The Magnificent Seven
1960
***
Director: John Sturges
Cast: Yul Brynner, Eli Wallach, Steve McQueen, Charles Bronson, Robert Vaughn, James Coburn, Horst Buchholz, Brad Dexter
Akira Kurosawa was a big fan of American westerns, and Hollywood returned the favour by remaking his Seven Samurai. In this version Mexican villagers, who are terrorized by a group of bandits, hire seven gunmen to protect them. These men predictably have different skill sets and personalities, and they are played by a colourful cast, many of whom later became major stars. This is an entertaining but very ordinary Western, not more. Followed by three sequels.
