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- A Star-Studded Western Extravaganza
- The Magnificent Seven Production Was Plagued by Hurdles and Headaches
- The Magnificent Seven Is a True Masterpiece in the Western Genre
- The Magnificent Seven Becomes a Celebrated Classic
As someone who grew up in the golden age of Hollywood, I can confidently say that The Magnificent Seven stands out as one of the most iconic Western films of all time. Having witnessed the rise and fall of countless stars during my years in Tinseltown, I’ve learned to appreciate the true gems that manage to leave a lasting impact on both critics and audiences alike.
Acclaimed as one of the finest and most revered Western films of the 20th century, the 1960 classic The Magnificent Seven showcased several prominent leading actors from Hollywood, including Yul Brynner, Steve McQueen, and Charles Bronson. This thrilling reinterpretation was based on the well-known Japanese epic and stars a band of unconventional gunfighters who are hired to safeguard a peaceful Mexican village from ruthless outlaws led by the wicked Calvera (Eli Wallach).
By the time The Magnificent Seven was released, Westerns were a certified staple on the silver screen and were fan-favorites among curious moviegoers, with the spellbinding flick becoming one of the revered entries in the “Golden Age of the Western” (1940 to 1960). The cinema extravaganza served as a stepping stone in the careers of its illustrious cast, namely Steve McQueen, who would go on to dominate Hollywood in the ensuing decades. Lovers of both the actors and genre will be happy to know that they can relive the excitement of The Magnificent Seven, as it is now available to stream for free. Let’s take a look at the history of the hit film.
A Star-Studded Western Extravaganza
In the spirit of some iconic leading men from classic Hollywood, such as Yul Brynner, Steve McQueen, Charles Bronson, and Robert Vaughn, the 1960 Western film The Magnificent Seven serves as a Wild West adaptation of the innovative Japanese epic Seven Samurai. The story revolves around an assorted team of talented gunfighters who are called upon to safeguard the residents of a secluded Mexican village when they recruit them for defending against a lethal gang of outlaws. These cunning shooters must unite their skills to educate the villagers in self-defense tactics, and collectively, they devise a strategy to ensnare these dangerous bandits.
In the films “The Ten Commandments” and “The King and I”, Yul Brynner depicts Chris Adams, the head of a band of outcast gunmen. This Cajun marksman assembles a team of skilled assassins to confront the villainous group led by Calvera, played by Eli Wallach. Along the way, he gathers individuals such as the gambling-addicted wanderer Vin Tanner (portrayed by Steve McQueen), the war-scarred Lee (Vaughn), and the money-driven assassin Bernardo O’Reilly (Bronson). As they educate the defenseless townspeople in self-defense and navigate their own internal conflicts, a mutual respect for each other’s abilities grows among them, setting the stage for an unforgettable battle.
The Magnificent Seven Production Was Plagued by Hurdles and Headaches
In 1960, Yul Brynner led the way for the esteemed cast of “The Magnificent Seven” when filming began. His production company acquired the rights to remake the movie for $10,000. Initially, Brynner intended to direct the film and had Anthony Quinn in mind for the lead role. However, a lawsuit ensued when Brynner opted for a different direction, as Quinn claimed breach of contract. Unfortunately for Quinn, no written agreement existed, so his claim was dismissed. John Sturges, who had previously worked with Steve McQueen on “Never So Few,” was hired to direct the remake and was keen on casting McQueen following their collaboration.
McQueen eagerly looked forward to teaming up with Sturges again, but found himself in a tricky situation when it came to joining “The Magnificent Seven” since producer Dick Powell wouldn’t grant him a break from his successful TV series “Wanted Dead or Alive.” Determined McQueen resorted to his skills as a racer to orchestrate a staged car crash, feigning a whiplash injury that necessitated wearing a neck brace. With this ruse in place, McQueen could supposedly recover while secretly taking on the role of Vin Tanner in the Western.
In the end, all the effort exerted to secure McQueen’s role in The Magnificent Seven led to significant friction on set, as the presence of this renowned actor strained the relationship between leading man Brynner and McQueen. Despite Brynner himself asking for McQueen on the TV screen, their collaboration was marked by immediate conflict during filming. Reportedly, McQueen resented his minimal lines in the original script (a rather amusing coincidence), but Sturges promised him more opportunities behind the camera. McQueen and Brynner frequently argued while filming, with McQueen seizing every chance to outshine Brynner and draw attention away from him in each scene. Remarkably, despite their intense rivalry, The Magnificent Seven still proved to be a significant cinematic success.
The Magnificent Seven Is a True Masterpiece in the Western Genre
Following some backstage drama and tension, “The Magnificent Seven” officially premiered on October 12, 1960, much to the excitement of audiences. However, despite the film’s strong Western genre and star-studded cast, it only managed to gross $2.25 million at the North American box office, a figure that fell short of expectations. On the other hand, the movie performed exceptionally well overseas, particularly in Europe, where it amassed an impressive $7.5 million. This international success significantly boosted its overall earnings, which totaled $9.75 million against a production budget of just $2 million.
The Magnificent Seven garnered critical acclaim for its lively performances, gripping plot, and high-energy action, with renowned composer Elmer Bernstein providing the memorable soundtrack. Known for his work on more than 150 film scores, such as True Grit, To Kill a Mockingbird, Animal House, and The Blues Brothers, Bernstein’s distinctive score for this movie also earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Score due to its iconic main theme.
The Magnificent Seven Becomes a Celebrated Classic
There’s no argument that the Western film, The Magnificent Seven, was a powerful success when it first came out, but over the years since its debut, the film’s impact has only become more significant. This is largely because of its impressive ensemble cast of emerging stars and an unforgettable soundtrack. Notable actors like Steve McQueen, Charles Bronson, and Eli Wallach delivered remarkable performances in The Magnificent Seven, with McQueen eventually earning the title “King of Cool” and going on to star in popular movies such as The Cincinnati Kid, Bullitt, and The Great Escape.
Wallach accumulated an impressive acting portfolio, notably sharing screen time with Clint Eastwood in the iconic spaghetti Western film, “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly“, as well as “How the West Was Won” and “The Godfather Part III“. Similarly, Bronson rose to stardom, gracing films such as “The Great Escape” and “The Dirty Dozen“, while a host of talented actors who worked in the acclaimed 1960 film “The Magnificent Seven” quickly captivated Hollywood. The success of “The Magnificent Seven” spawned several sequels, but only Yul Brynner reprised his character Chris Adams for the 1966 sequel, “Return of the Seven“, with none equaling the original’s success.
In 2016, a new version of the film titled “The Magnificent Seven” was released, featuring popular actors such as Denzel Washington, Chris Pratt, and Ethan Hawke. It was revealed in 2023 that a television adaptation of this well-regarded Western is underway. Many subsequent films have drawn inspiration from “The Magnificent Seven”, but none have been able to rekindle the enchantment and thrill that the original ’60s classic provided its audience. The film will always be remembered as one of the most exceptional and revered Westerns produced during the 20th century. You can stream “The Magnificent Seven” on The Roku Channel and Tubi.
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2024-09-08 03:31