Now, I'm not that old - this movie isn't my contemporary. But it definitely is one of the best western classics I've ever seen.
And I'm not talking about 2016 remake, because that movie was pretty disappointing. This one is stellar - not only in the cinematography or the score, but the acting is SO on point, it's almost ridiculous. Check out the cast - Yul Brenner headlines this magnificent cast along with Steve McQueen, Charles Bronson, Robert Vaughn, and James Coburn, just to name a few.
I first watched this movie in middle school. I was so inspired by Yul Brynner that I almost shaved my head bald.
Plot Summary
A poor Mexican village is run by an evil gangster Calvera and his bandits. After their latest attack on the village, the villagers decide that they will fight back against the gangsters and send three men to the US border to barter for weapons. They meet Adams, a Cajun gunslinger, who tells them to hire men instead, because a few villagers inexperienced in marksmanship will not be able to fend off a gang like Calvera's.
They immediately ask for Adams' help and find five other men willing to help. They are also joined by the hot-headed Chico, who wants to win Adams' approval. Together, they help fortify the village against Calvera's gang. When Calvera arrives, he and his gang suffer huge losses, much to the villagers' delight.
While they celebrate this victory, Chico discovers that Calvera is actually in a desperate situation. He and his crew are starving to death and will return to attck the village. The seven choose to stay to protect the villagers, but when they ride out make a final attack on Calvera's camp, they discover that they were betrayed by some of the villagers, and Calvera overwhelms them. Calvera spares their lives and tell them that the villagers are fickle and not worth saving.
What will the seven do? Will they leave? Will the protect the village?
It was only later that I learned that this movie was a western remake of the movie "Seven Samurai". That movie was interesting as well, but I prefer the Magnificent Seven...mostly because I saw it first.
So, if you have the time, do NOT watch the 2016 remake. Watch this original classic.
Cheers.