REVIEW: The Magnificent Seven (Released in 1960) [60th Anniversary]

DIRECTOR/PRODUCER: John Sturges

WRITER: William Roberts

PERFORMERS: Yul Brenner Eli Wallach Steve McQueen Charles Brosnon Robert Vaghun

Brad Dexter James Coburn and introducing Hortz Buchholz

The first time I discovered this movie was through the soundtrack attached to it. As I got older I used to hear Elmer Bernstein's classic theme almost everywhere and I could not get enough of it. Then I set out to watch this film to see for myself just what the big deal was, soon enough I found myself in for more than I anticipated. In a time where I grew up in, westerns were considered a thing of the past, but this is what brought it back when needed most. For it's 60th year, we'll be looking at one of the most magnificent westerns ever made and perhaps the most memorable from the period time of when westerns were a big deal.

Based on 'The Seven Samurai' released four years prior, this film is a revision of seven men defending a helpless nation, this time told taking place in the days of the Old West. The film was about seven gunmen hired by village folks to defend their homes against a ruthless bandit played by Eli Wallach and his posse. Led by Yul Brenner and Steve McQueen, they along with five other men help and prepare the people to take back what's theirs and from that point on, it's an all out battle for freedom. Honestly, the chemistry between these men was what kept me hooked to this film, as it happens without chemistry, the film doesn't work and here they made it work. The one character I was mostly invested in was the one Horst Buchholz played. At the time he was a newcomer and like a fish out of water looking to expand his horizon, with his masterful performance in this film he was like a young man among these other heavyweights and coming into his own, you really felt you were him at some point in your past life and you remember what it was like to be in his shoes. As for the others, who can deny the electricity between Brenner and McQueen, they were like brothers in every scene they were in together, especially at the beginning where they're riding through the streets and take out several bandits successfully on their own. Seeing James Coburn in one of his earlier roles was also interesting because he looked younger than he did in the films I saw him in which were later.

Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace.” - NEHEMIAH 2:17 NIV

While I was watching this film it reminded me so much about the book of Nehemiah, which was about a descendant of God sent into a city to rebuild it after being taken down by several oppressors. In this case Wallach's character robbing a city and their residents of their earnings for himself and leaving them with nothing. When Brenner and his hand picked group come on to the scene, they represent this beacon of hope that Nehemiah was to Jerusalem. They even prepared the people for Wallach's return and once he arrived the seven men were either on rooftops at every corner or in certain fields like they had been standing guard for days. Just like the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem, these guys rebuilt the town's courage in standing up to the bandits as well as reclaiming their vulnerable town. The reason why this story is so effective is because of what it represents. By rebuilding a home, you're also rebuilding what was lost or just discovered. While being abused and used by Wallach, he at one point even mentions 'God would not have made his people vulnerable if he didn't want them to be that way'. Even in the beginning, you see how cocky and arrogant he is, believing the ones who have everything are over privileged and feeling entitled to deprive them of their supplies because he despises the idea of hard work and earning your keep. This is where the seven heroes come in just as Nehemiah did. They are brought in to put an end to his attempts and in doing so, they forget about the fact they're being paid to do what they do and end up fighting for the whole town (PHILIPPIANS 1:6 NIV). That goes to show just how much of a difference can be made in these times of oppression and corruption vs. perseverance and triumph (1 CORINTHIANS 16:13 NIV).

The writing of the film is fantastic and considering the times these guys were in, it was all what made this film so great. I have to say the music however is perhaps the one thing about this film people will remember forever. The main theme is I think, what got people hooked on it especially in my generation. I recall a day when I had that theme playing in my head all day long and it had me so excited that I would imagine myself as a cowboy, riding a horse going into battle and taking down bad guys and it felt so amazing to me that I thought of what times in the Old West were actually like. Nothing like today for sure, but much less than accessible compared to today's times where everything is now modernized, advanced and accessible. Still, nothing like a good feeling of being a heroic cowboy for a day, even if it's just pretend.

Before I send-off this review into the sunset, I also want to clarify that there was nothing about this film I did not enjoy. The stars (may they all rest in peace), the action, the timing and music were everything you needed in a film like this. Maybe the box office numbers were disappointing but I'm sure the reception was better received than ticket sales. What followed was a series of follow-ups from a TV series to another version from four years ago (and yes I did see that one too and it was just as great as this, but more gritty and wit) and it hasn't seem to lose it's touch ever since. Very few westerns came and went over the years and some were just as financially successful as well as widely-received by audiences and critics alike. But when you look back at this film you start to see why Westerns became popular in Hollywood again. Happy 60th Anniversary to The Magnificent Seven!!! #anniversaryreviews #filmsof1960 #remakes #westernclassics #themagnificentseven1960 #TMS60 #60thanniversary