 Film snobs can not like The Magnificent Seven. The
film is, after all, a reworking of Akira Kurosawa’s Seven Samurai (Film
snob protocol dictates that I note this in my second sentence!). Samurai is
an undisputed classic that appears on many “all time best films” lists. Can Magnificent
Seven thus be anything but an ugly bastard child?
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Well, yes…yes,
it can! For one thing, the movie - originally released in 1960 - has survived
the test of time. It proved tremendously popular, became one of the most-shown
movies on television and spawned three sequels. As recently as 1998, it
spawned a television series. In 2006, the movie merited this special two
disc collection. The Magnificent Seven has fans, and it’s
unlikely to ride into the sunset anytime soon.
One can also
make a case for its historic impact. Film historian Sir Christopher Frayling
calls it “one of the most influential Westerns ever made.” He
cites the use of mercenary heroes, the Mexican setting and what he calls “the
samurai/gunfighter thing.” He notes that all these elements became
more prominent in later Westerns, including Butch Cassidy and the Sundance
Kid and the films of Sam Peckinpah and Sergio Leone (Leone, of course, also
adapted a Kurosawa film as a Western.). As directors evoked Kurosawa
- and each other - so did others evoke them!
The Magnificent
Seven is often termed a “remake” of Seven Samurai. I’d
argue that it’s more accurately an “adaptation.” It doesn’t
retell the same story, as much as it condenses it and refits it for a different
genre. It’s not nearly as ambitious as Samurai and doesn’t
accomplish as much. It’s this quality, I suspect, thatprompts some
critics to dismiss it. Personally, I  believe that the adaptation works
and that the aforementioned “refitting” was expertly accomplished. Whatever
its faults, The Magnificent Seven is a rollicking good Western!
Director John
Sturges deserves much credit for this. Sturges was a solid action director
and by 1960, he had several Westerns on his resume. These included Bad
Day at Black Rock, Gunfight at the O.K. Corral and Last Train
to Gun Hill. He would go on to direct The Great Escape, a
World War II drama that, like The Magnificent Seven, boasted a large,
notable cast (including MS alumni Steve McQueen, James Coburn and Charles
Bronson). Sturges reportedly asserted that he was “not an arty director.” He
had a flair for action films, though, and he ensured that Magnificent Seven was
a darn good shoot `em up!
When the film
diverts from its Japanese source, it’s often for good affect. The war between
the heroes and bandits unfolds differently, for example, but we must remember
that technology is now more advanced. The Samurai’s  ploys would prove
less effective when every villain sports a firearm. The altered developments
also bring the film to a more action-packed climax, with a stirring gunfight
in the denouement. Once again, Sturges never forgot that he was making
a Western.
Magnificent
Seven also boasts a more prominent villain. Whereas the bandits in Seven
Samurai barely spoke, MS gives us Eli Wallach as a colorful heavy. This,
too, provides a more traditional element of Western films and adds a personal
face to the conflict.
To match a
good villain, you need a good hero, and The Magnificent Seven gives
us…well…seven! Just for the record, they are Yul Brynner,
Steve McQueen, Brad Dexter, Charles Bronson, James Coburn, Robert Vaughn and
Horst Bucholz. By today’s standards, this movie seems positively
star studded. Yet, it wasn’t in 1960! Byrnner was
the veteran star, and the  others were just beginning to attract some notice. That
they did become big stars enhances the “cool factor” for
today’s audience. Theyportray a potpourri of stock Western character
types, which again, shows the film playing to the conventions of its genre.
Magnificent
Seven is never ashamed to be a Western. The script isn’t as
layered as Seven Samurai, but when it does delve into gray areas, it
explores them within a Western context. There’s a great scene, for
example, where the Seven debate the pro’s and con’s of being gunfighters. They
regret having no family and no ties. On the other hand, they also note
that they don’t suffer any insults. Naturally, such “freedom” comes
with a price.
Ultimately, Magnificent
Seven is a fine piece of Americana with Japanese roots. It influenced
many subsequent Westerns, proved exceedingly popular and is a heck of a lot of
fun. Those who deem it an inferior Seven Samurai knock-off might
wish to give it another look.
DVD Presentation
The movie
was mastered in high definition, and the picture is very sharp and clear. I
was surprised at how good the film looked. The movie is presented in 2:35:1
anamorphic widescreen format. Language options include English Mono and
English, French and Spanish in Dolby Digital 5.1. Subtitles are available
in English, French and Spanish.
Extras
I typically
enjoy extras most when a movie is at least a couple decades old. Time passage
allows for more reflection and a better ability to evaluate a work within its
historical context. Of course, there’s also a danger of waiting too long. Do
that, and many of the people originally associated with the film will no longer
be with us.
 There were
times when I wished that this collector’s edition had been completed just
a few years earlier. Today, Robert Vaughn is the sole surviving member
of the original Seven. Fortunately, most of the others passed away only
a few years ago, and the collector’s edition includes interview footage
with some now deceased. James Coburn, who died in 2002, speaks on one of
the commentary tracks. Eli Wallach - currently 91 years old - also provides
audio commentary and appears in a good share of interview footage. While
one might wish to hear from more of the original cast and crew, we’re also
blessed that so many of them are here.
In
fact, this film, released in 1960, is now in an interesting position, historically
speaking: Those with firsthand involvement appear on a dvd with younger
film scholars who study the era! The two commentary tracks allow one to
experience both perspectives. On one, we hear from Eli Wallach, James Coburn
and Magnificent Seven Producer Walter Mirisch and Assistant Director
Robert Relyea. On the other, we hear from Sir Christopher Frayling, a film
historian with special affection for the Western genre. I thought that
both commentaries were wonderful and provided a lot of insight.
 Disc 2 contains
the Making of The Magnificent Seven documentary, three featurettes and
a photo gallery. The Making of… documentary clocks in at
over forty-six minutes. It details the film’s development and shooting,
and provides interviews and insight from cast and crew. Frankly, I thought
it was excellent. The featurettes include a retrospective with Sir Christopher
Frayling, a look at Elmer Bernstein’s famous score and a piece on the film’s “linen
book,” i.e. a book of photo stills originally used for the movie’s
promotion and design. These archival photos can also be viewed on the dvd’s
photo gallery. There’s a wealth of information, anecdotes and reflections
on all these extras - more than can be adequately described in a short review. Suffice
it to say that if you like the movie or enjoy studying film history, then you’ll
have a great time watching this dvd. I know that I did.
The Bottom Line
As you can
probably tell from my review, I loved this whole collection . If you’re
a fan of the film, then you must buy this. It’s a “Collector’s
Edition” that lives up to its name!
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