The Magnificent Seven is a 2016 American Western action film directed by Antoine Fuqua and written by Nic Pizzolatto and Richard Wenk.
It is a remake of the 1960 film of the same name, which itself was a remake of Akira Kurosawa’s 1954 film Seven Samurai. The film stars Denzel Washington, Chris Pratt, Ethan Hawke, Vincent D'Onofrio, Lee Byung-hun, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, Martin Sensmeier, Peter Sarsgaard, and Haley Bennett.
The movie premiered on September 8, 2016, at the 2016 Toronto International Film Festival and was released in the United States on September 23, 2016, by Sony Pictures Releasing. The film received mixed reviews from critics, with the cast, action sequences, and score being praised, but the story and screenplay received criticism.
It was a moderate success, grossing $162 million worldwide on a production budget of $90 million.
Plot
The plot revolves around a group of seven gunmen from different backgrounds who are brought together by a vengeful young widow to protect her town from the private army of a destructive industrialist.
The town of Rose Creek is under the control of the industrialist Bartholomew Bogue, and the desperate townspeople seek protection from the seven outlaws, bounty hunters, gamblers, and hired guns.
As they prepare the town for the impending showdown, the seven mercenaries find themselves fighting for more than just money.
They have one week to train the inexperienced townsfolk for the arrival of Bogue and his armed-to-the-teeth cut-throats. The film showcases the bonding of the seven with the townsfolk as they prepare for the violent confrontation.
Full Cast
- Denzel Washington as Sam Chisolm
- Chris Pratt as Josh Faraday
- Ethan Hawke as Goodnight Robicheaux
- Vincent D'Onofrio as Jack Horne
- Byung-hun Lee as Billy Rocks
- Manuel Garcia-Rulfo as Vasquez
- Martin Sensmeier as Red Harvest
- Peter Sarsgaard as Bartholomew Bogue
- Haley Bennett as Emma Cullen
- Luke Grimes as Teddy Q
- Matt Bomer as Matthew Cullen
- Cam Gigandet as McCann
- Emil Beheshti as Maxwell
- Mark Ashworth as Preacher
- Billy Slaughter as Josiah
- Jonathan Joss as Denali
- David Kallaway as Turner
- Vinnie Jones as Uncredited
Director: Antoine Fuqua
Writer: Nic Pizzolatto, Richard Wenk
Box Office Gross: $162,360,636
Distributor: Sony Pictures Entertainment
Genre: Western, Action, Adventure
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 23, 2016
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 20, 2016
Themes & reception
The themes and reception of The Magnificent Seven (2016) encompass various aspects, including the iconic musical score, story structure, and the film's modern adaptation of classic Western elements.
Themes
The film's iconic musical score, composed by Elmer Bernstein, features the rousing "Magnificent Seven Theme," which has become iconic and is celebrated for its heroic and rousing glory. The infusion of the soundscape with Mexican auras and nativist folk music was masterful, creating an authentic and vibrant setting for the story.
The story structure of the film involves major plot points such as the assembling of the team of gunfighters, their departure for the village, and the confrontation with the antagonist, Calvera. The film also addresses themes of camaraderie, justice, and the willingness to fight for the helpless, which are central to the narrative.
Reception
The film received mixed reviews from critics. While the cast, action sequences, and score were praised, the story and screenplay received criticism. Some critics found the film to be entertaining and a newly diversified take on the classic Western, while others described it as boldly entering mediocrity and lacking the magic of the original.
Challenges Faced
During the production of The Magnificent Seven (2016), the filmmakers faced several challenges and undertook extensive efforts to achieve the desired cinematic style and visual authenticity.
Visual Effects and Cinematic Style
The film incorporated a significant amount of visual effects work, with 700 shots delivered across the movie, making it the largest project for the visual effects team at Zero VFX.
Despite the heavy use of visual effects, the goal was to maintain a gritty and thrilling feel without the visuals feeling digital or enhanced. The team worked extensively during pre-production to establish the film's cinematic style, collaborating with the director and production designer to achieve this goal.
Post-Production Challenges
One of the challenges faced during production was the addition of a postscript scene after the principal photography had wrapped. This presented a logistical and creative challenge, as it required the inclusion of a scene long after the tactile sets had been demolished.
The addition of this scene, along with other creative decisions, contributed to mixed reviews from critics, with some expressing concerns about the film's ending and its thematic execution.
Pre-Production Efforts
The production team engaged in extensive pre-production work, including look development, animation, stills, previsualization, and tests for every aspect of the story. This early involvement and thorough pre-production work were crucial in shaping the visual and narrative elements of the film, contributing to its overall cinematic impact.
In summary, the production of The Magnificent Seven (2016) involved significant visual effects work, pre-production efforts to establish the film's cinematic style, and post-production challenges related to creative decisions and the addition of a postscript scene.
These efforts and challenges played a role in shaping the visual and narrative aspects of the film, contributing to its reception and impact on audiences.
Setting
The setting of The Magnificent Seven (2016) is a small town called Rose Creek, located in the southwestern United States. The town is under the control of the industrialist Bartholomew Bogue, who is terrorizing the townspeople and exploiting their resources.
The film showcases the dusty and rugged landscapes of the American West, with the town and its surrounding areas serving as the primary setting for the story. The film's iconic musical score, composed by Elmer Bernstein, features a fusion of Mexican auras and nativist folk music, which serves to create an authentic and vibrant setting for the story.
The score's rousing titular theme has become iconic and takes its place within the hallowed halls of the Pantheon of great film score themes.
Trivia
Here are some interesting trivia about The Magnificent Seven (2016):
• Cultural Milestone:
The film is considered a cultural milestone in the Western genre, influencing countless other movies in the years to come. It introduced more complex and morally ambiguous characters that challenged the traditional hero archetype, departing from typical Western tropes.
• National Film Registry:
In recognition of its cultural, historical, and aesthetic significance, The Magnificent Seven was selected for preservation by the Library of Congress, solidifying its place as a beloved classic in the Western genre.
• Script Revisions:
The script went through several revisions, with screenwriters William Roberts and Walter Bernstein working on multiple drafts before the final version was settled upon.
• Memorable Ending:
The film has a memorable and emotional ending, leaving a lasting impact on viewers with its mix of triumph and sadness.
• Critical and Commercial Success:
The Magnificent Seven received positive reviews and was a commercial success, inspiring countless homages and references in popular culture.
• Influence and Homages:
The film has inspired countless homages and references in popular culture, from movies to television shows and music, showcasing its wide-reaching influence.
• Diverse Cast:
The film boasts a strong and diverse cast, including Denzel Washington, Ethan Hawke, Chris Pratt, Byung-hun Lee, Vincent d’Onofrio, Martin Sensmeier, and Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, which was essential to creating the film.
• Musical Score:
The late composer James Horner, a dear friend of director Antoine Fuqua, wrote the score as a surprise before his death. Simon Franglen, Horner's longtime programmer and arranger, finished the rest of the score.
The film's musical score adds to its emotional impact and cinematic grandeur.
Fun Fact
The 2016 film The Magnificent Seven features a diverse and talented cast, including Denzel Washington, Chris Pratt, and Ethan Hawke, who brought their unique styles and charisma to the screen.
The film's ensemble cast not only delivered compelling performances but also showcased the diversity and depth of talent in the entertainment industry, adding to the film's appeal and cultural significance.