The Magnificent Seven (1960)

Directed by John Sturges. Starring Yul Brynner, Charles Bronson, Horst Buchholz, Steve McQueen, Brad Dexter, Eli Wallach, Robert Vaughn, James Coburn, Vladimir Sokoloff, Jorge Martinez de Hoyos, Rosenda Monteros, Rico Alaniz, Natividad Vacío, Pepe Hern.

John Sturges’ elaborate reworking of Akira Kurosawa’s Seven Samurai may not be a great movie, but it’s sure-handed, rough-and-rowdy entertainment. Basic story is the same aside from a swap in setting and weaponry: a poor Mexican village hires a group of gunfighters to defend them from bandits that regularly raid for food and supplies. The titular septet is comprised mostly of actors with limited exposure who later became stars; Brynner’s cool decisiveness, Bronson’s hard-luck integrity, and Coburn’s taciturn prowess stand out, while McQueen surprisingly gets very little to do besides trying to steal attention in Brynner’s shadow, and Buchholz botches the unenviable task of following in the flashy footsteps of Toshirô Mifune’s excitable firebrand. Solid action scenes and Wallach’s colorful villain help perk things up from time to time, but Sturges struggles to keep a steady pace and provide consistent dramatic interest in the villagers’ plights. Aside from the core concept and the striking visuals of rootin’ tootin’ saddle bums pulling iron, the only thing that lingers long after is Elmer Bernstein’s instantly-recognizable score. Followed by several sequels, a television series, and a 2016 remake.

77/100