Quickie Movie Review: "The Magnificent Seven"

Rated: PG (Canada)
Starring: Yul Brynner, Eli Wallach, and Steve McQueen
Released: 1960

Synopsis: Merciless Calvera (Eli Wallach) and his band of ruthless outlaws are terrorizing a poor Mexican village...and even the bravest lawmen can't stop them! Desperate, the locals hire Chris Adams (Yul Brynner, The Ten Commandments) and six other gunfighters to defend them.  With time running out before Calvera's next raid, the heroic seven must prepare the villagers for battle and help them find the courage to take back their town...or die trying!
(Adapted from the back cover of the DVD)

My Review: For a film this old, it looked and sounded incredible on every device on which I watched it: my Mac, my iPad, and even my tiny iPod touch! The makers did a great job remastering the sound and picture for the DVD medium.  Also, the cast is expansive, and the sets and scenery are wonderful.  Every good guy is admirable, and the main villain is utterly despicable.  However, this was harder-edged than I expected for an older flick--even a Western--and I was a bit disappointed with the ending, which I won't give away here.  It was still an enjoyable movie, but not without its rough spots; discerning viewers may want to proceed with caution.

Content Concerns:

• Sex: Passionate kissing before the camera cuts away; a brief reference to rape. 4/5
• Nudity: Shirtless guys in one scene. 4/5
• Language: At least six uses of the d-word, and four of the h-word; name-calling is also present. 3/5
• Violence: True to the genre, gunfights are common; countless people are shot dead, especially in the final battle.  Though most of the film is bloodless, the film opens with a slightly bloody shooting, and the finale features two people being stabbed to death. 2/5
• Drugs: Smoking and drinking throughout; a man is given a sedative of some sort. 3/5
• Frightening/Intense Scenes: Along with the violence, a scene or two of emotional intensity. 2/5
• Other: Gambling is depicted a time or two. 4/5

Score: 3/5