Bandit Calvera and his gang are terrorizing the people of a small Mexican town. After one raid, he promises to return to steal more from the people. The leaders of the village put together what they have to invest in weapons.
Chris Adams steps in suggesting hiring gunfighters. While reluctant, after helping select the other gunfighters, Chris agrees to help defend the town.
The Magnificent Seven cleverly sets up it’s two main leads Chris and Vin (Yul Brynner and Steve McQueen) as decent tough guys. They discover the local coroner has an issue. There is a body that needs transporting. But the deceased is Native American and the white locals are refusing access to the cemetery. The two volunteer to take the hearse to the cemetery. This seen is really full of charm and gets you pumped to follow these two. And they manage to succeed in their mission with only a couple of flesh wounds. These men are not cold blooded killers. They are willing to do as little harm as possible.
This is a stellar cast of tough guys, but not in some cheap sense. They are mostly good and decent (Harry Luck is a bit mercenary, joining up because he believes there must be treasure if Chris is involved, but even he ends up willing t risk his life for the town). Eli Wallach, of course, makes for a great villain.
The music is energetic and fun, especially the heroic theme song.
The Magnificent Seven is a truly great and fun western.
Originally called a Fistful of Dynamite, Duck, You Sucker is Sergio Leone’s fourth Spaghetti Western, the first without Clint Eastwood. While a certainly more “poetic” title, Fistful of Dynamite suggests a tie to the Man With No Name films when one does not exist.
Tripping Through Gateways 