Return of the Seven

The first sequel to the 1960 western, “Return of the Seven,” released in 1966, only has one cast member of the original film, Yul Brynner as Chris Adams.

Emanuel Levy said in his review, “It was dismissed by most critics as unsatisfactory, repetitive, and cliché-ridden, compared to the first picture.”

Robert Fuller replaces Steve McQueen of Vin and Julian Mateos replaces Horst Buchholz as Chico.

Levy noted, “The film was written by Larry Cohen and directed by a second-tier helmer, Burt Kennedy, who made some Western with John Wayne (all mediocre).”

The cast includes Warren Oates, Claude Akins, Jordan Christopher, Virgilio Teixeira. Emilio Fernández is the villain, and famous Spanish actor Fernando Rey plays a priest.

Fernando Rey was also in the next film, “Guns of the Magnificent Seven,” but playing a different character.

Gunmen force the men in a small Mexican village to go with them to the desert. Among the kidnapped farmers is Chico, played by Julián Mateos, who was one of the seven hired gunslingers responsible for eliminated the village of the oppressive bandit, Calvera.

Chico’s wife, Petra, played by Elisa Montés, goes to find the other members of the group – only two, Chris and Vin, survived – begged them to save the village again. To replace the group’s murdered members, Chris buys the release of Frank (Akins) and Luis (Teixeira, a famous bandit) from jail, and recruits Colbee (Oates), a ladies’ man, and the young Manuel (Christopher).

The missing villagers are used as slave labor to rebuild a desert village and church as a memorial to the dead sons of wealthy rancher Lorca, played by Fernández. In a surprise attack, they force Lorca’s men to leave, and prepare for a counterattack. The farmers do not assist, but the defenders successfully reject Lorca’s main attack. The rancher then gathers his men to retreat the seven men.

Manuel finds a supply of dynamite which the seven use in a counterattack. While they are flooded, Chris is victorious from a shootout with Lorca. The rancher’s team run, leaving Frank, Luis, and Manuel dead. Chico plans to build back the village on Lorca’s land, and Colbee stays to help teach the villagers how to defend themselves. In the end, Chris and Vin ride off together.

Composer Elmer Bernstein received Oscar nomination for his score.

Levy noted, “The film earned $1.6 million in rentals during its initial release, and then re-released in 1969, earning rentals of $1.3 million.”

This is an underwhelming film, since you could say it repeats what the first one did. If you want to watch this, you can see this on Pluto TV. Check it out, but you won’t remember this one. This is easily forgettable.

Next week, we will be looking at the next film in the franchise in “The Magnificent Seven Month.”