The Magnificent Seven 1960 Film

Starring Yul Brynner. Co-starring Eli Wallach, Steve McQueen, Charles Bronson, Robert Vaughan. James Coburn and Brad Dexter. And introducing Horst Buchholz.

Originally released by Metro Goldwyn Mayer and released through United Artists Entertainment from Transamerica Corporation. Filmed in Panavision.

Distributed on Home DVD by MGM DVD.

Running time of 128 mins. No rating. Aspect ratio of 2.35:1. Filmed with Panavision anamorphic lenses. Color by De Luxe, Hollywood, CA. Negative and printed format is 35mm.

Our Hero is named Chris “The Leader,” played by Yul Brynner. The second in command is Vin “The Dangerous One,” played by Steve McQueen. The Antagonist is Calvera “The Bandido,” (The Evil One) played by Eli Wallach. Each character is introduced, as he is indoctrinated into forming The Mag Seven team: The Mexican (Charles Bronson), Harry Luck (Brad Dexter), Britt “The Knife & Gun Guy” (James Coburn), Lee “The Gambler” (Robert Vaughan), and Chico “The Violent One” (German actor Horst Buchholz).

The Central Conflict is setup in the first sequence, where the Farmers are having their corn stolen by Calvera, who must “feed his men before winter sets in.” So instead of growing it or working for it (as echoed by 2 of the Mag Seven men), they steal it from the villagers. The 3 Farmers go to the Priestly Leader and ask what they should do, and he advises them “to fight. Or, if you cannot fight, then go buy some guns.” The farmers know they cannot fight Calvera’s army of 35 men, so that leaves the other option.

The 3 Farmers seek out Chris, who has morally buried one of their Mexican men, along with Vin’s help, at the edge of town. Classic Yul Brynner! Loved it. At the end of this scene, comes the famous Musical score…

Once the Mag Seven are assembled, the plot plays out like a classic Western. Villagers learn to shoot rifles from the Gunslingers, and fight for their Corn, which is part of their livelihood. There is a Love Story between Petra and Chico (aka “The Kid”). <Where do you think Magic Mike got that idea from?>

Along the way, Mag Seven men are hurt or shot down in the Showdown Scene. Excellent stuff! So much testerone that you could see it on the screen. Classic Western one-liners. Western Imagery started here (Lone cowboy in black, Chaps, Cowboy hat, Corral sign at the end of town, Shooting through the Saloon window while riding through town, Waterwell, Livery, Bar).

There were only 3 production companies involved in this JV – The Mirisch Company, Alpha Productions and Alpha. With the independent production companies involved, and selling it to MGM, the list for Home Distribution far outstrips the production company list. My research (up to this point) shows that the movie was popular in Argentina, Netherlands, Finland, West Germany and France from 1960 to 1961; the USA was not initially receptive to the film, until its re-release into the U.S. market.

Television increased the series’ popularity with ABC airing in 1963.

Directed by John Sturges.
Written by William Roberts.
Produced by the Mirisch Company, Walter Mirisch, John Sturges and Lou Morheim.
Music by Elmer Bernstein. Mono sound.
Cinematography by Charles Lang.
Film editing by Ferris Webster.
Art direction by Edward Fitzgerald.
Set decoration by Rafael Suarez.
Makeup by Emile LaVigne and Daniel Striepke.
Production management department (Francisco “Chico” Day, Allen K. Wood, Hubert Frohlich, and John Veitch).
Second Unit Directors (Jaime Contreras, Robert E. Relyea, Emilio Fernandez, Jerome M. Siegel).
Art or Property department is Sam Gordon.
Sound department (Del Harris, Rafael Ruiz Esparza and Jack Solomon).
Special effects by Milt Rice.
Stunts performed by Larry Duran, Bob Terhune, Jack Williams and Stunt Coordinator Henry Wills (who performed stunts, too!).
Stunt doubles: Jerry Gatlin (for Buchholtz, Wallach, Bronson and Vaughn), Chuck Hayward (for Yul Brynner), Loren Janes (for Steve McQueen), Leroy Johnson (for Yul Brynner) and Jimmy Reno (for James Coburn).
Camera and Electrical department (Hugh Crawford, Jack Harris, Kenneth Meade, Kyme Meade and Don Stott).
Costume and wardrobe by Bert Henrikson.
Music department (Robert Bain, Jack Hayes, Leo Shuken).
Other crew: Thom Conroy (Dialogue Director), John Franco (Script continuity) and “Chema” Hernandez (Head wrangler).

The desert scenes and Western Town set was built and shot in Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico. The State of Morelos was used for most of the desert and scrub forest scenes. Estudios Churubusco Azteca in Mexico City was the studio. Other locations included Bavispe, Sonora; Tepoztlan, Morelos; Durango, Mexico; 201 S. Kinney Road in Tucson, AZ for some Interior scene reshoots.

Please read my other Film Review for The Magnificent Seven (2016), to see what differs from the 1960 version.

As a backgrounder, if you’re a film buff, check out Guns for Hire featurette (2001) Review. This explains how the original film was made, and was quite interesting to watch, as most of these influential people are no longer with us.