Retro rated: Magnificent Seven

[danny_galaga]

"I don't think I ever rode shotgun on a hearse before!"  

Watched this on the telly last night. I hadn't seen it before, but I knew it was based on Seven Samurai, one of my favourite movies. It even mentions that fact in the opening credits! It had a lot to live up to in that regard. On the plus side is the ensemble cast. I love how Yul Bruyner walks exactly the same way as he did later in Westworld, where he plays a robot cowboy

The score is great, really matching the moods of the movie. I didn't know the Marloboro Man theme was from this movie.

Many scenes from the original appear in one form or another in Magnificent Seven. The wanna-be warrior who tags along for instance. Later he infiltrates the raiders camp. I haven't watched Seven Samurai for a while. You need to set a lot of time aside for that epic. Might do so again while Magnificent Seven is fresh in my mind.

What lets it down for me is how it compares to Seven Samurai. There is so much pathos in the Japanese version. Even the circumstance that we find the warriors in at the beginning is so pathetic. Our cowboys on the other hand are down, but certainly not reduced to working for a handful of rice! Also, the utterly brilliant battle in the rain wasn't emulated in the Western version. Sounds like a small point but it is one of the best scenes ever for me.

3.5/5

my score for recent movies you may have seen:

  5/5 - The Way Back, The Kings Speech, Michael Clayton, In Bruges, Gran Torino, Mary and Max

4.5/5 - Taken, Iron Man, Reign Over Me, Watchmen, The girl with the dragon tattoo

  4/5 - True Grit, Traitor, Bedtime Stories, Sunshine, pineapple express

3.5/5 - 300, Max Payne, You dont mess with the Zohan, Yes Man

  3/5 - That new Indiana Jones flick, Disturbia, That new TMNT flick,

2.5/5 - Angels and Demons

  2/5 - The Love Guru. Note: My 2 is probably someone elses 1. Just leaving room for worse!

[wp34]

I have not seen this in a while but remember being really let down the first time I finally did.  I'm a big western fan and had always thought this to be a classic.  Expectations may have been too high.  I'll need to watch it again. 

[Vigo]

I love both Seven Samurai and the Magnificent Seven. I try my hardest not to compare the two because they each put out a different feeling. Magnificent seven is a genuine classic in the Western Genre, but it is sort of a "Ocean's Eleven" Classic, where it relies on a compilation of brilliant, veteran actors to drive the movie.

It is also hard to emulate the distinct style of Kurosawa, who I would list in my top ten directors of all time, and this would be one of his finest movies.

If you want to see another Kurosawa piece gone western, Watch Yojimbo and Fist full of Dollars. Both are amazing movies.

[danny_galaga]

I love both Seven Samurai and the Magnificent Seven. I try my hardest not to compare the two because they each put out a different feeling. Magnificent seven is a genuine classic in the Western Genre, but it is sort of a "Ocean's Eleven" Classic, where it relies on a compilation of brilliant, veteran actors to drive the movie.

It is also hard to emulate the distinct style of Kurosawa, who I would list in my top ten directors of all time, and this would be one of his finest movies.

If you want to see another Kurosawa piece gone western, Watch Yojimbo and Fist full of Dollars. Both are amazing movies.

I think I've only seen 'Fistful of Dollars' once as a kid. Incidentally, one of my favourite movies of all time is 'The Good the Bad and the Ugly'. I only revisited it last year and it really has stood the test of time. I might have to make your comparison as shamefully I've only seen the one B & W Kurasawa flick. I have seen Ran, which is awesome. The westerns inspired by Kurasawa are interesting in the fact that Kurasawa drew inspiration from Westerns in the first place    Or Shakespeare in the case of Ran.

[wp34]

I didn't realize Kurosawa did Hidden Fortress as well.  Lucas credits that movie as a major influence for Star Wars.  I've only seen parts of Fortress but you can see where Lucas got the inspiration for the R2 and Threepio if you are looking for it.

[danny_galaga]

I didn't realize Kurosawa did Hidden Fortress as well.  Lucas credits that movie as a major influence for Star Wars.  I've only seen parts of Fortress but you can see where Lucas got the inspiration for the R2 and Threepio if you are looking for it.

HA! Forgotten about that one! So I HAVE seen another B & W Kurasawa! It's quite forgettable though...

[wp34]

I think I've only seen 'Fistful of Dollars' once as a kid. Incidentally, one of my favourite movies of all time is 'The Good the Bad and the Ugly'. I only revisited it last year and it really has stood the test of time.

Give For A Few Dollars More another look.  I love all three and the second one is the best IMHO.  Once Upon A Time in the West is very good as well.

[Hoopz]

I went on a Steve McQueen kick a few years ago and finally saw Magnificent Seven.  I enjoyed it.  I haven't taken the time to see any Kurosawa films yet but I want to.


Danny, have you seen other McQueen films? I still need to watch Bullet, but The Great Escape is great as is the Cincinnati Kid.

[Vigo]

I haven't seen the Cincinnati Kid, but I love both the other Mcqueen films.

Just don't make the mistake of watching Bullitt on a small tv. Half the fun is getting dizzy watching the big chase scene it on a large screen.

The Great Escape is an absolute must see for anybody. Great cast all around, and while it might have sugercoated the gravity of the situation to showcase the actors more, they got the escape methods down very accurately.

[wp34]

What surprised me about Bullitt was that the car chase lived up to the hype.  It is really something to see.

[danny_galaga]

I went on a Steve McQueen kick a few years ago and finally saw Magnificent Seven.  I enjoyed it.  I haven't taken the time to see any Kurosawa films yet but I want to.


Danny, have you seen other McQueen films? I still need to watch Bullet, but The Great Escape is great as is the Cincinnati Kid.

I've seen Bullitt, and The Great Escape. Great Escape happens to be another favourite of mine. There seems to be a 'six degrees of favourites of mine' going on 

The car chase in Bullitt is most excellent. Another cool car chase is in The French Connection...

[Hoopz]

I'll try and get to Bullitt soon.  I highly recommend The Cincinnati Kid.  Edward G. Robinson is great in it too.