Gunslingers have this mystique, it's hard to describe, but one looks at them with a mixture of awe and admiration. Are they role models, not at all, and yet they are considered heroes. The film "The Magnificent Seven" shows a different side to the life of a hired gun: the morality issues. A small Mexican town is run by the bandit Calvera (Wallach). Several times a year he rides into town, with his gang of bandits, and takes all the food the people have. The peasants reach their breaking point and decide to buy guns. Three of their men ride across the border where they meet gunslinger Chris (Brynner) who suggests "why don't you hire men? Men are cheaper than guns these days".
Chris agrees to help the men by assembling a team of gunslingers: seven in all. These men are the best of the best with their respective trades, but they are hardly the nicest men to be around. There is Vin (McQueen), O'Reily (Bronson), Harry (Dexter), Lee (Vaughn), Chico (Buchholz), and Britt (Coburn): each is his own biggest competition "if he's the best, with whom does he compete?", the answer is "himself". Each is flawed, hardened to this lifestyle which he hates but can never be rid of, with the exception of Chico (this is his first job). When Calvera rides into town he is met by 3 of the 7. Having a crew of 40, he is not worried and knows the village is poor (thus unable to hire many men). One by one the rest of the men make their presence known, and while he still isn't worried, he is shocked that so many professionals would help a poor village:
Chris agrees to help the men by assembling a team of gunslingers: seven in all. These men are the best of the best with their respective trades, but they are hardly the nicest men to be around. There is Vin (McQueen), O'Reily (Bronson), Harry (Dexter), Lee (Vaughn), Chico (Buchholz), and Britt (Coburn): each is his own biggest competition "if he's the best, with whom does he compete?", the answer is "himself". Each is flawed, hardened to this lifestyle which he hates but can never be rid of, with the exception of Chico (this is his first job). When Calvera rides into town he is met by 3 of the 7. Having a crew of 40, he is not worried and knows the village is poor (thus unable to hire many men). One by one the rest of the men make their presence known, and while he still isn't worried, he is shocked that so many professionals would help a poor village:
"We deal in lead friend"
"Me too, that makes us the same"
"Only as competitors"
...but his shock leads to outrage when they stand their ground and fight him. This is the best scene in the film: the dialogue as Calvera meets his competition, the battle, and the satisfied looks at the end (don't worry, the film doesn't end here), it doesn't get much better than that:)
This film has a little bit of everything, there is even a love story. As I was watching the film I was impressed that they added authentic cricket noises in the background...and then I realized my window was open. Each of the characters is flawed, but it's hard not to like them despite or perhaps because of their flaws. As Chico raves about their job, and how their gun has given them everything, they explain the things they don't have: a family, a home, security: the things so many people desire. Perhaps they don't have any enemies...alive, but they have to live with the decisions they've made. In the end, each character finds redemption: they may be bad men, but they are willing to risk everything, including their lives, to free this small village.
Dude, it's quotable: the dialogue is excellent...mmm, i love a film with good dialogue
Buy it without seeing it: it's a classic!!
The Magnificent Seven (1960) 128 minutes
Director: John Sturges
Starring: Yul Brynner as Chris Adams
Eli Wallach as Calvera
Steve McQueen as Vin Tanner
Horst Buchholz as Chico
Charles Bronson as Bernardo O'Reilly
Robert Vaughn as Lee Basset
James Coburn as Britt Avery
Brad Dexter as Harry Luck
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