Believe it or not, last night was the first time I watched The Magnificent Seven. It’s an excellent Western marked by it’s unusual portrayal of gun-fighters compared to most Westerns that came before it. In particular, the gun-fighter lifestyle is shown as one filled with loneliness, desperation and missed opportunities rather than glamorized. It’s a direct remake of the absolutely superb Japanese film Seven Samurai.

I was going to write that I preferred Seven Samurai slightly; but The Magnificent Seven, although it is a direct remake, is special in its own way with many fantastic lines and scenes. Highly recommended. You should rent them both immediately and watch them in order.

For a more light-hearted take on a very similar plot, see A Bug’s Life.

The Magnificent Seven (Netflix)

Seven Samurai (Netflix)

A Bug’s Life (Netflix)

Comments

1. Thomas on 2007-07-01 15:30:07 wrote: Once, just for kicks I watched “The One,” “Two to Tango,” “Leonard Part 6,” “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers,” and “13th Warrior” in one weekend, in that order.

2. Todd Jordan on 2007-07-04 04:26:03 wrote: Having seen all three, but not in order, I found I enjoyed them for different reasons. The Magnificent Seven remains my favorite of the three, but I believe that’s because of the slightly less reverent take than Seven Samurai, and the shorter length. Each of these is a different type of movie and targets a different audience, so I’d say to each his/her own. :) BTW, I really enjoyed A Bug’s Life too.

3. Shaun on 2007-07-11 18:54:11 wrote: I once read the the Japanese producer (director?) had American westerns in mind as he made the 7 Samurai. And then the Magnificent 7 was a western take on the 7 Samurai. … I always thought the circularity of that was a little funny.