Return of the Seven
Gunmen employed by wealthy landowner Lorca conscript the men of a small Mexican village and force them to build a memorial to Lorca’s dead sons. Chico, the one of the seven who remained in the village to marry his love after the seven defeated Calvera. Chico’s wife, Petra finds Chris Adams (Yule Brenner) and Vin (formerly Steve McQueen, now Robert Fuller) and pleads with them to once again, save the village.
The film was shot in Spain with a cast mostly unknown to American audiences except as noted. Chris recruit’s gunman Frank (Claud Akins) and Colbee (Warren Oates) along with bandit Luis and cockfighter Manuel. The six locate the labor camp and drive out Lorca’s overseers. With the farmers liberated, Chris and his men, Chico now making seven, prepare to defend them against Lorca’s expected attack.
The initial attack is repulsed, though Chris knows Lorca will return in force. The situation is grim until Manuel discovers a cache of dynamite. Lorca attacks in overwhelming force. One by one the seven are cut down until only Chris, Vin, Chico and Colbee remain. The battle ends when Chris kills Lorca. With the paymaster dead the mercenaries abandon the fight.
In a final scene reminiscent of the original Magnificent Seven, Chico undertakes rebuilding the village. Colbee stays to help train the villagers to defend themselves while helping himself to all the pretty girls the village has to offer. Chris and Vin are left to ride away.
The film grossed $5.1 million. Critics panned it. The story had more than the last scene in common with the original. That did not include the cast. Yule Brenner owns the character, Chris. He didn’t appreciate McQueen’s ability to upstage him in the original. Enter Fuller as Vin. The rest of the casting was a step down, likely for budget reasons. You get what you pay for.
Sometimes sequels work and sometimes they don’t. This one didn’t. Partly due to the step down in cast, but for me it was more about a warmed-over story from the original.
Next Week: Rooster Cogburn
Return to Facebook to comment
Ride easy,
Paul
The film was shot in Spain with a cast mostly unknown to American audiences except as noted. Chris recruit’s gunman Frank (Claud Akins) and Colbee (Warren Oates) along with bandit Luis and cockfighter Manuel. The six locate the labor camp and drive out Lorca’s overseers. With the farmers liberated, Chris and his men, Chico now making seven, prepare to defend them against Lorca’s expected attack.
The initial attack is repulsed, though Chris knows Lorca will return in force. The situation is grim until Manuel discovers a cache of dynamite. Lorca attacks in overwhelming force. One by one the seven are cut down until only Chris, Vin, Chico and Colbee remain. The battle ends when Chris kills Lorca. With the paymaster dead the mercenaries abandon the fight.
In a final scene reminiscent of the original Magnificent Seven, Chico undertakes rebuilding the village. Colbee stays to help train the villagers to defend themselves while helping himself to all the pretty girls the village has to offer. Chris and Vin are left to ride away.
The film grossed $5.1 million. Critics panned it. The story had more than the last scene in common with the original. That did not include the cast. Yule Brenner owns the character, Chris. He didn’t appreciate McQueen’s ability to upstage him in the original. Enter Fuller as Vin. The rest of the casting was a step down, likely for budget reasons. You get what you pay for.
Sometimes sequels work and sometimes they don’t. This one didn’t. Partly due to the step down in cast, but for me it was more about a warmed-over story from the original.
Next Week: Rooster Cogburn
Return to Facebook to comment
Ride easy,
Paul
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