The Guns of the Magnificent Seven

Tim O'Brien started his review by saying, “Now this may just be me, but George Kennedy doesn’t resemble Yul Brynner too much. After two “Magnificent Seven” movies with Brynner as the star, the third movie starred a new ‘Chris’ leading a new seven. Of course, the posters for “The Guns of the Magnificent Seven” have to nail this down. So is he the same character? A different guy named Chris? Did he undergo extensive plastic surgery? Okay, maybe not that last one, but you get the idea. So, before loyalists chap their hides over Denzel Washington leading a new Magnificent Seven, let’s take a look at the first actor to replace Brynner.” Three years after “Return of the Magnificent Seven” comes director Paul Wendko for the next sequel, “Guns of the Magnificent Seven,” released in 1969. This is different from the first two movies with Kennedy, a year after he earned the Best Supporting Actor Oscar from “Cool Hand Luke,” entering in the franchise. However, the second movie was basically a repeat of the original film, the third gets credit for originality both in story and casting. Also, Elmer Bernstein’s score is a plus, especially with some new music scores.

Deep in Mexico, a revolutionary leader, Quintero (Fernando Rey) is captured by an evil Mexican colonel, Diego (Michael Ansara), who runs a prison that looks like a fortress more than anything else. One of Quintero’s most loyal followers, Maximilliano, played by Reni Santoni, travel north to look for help in getting Quintero out of prison before it’s too late. In a border town, Max finds a man named Chris Adams (George Kennedy) who is trying to save another man, Keno (Monte Markham), from a lynch mob. Chris agrees to help out and form a group of soldiers to help him in the prison break. They find help from a local bandit Lobero (Frank Silvera) and his gang – this is a change of pace since the original film, but the odds still seem impossible.

O’Brien said, “The Seven: Kennedy is more than capable of handling the lead role, and while he doesn’t look like Brynner at all, he brings the same characteristics to the part: loyal, honest, and always willing to stand up for the downtrodden. He’s also chomping in a stogie throughout, a trademark made recognizable with Brynner.” As for the other six, this is by far the most unique group when comparing the three sequels. Markham as Keno, the Steven McQueen right hand man role, isn’t given so much to do after he’s introduced, but as a right-hand man, he does what he's supposed to. Look cool while helping the leader. Santoni’s Max is a young person with little fighting experience but who wants nothing more than to join the fight.

Adding a character of color, dynamite expert Cassie (Bernie Casey) the range of range is added and even more so with another member of the seven, Slater (Joe Don Baker), a one-armed Confederate gunslinger. Cassie and Slater would seem to have nothing in common, but a friendship develops when they realize how similar they really are. James Whitmore, as great as ever, plays Levi, an old knife fighter who’s settle with a family but takes the job for money. Adding some depth to the character, Levi bonds with Emil, played by Tony Davis, a young Mexican boy looking for his father. Unfortunately, the seventh member, P.J., played by Scott Thomas, receives little development which is sad because an expert gunfighter/rope throwing dying of tuberculosis has some potential.

O’Brien said, “The villain is a definite step-up here after Emilio Fernandez’s part in “Return”. Ansara plays Diego as a sadistic commandant trying to snuff out the revolution in his district no matter what the cost, especially when it comes to torturing his prisoners. One torture scene midway through the movie shows a creative way to take care of prisoners – bury them in sand up to their throats and then trample and suffocate them with horses walking all around them.” Ansara’s Diego may not be as developed as Calvera or Lorca in the previous two movies, but he’s a complete villain and sometimes that’s all you need.

Some critics said this movie is too slow and to be fair, there isn’t a lot of action. However, none of these movies are really action-packed. Characters are introduced, we get to know them, and then insert the action so that when some of the seven do eventually die, their deaths mean something emotionally. The finale in the movie is on par with the shootout at the end of the original. O’Brien said, “Finally ready for their assault, Chris leads the seven and a small group of farmers in an attack on Diego’s prison, dubbed the ‘Cave of the Rats,’ and his two-hundred-man garrison.”

The movie is loud, messy, and violent, and completely different from the rest of the series. First, the seven go on the attack instead of waiting to be attacked against the larger crowd. Second, two characters are killed almost at the start of the battle, and for a while it looks like the plan might actually fail. The attack is a great action scene from start to finish and the prison set also looks really nice. There’s even some surprises as to who survives and who doesn’t keep you guessing.

This is a worthy sequel to the original. O’Brien credited, “It does justice in every way while still putting its own spin on a familiar story.” Good casting and a strong script that really develops the new members of the “Magnificent Seven” with a great, action-packed finale.

This is a good sequel, even though it is not as good as the original. It is better than the last sequel, I can tell you that. Check it out on Tubi and see for yourself.

Look out next week when I look at the next sequel in “The Magnificent Seven Month.”