7 Mighty Facts About 1960’s ‘The Magnificent Seven’
In recent years, Hollywood has certainly attempted to recreate the magic of a good old-fashioned Western film, but there’s just something undeniably special about the classics like The Magnificent Seven.
Hitting theaters in 1960, this iconic movie brought together director John Sturges and a stellar ensemble cast: besides the already-famous Yul Brynner and Steve McQueen, the seven included emerging superstars James Coburn, Charles Bronson, Robert Vaughn, Brad Dexter, and Horst Buchholz. The mix created a defining movie of the genre.
Before you catch a special airing of the film on TCM tonight at 8pm EST and celebrate its 65th anniversary later this year, check out seven little-known facts about The Magnificent Seven!
1It’s a remake of a Japanese film
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While most people know that The Magnificent Seven is the source material for multiple sequels and a 2016 reboot, far fewer fans realize that the original is actually a remake of Akira Kurosawa‘s Seven Samurai, Obviously, the adaptation was not a direct copy of the original plot; Seven Samurai is a tale set in feudal Japan, while The Magnificent Seven transplants the story into the American Old West. Still, the core story remains intact: seven warriors (or gunslingers, as the case may be) band together to defend a village from marauding bandits – a perfect recipe for a timeless classic.
2The villains were based on real-life bad guys
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The bandits in The Magnificent Seven are far more than just faceless antagonists. Their leader, the menacing Calvera (played by Eli Wallach), was inspired by real-life Mexican bandit leaders from the 19th century. Though the character isn’t based on a specific historical figure, the film’s portrayal of lawlessness and the fight for survival in the face of oppression takes direct inspiration from the turbulent times of the Mexican-American War and its aftermath.
3Yul Brynner was a scene stealer
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Actor extraordinaire Brynner was known for his intense dedication to his craft – especially in this movie. His charisma and dominating presence became a defining characteristic of his portrayal of the cool, commanding Chris Adams, and his personal style and confidence helped elevate the film to excellence.
Behind the scenes, however, Brynner had a reputation for overshadowing his co-stars. According to cast members, he often commandeered the spotlight both on and off screen, ruffling feathers all along the way.
4James Coburn was not the first choice
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Coburn, who played talkative gunslinger Britt, was not originally the first choice for the role. Actor Steve McQueen, who played Vin Tanner, was originally slated to play Britt, but creative differences with director John Sturges emerged. According to some reports, McQueen wasn’t happy with the size of his role and wanted more screen time. Eventually, Coburn was cast, and his portrayal of Britt became one of the film’s highlights.
Ironically, McQueen’s role as Vin Tanner ended up being just as iconic, and his chemistry with the rest of the cast is one of the film’s most praised aspects of the movie.
5Its scenes of the Old West were actually shot in Mexico
Although set in the American West, much of The Magnificent Seven was actually filmed in Mexico. The filmmakers chose the Mexican desert landscape because it closely resembled the American Southwest, and it was more cost-effective to shoot there. The towns and villages used in the film, such as the “town” where the action takes place, were largely built from scratch in remote desert locations, adding to the film’s authentic Western feel. The barren, sun-scorched vistas became a staple of the film’s visual style and contributed to the authenticity of the Old West atmosphere.
6The filmmakers had to change the ending
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The original The Magnificent Seven script had a much darker ending than the one we saw. In an earlier draft, most of the seven actually died in the final confrontation, but test audiences were so emotionally invested in the characters that the filmmakers decided to change the ending to a more upbeat conclusion. As a result, the final scene ends on a more hopeful note, with Chris Adams and Vin Tanner walking off into the sunset, leaving the audience with a sense of redemption instead of tragedy.
7A legacy that lives on
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The Magnificent Seven wasn’t just a hit with audiences—it was a major financial success for the studio. Made on a relatively modest budget of $2 million, the film went on to gross over $11 million at the box office — a considerable sum for a Western at the time. This success led to several sequels, including Return of the Magnificent Seven (1966), Guns of the Magnificent Seven (1969), and The Magnificent Seven Ride! (1972), as well as a 2016 remake starring Denzel Washington – a testament to the everlasting impact of the film.
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