MovieChat Forums > The Magnificent Seven (1960) Discussion > Can't live up to its fame

Can't live up to its fame

posted 8 years ago by jtdeclercq
11 replies | jump to latest

Saw this film in my early teens when it was released (I'm from 1948) and upon watching it again recently, I can't believe how stiff and cardboard like the acting is. Dialogues are scant spontaneous, actors are forced to utter lines which are unrealistic and overly moralizing (the death scene of Bernardo/Bronson) and acting is at times downright ludicrous and over the top (Robert Vaughns character).

The exception of course of Steve McQueen, who manages to draw the attention to himself in every scene he appears, which may have led to frictions between the actors. The screen in which Chris (Brynner) and Vin (McQueen) begin driving the hearse up to Boot Hill is an example. McQueen rattles the cartridges of his shotgun and shields his eyes with his hat, holding it towards the sun. Rumor has it this was an improvisation by McQueen, much to Brynners dismay, who was front camera, but knew that his character was second to McQueens impromptu acting.

[–] SamoanJoes 8 years ago

I agree. With a cast like this everyone just seemed forgettable. I thought the film itself was very bland and missed energy and originality, inspite it being pulled from Seven Samurai.

[–] rabksaj 8 years ago

Great movie. Just watched it in order to watch the new one. It's an old movie remember and the sound and special effects are just the way it was back then.

[–] debtfull 8 years ago

Thank you, Dianne Chambers.

[–] Dagwoodie 8 years ago

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[–] johnnydinkis 8 years ago

I agree. I enjoy many other westerns from around this time (The Searchers and the Man With No Name trilogy to name a few) but not this one.

[–] Metal_Basher 8 years ago

It's an average western.

HARLEYS R4 YUPPIES
(my bumper sticker)

[–] kathiehansen 8 years ago

I never saw it when it came out, but I thought I'd watch it now, since I want to see the remake. Terrible movie...boring, stiff, terrible dialog and laughable. Certainly not a classic. It was kind of interesting watching each star compete with his own acting style. McQueen was very good. I think Yul could have quite possibly been an ass in real life,lol.
I spent the whole movie thinking I was watching Gig Young, only to find out it was someone called Brad Dexter...how funny. They could be twins.

[–] spookyrat1 8 years ago

Can't live up to its fame

LOL! 55 years later I think it's doing a pretty good job of just that ... living up to its fame.

I can't believe how stiff and cardboard like the acting is.

Laughable comment considering it was the film that proved a major step up for many of the support cast.🐭

[–] VirginOnPromNight 8 years ago

I have a problem with a lot of old movies. Acting is terrible. Casablanca is one of them