Guns of the Magnificent Seven (1969)

User Rating:

5.3/10   

Director:

Paul Wendkos

Writer:

Herman Hoffman (written by)

Release Date:

14 July 1969 (Denmark)

Genre:

Action | Western | Adventure | Drama

Tagline:

The Magnificent Seven are back - and they don't aim to please.

Plot:

A Mexican revolutionary hires an American gunslinger to organize the rescue of their leader from a brutal army prison. |

Plot Keywords:

Prison | Interrupted Hanging | Sharpshooter | Mexican Revolution | Buried To Neck

Cast

George Kennedy	...	Chris
James Whitmore	...	Levi
Monte Markham	...	Keno
Reni Santoni	...	Max
Bernie Casey	...	Cassie
Scott Thomas	...	P.J.
Joe Don Baker	...	Slater
Tony Davis	...	Emil
Michael Ansara	...	Col. Diego
Frank Silvera	...	Lobero
Wende Wagner	...	Tina
Sancho Gracia	...	Miguel
Luis Rivera	...	Lt. Prensa
George Rigaud	...	Gabriel (as Jorge Rigaud)
Fernando Rey	...	Quintero

Runtime:

105 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

Finland:K-16 | Norway:16 | Sweden:15 | UK:PG | USA:G | West Germany:12

Filming Locations:

Almería, Andalucía, Spain

Company:

Mirisch Corporation, The

Trivia:

Despite bearing no resemblance to Yul Brynner, including a full head of hair, George Kennedy takes over the role of Chris Adams, played by Brynner in the first two films. Even Adams' trademark dark clothing is gone. What remains is the steel resolve and affinity for cigars.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: When Lorca is shot in the chest, the blood pack in his shirt is visible for quite a while.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Col. Diego: Where is the meeting?
Tortured Prisoner: In the church.
Col. Diego: Is Quintero with them?
Tortured Prisoner: Yes.

Movie Connections:

Follows Return of the Seven (1966)

Why Do I Own The DVD?

Okay, so it's not as good as the original, but it's definitely better than the "Return of the Magnificent Seven" and a gazillion times better than "Magnificent Seven Ride!" (which I had to turn off 30 minutes in because it was too painful to watch). The previous reviewer feels "Guns" is long and boring...I agree it is too long, but it's far more interesting than the second and fourth films. I feel "Guns" must be separated and stand on its own. If compared to the original, it is a sub-par sequel, but as a stand-alone Western, it has some really nice moments.

Most of the actors are young and inexperienced, which wouldn't be as noticeable if they hadn't cast James Whitmore...the guy is a brilliant character actor...you can't take your eyes off of him...his scenes with a little Mexican boy who has been burned out of his home and whose father has been imprisoned are wonderful...every scene Whitmore is in is charged with energy and life...I have always been befuddled why he never became the huge star he deserves to be. There is something about Monte Markham I have always liked...he doesn't have the screen presence for films, but I always felt he could have been a huge TV star given the opportunity...unfortunately, after the opening scene, the script gives him little to do. I thought Reni Santoni was fun to watch...he veered into over-acting a few times, but overall I enjoyed his performance...he had a few really nice moments. I enjoyed the relationship between Joe Don Baker and Bernie Casey and felt they had some nice moments, too. For whatever reason, the script leaves less-than-nothing for Scott Thomas to do...he is the most forgettable one of the group. In spite of the atrocious blonde toupee, I was surprised to find that I enjoyed George Kennedy as Chris. Few men could ever come close to having the screen presence of Yul Brynner, but if one takes this movie on its own, Kennedy does a good, solid job.

I fully concede that this is a mediocre film, but I can't help but smile whenever the theme starts to play. For some reason I have fun watching this movie and if you are in the mood for light entertainment, then I really think this one is worth a try.