One town without hope is about to meet seven men without fear! Lee Van Cleef takes on the role of the legendary Chris Adams in this thrilling, action-packed finale of the hard-hitting western film series! Married and on the side of the law, Marshal Adams (Van Cleef) has settled in Arizona Territory. When his wife (Mariette Hartley) is killed, Chris tracks down the gunmen and administers swift justice but then discovers that a nearby border town is under attack. A ruthless horde of marauders has killed all the men and will come back for the women  unless Chris and his bold recruits can stop them. Outnumbered, but with a steely resolve and an arsenal of firepower, the gunfighters saddle up for the fight of their lives! Review: Good movie - You have to like old movies Review: End of an Era - I grew up with the original THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN (1960) to the extent that it became an integral part of my youth. I greeted RETURN OF THE SEVEN (1966) with open arms and grew to endear GUNS OF THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN (1968). I first saw THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN RIDE! in 1972 on its initial theatrical release. In many ways it brakes away from the story line formula established by its three predecessors and in some ways is a disappointment. The character of Chris, the leader of the seven now portrayed by Lee Van Cleef, is a complete departure from that established by Yul Brynner in THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN and again in RETURN OF THE SEVEN. Instead of a noble gunslinger that skirts the law, Lee Van Cleef's Chris is a cynical lawman who shoots first and asks questions latter. We see Van Cleef reluctant to help an old friend (Ralph Waite) who desperately needs his aid. Van Cleef's Chris is even happily married (to Mariette Hartley) as opposed to Brynner's Chris who was the immitigable stoic yet virtuous loner. Much of the plot also goes against formula except for the conflict and climax which ultimately has the seven going up against seemingly insurmountable odds from yet another bandit leader. The earlier part of the film has lawman Chris pursued by journalist Noah Forbes (Michael Callan) who is bent on making him a legendary Western hero in print. It also deals with Chris avenging the murder and ravaging of his wife by a pair of young thugs (Gary Busey and Hank Allan). Gradually the film falls into the formula of the seven coming to the rescue of the downtrodden once again. Interestingly, the film once again breaks formula when Chris recruits the seven. After signing on journalist Forbes, we get shades of THE DIRTY DOZEN when Chris goes to the territorial prison to recruit five inmates to round out the seven. These men are portrayed by Ed Lauter, Luke Askew, James B. Sikking, Pedro Armendariz Jr. and Bill Lucking. The film's budget looks terribly feeble in comparison to its three predecessors. It looks like a "back lot" production. Even Elmer Bernstein's score has lost its majestic quality. The orchestra sounds as if it were manned far below that of a standard size symphony, which can not be blamed on Bernstein if that's what the budget allowed. Some of the film's strong points are its witty dialog, an excellent performance by Luke Askew and the preparation and defense of the village by the seven. THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN RIDE! seems much less like the fourth film in a movie series but rather a half-hearted effort to turn out one more story that may have looked more effective on television than on the big screen. The presence of Stefanie Powers as the love interest even seems to reinforce this impression. In some ways THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN RIDE! is an appropriate end to this quartet of films. It was really a reflection of the times. It represented an end of an era when the Western once rode tall in the saddle of the silver screen. By 1972 that era was sadly coming to an end. Looking back with affection I am now glad that Lee Van Cleef, a true veteran of the Western, ended this one on a note of endearing optimism. The spirit of those magnificent seven men will always live in our hearts.
| Contributor | Allyn Ann McLerie, Ed Lauter, George McCowan, James Sikking, Lee Van Cleef, Luke Askew, Mariette Hartley, Melissa Murphy, Michael Callan, Pedro Armend�riz Jr., Ralph Waite, Stefanie Powers, William Lucking Contributor Allyn Ann McLerie, Ed Lauter, George McCowan, James Sikking, Lee Van Cleef, Luke Askew, Mariette Hartley, Melissa Murphy, Michael Callan, Pedro Armend�riz Jr., Ralph Waite, Stefanie Powers, William Lucking See more |
| Customer Reviews | 4.4 out of 5 stars 109 Reviews |
| Format | Anamorphic, Color, DVD, Dubbed, Subtitled, Widescreen |
| Genre | Action & Adventure, Westerns |
| Language | English, Spanish |
| Runtime | 1 hour and 40 minutes |
E**S
Good movie
You have to like old movies
G**2
End of an Era
I grew up with the original THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN (1960) to the extent that it became an integral part of my youth. I greeted RETURN OF THE SEVEN (1966) with open arms and grew to endear GUNS OF THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN (1968). I first saw THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN RIDE! in 1972 on its initial theatrical release. In many ways it brakes away from the story line formula established by its three predecessors and in some ways is a disappointment. The character of Chris, the leader of the seven now portrayed by Lee Van Cleef, is a complete departure from that established by Yul Brynner in THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN and again in RETURN OF THE SEVEN. Instead of a noble gunslinger that skirts the law, Lee Van Cleef's Chris is a cynical lawman who shoots first and asks questions latter. We see Van Cleef reluctant to help an old friend (Ralph Waite) who desperately needs his aid. Van Cleef's Chris is even happily married (to Mariette Hartley) as opposed to Brynner's Chris who was the immitigable stoic yet virtuous loner. Much of the plot also goes against formula except for the conflict and climax which ultimately has the seven going up against seemingly insurmountable odds from yet another bandit leader. The earlier part of the film has lawman Chris pursued by journalist Noah Forbes (Michael Callan) who is bent on making him a legendary Western hero in print. It also deals with Chris avenging the murder and ravaging of his wife by a pair of young thugs (Gary Busey and Hank Allan). Gradually the film falls into the formula of the seven coming to the rescue of the downtrodden once again. Interestingly, the film once again breaks formula when Chris recruits the seven. After signing on journalist Forbes, we get shades of THE DIRTY DOZEN when Chris goes to the territorial prison to recruit five inmates to round out the seven. These men are portrayed by Ed Lauter, Luke Askew, James B. Sikking, Pedro Armendariz Jr. and Bill Lucking. The film's budget looks terribly feeble in comparison to its three predecessors. It looks like a "back lot" production. Even Elmer Bernstein's score has lost its majestic quality. The orchestra sounds as if it were manned far below that of a standard size symphony, which can not be blamed on Bernstein if that's what the budget allowed. Some of the film's strong points are its witty dialog, an excellent performance by Luke Askew and the preparation and defense of the village by the seven. THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN RIDE! seems much less like the fourth film in a movie series but rather a half-hearted effort to turn out one more story that may have looked more effective on television than on the big screen. The presence of Stefanie Powers as the love interest even seems to reinforce this impression. In some ways THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN RIDE! is an appropriate end to this quartet of films. It was really a reflection of the times. It represented an end of an era when the Western once rode tall in the saddle of the silver screen. By 1972 that era was sadly coming to an end. Looking back with affection I am now glad that Lee Van Cleef, a true veteran of the Western, ended this one on a note of endearing optimism. The spirit of those magnificent seven men will always live in our hearts.
J**S
Good quality
Good quality
T**.
The DVD works perfectly.
I just watched this movie the other night. It was full of excitement. Thank you for my order.
S**E
happy with product
great
J**M
For once Lee Van Cleef gets to be the good guy in this film
The Magnificent 7, an exciting action type western. For once Lee Van Cleef gets to be the good guy in this film. Van Cleef has been in a lot of westerns. There isn't any film with Van Cleef I didn't like. Justice has a number: seven. Once again a town is over run by outlaws. The brave 7 gunfighters come to the rescue. You'll enjoy seeing Lee Van Cleef play the good-guy in this movie.
S**S
Fantastic movie. I was worried I were'nt going to ...
Fantastic movie. I was worried I were'nt going to get this DVD. Very pleased when I rec'd it. Thanks so much!
C**S
Defintely before its time
This movie has a script and direction of a made for cable TV movie quality. The movie tries to be an epic rescue/ save the town movie that stays within in all the canned limits. It succeeds in being a mediocre movie. While some say Van Cleef saves the movie I give all the best acting to Stefanie Powers. Mariette Hartley saves the movie by dying early on and saving it from very stiff school house acting. The other actors are never quite developed and are given typical deaths in typically semi-heroic deeds. With that said, the movie still entertains for the most part. Definitely, a watch for free type movie but worth the time to watch once.
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