Return of the Seven

Plot synopsis:
Fifty gunmen force all of the men in a small Mexican village to ride off with them into the desert. Among the captured farmers is Chico, who years before was one of seven hired gunslingers responsible for ridding the village of a tyrannical bandit, Calvera. Chico's wife, Petra, seeks out the other members of the band of whom only two, Chris and Vin, survive. She begs them to save the village once more. To replace the deceased members of the group, Chris buys the release of Frank (a taciturn gunman) and Luis (a famous bandit), held in the local jail and recruits Colbee, a ladies' man and deadly gunman, and Manuel, a young cockfighter.
The six men discover that the missing villagers are being used as slave labor to rebuild a desert village and church as a memorial to the dead sons of wealthy rancher Lorca. In a surprise attack, the six gunmen force Lorca's men to leave, and prepare for a counterattack with Chico. The cowed farmers offer no assistance, but the seven defenders successfully repulse Lorca's initial attack. Lorca, the rancher, then gathers all of the men on his land to rout the seven men.
The situation seems bleak until Manuel discovers a supply of dynamite which the seven use in a counteroffensive. They are eventually overrun, but Chris emerges victorious from a shootout with Lorca. The rancher's gang flee, leaving Frank, Luis, and Manuel dead in the fighting. Chico plans to resettle the village on Lorca's fertile land, and Colbee remains to help teach the villagers how to defend themselves against future attacks; he also plans to pursue the available women. Chris and Vin once more ride off together.

Tags: cult, violence

Review:
This sequel to ¨Magnificent seven¨ is well played Yul Brynner as tough gunslinger named Chris who along with Vin , Robert Fuller, and their group set off in rescue some Mexican villagers .
Chris also meets Vin (Robert Fuller replacing Steve McQueen) another surviving members of The Seven .
As Chris and his buddies , each of whom comes for a different reason , must free a Mexican village imprisoned by nasty outlaws (Emilio Fernandez , Rodolfo Acosta in similar roles to Calvera's Elli Wallach) who are devastating the small location .
Later on , the group develops a plan to secure the villagers defend it against enemy attack.Chris character was played by Yul Brynner in two occasions and one performed by Lee Van Cleef and George Kennedy .
This is a passable though inferior sequel from the original and enduringly popular ¨The magnificent seven¨( John Sturges,1960) that is equally remake of ¨The seven samurais¨ (Akira Kurosawa) .
After that , followed ¨The return of the seven¨(Burt Kennedy,1966), again with Brynner and ¨Guns of the magnificent seven¨ (Paul Wendkos,1969) with George Kennedy and ¨The Magnificent seven ride¨ with Lee Van Cleef by George McCowan and continued with a TV series and a Television movie realized in 1998 .
Among the many reasons were the difficulties that occurred between the American filmmakers and the Mexican crew and government censors during the shooting of the first film .The motion picture was professionally directed by Burt Kennedy .He initially was screenwriter , his initial effort, ¨Seven men from now¨ (1956), was a superb western, the first of the esteemed collaboration between director Budd Boetticher and star Randolph Scott.
I was practically dancing in my seat when I got to hear it again during the opening sequence in 'Return Of The Seven', the first of 3 sequels to John Sturges' classic western.
Their work is solid---even though they just do the same things they did in Sturges' film---but writer Larry Cohen and director Burt Kennedy don't have any new ideas of their own.It's impossible to replace actors like Steve McQueen, Eli Wallach, James Coburn, and Charles Bronson with Warren Oates, Fernando Rey and a slew of unknowns, but that must have been the best they could do.
Since only 3 of the original 7 survived---and neither McQueen or Horst Buchholz return as Vin or Chico)---you can't help noticing that the B team is just not good enough to match what the A team did with Brynner in 1960.So brace yourself as Chris Adams (Brynner) and company ride into battle against Mexican bandits all over again.
The story, different in particulars, is goes through essentially the same stages: armed men attack the village, the call for help, the gathering of the seven, traveling to the village, defying the villain, the first attack beaten off, a pause where we get to know the characters and their motivations better, the final attack.
This film is solely about the 7 Americans riding to the rescue to the rescue of defenseless peasants and at times seems to have a pro-intervention (pro-Vietnam?) political subtext that the in first film, which was a translation of Seven Samurai to the New World, was either absent or more subtle.All this said and out of the way, film has lots of action, a good score, and Yul Brynner, who is always fun to watch in a western whether it is The Magnificent Seven or Adios, Sabata.
Yul Brynner and Robert Fuller in Steve McQueen's role recruit four others and ride back to where they fought that battle many years earlier.Instead of the eminently practical Eli Wallach whose interest in these poor villages was for supplies during the winter for his gang.
Too bad they couldn't get Steve McQueen to repeat his role.The other four of the new Seven are Jordan Christopher, Claude Akins, Warren Oates, and Rudolfo Acosta.
Living up to expectations is hard, this movie was the sequel to John Sturges´ classic The Magnificent Seven, it stars the three living part of the original posse; Chris ( Yul Brynner ), Vin ( newly appointed Robert Fuller to original Steve McQueen ), Chico ( new Julian Mateos to original Horst Bucholz ).Although the story is very similar to the original ( seven guys fighting off a Mexican forajido ) the pacing is awful in comparison.
Yul Brynner returns as gunfighter Chris, who is recruited by old friend Chico(now played by Julian Mateos, taking over from Horst Bucholz) to return to his village that has been raided by a powerful landowner, who has kidnapped the men for his own purposes.
Chris agrees to help, and enlists old friend Vin(Robert Fuller, taking over from Steve McQueen) and new members of the "7", including actors Claude Akins & Warren Oates.Disappointing sequel has some good action, but a limp plot, and is generally an inferior rehash of the first, though Brynner is still good, and Fuller a decent substitute for McQueen.This must have done well though, since two more sequels were made(without Brynner!) Haven't seen them, don't plan to..
Though not as good as the original, The Return Of The Seven brings back Yul Brynner for another appealing turn as black-clad anti-hero Chris Adams, with Claude Akins and Warren Oates providing memorable support.
Here, he doesn't disappoint, filling the screen with the type of excellent screen composition that his old collaborator Budd Boetticher was known for and from whom he no doubt learned to direct.The afore mentioned direction, good production values, and exciting action sequences, as well as the performances of Brynner, Oates, Akins and Emilio Fernandez all help make up for the slow spots in the script.Speaking of Warren Oates, the same year he also starred in the art-house/drive-in western The Shooting.
Remake of the 1960 original is essentially the same story revisited, with Brynner reprising his role as Chris, while Robert Fuller substitutes for Steve McQueen and Julian Mateos vice Horst Buchholz.
Elmer Bernstein's familiar score is once again on display and Burt Kennedy's experience with the genre is evident in his handling of the subject matter.But despite a good cast, "Return" is just an inferior remake; the dialogue is at times overly sentimental and the characters aren't as well drawn as in the original, just shallow replicas.
If the 'Godfather II' was THE example of why a gifted director might consider making a sequel to a great film, this turkey is the classic counter-example of why no-one should make one (leaving aside the obvious point about wanting to milk a very successful cash cow a second time around).
The only actor from the first (truly magnificent) film to appear is Yul Brynner in the lead role and all of the others who appear are decidedly 'B list' (if that) character actors who simply do not have the charisma to awaken much interest in their 'stories' or fates amongst the audience.
I also suppose that one should be charitable, given what was to follow in the form of the two subsequent 'sequels' after this (by which time even Brynner had jumped ship), both of which were absolutely and totally dire, leaving the original template of a truly immortal Japanese film which underlay the whole enterprise entirely (and mercifully) forgotten..
All the actors seem tired and look as if they are just going through the motions to get their paychecks.It's interesting how Yul Brynner is "magnificent" in the original film but stiff and unconvincing in this sequel.
I had some personal reasons for desperately wanting to see the film, including this being one of the first scripts written by Larry Cohen and Warren Oates in one of his pre-Peckinpah roles, but I could have guessed "The Return of the Seven" would be a forgettable and second class western.
A large posse of bandits have kidnapped Chico (who suddenly looks a whole lot more Mexican than in the original film) and the rest of the male population in the original village to works as slaves.
I know it sounds very harsh, but there is so much that disappoints in "Return of the Seven".The biggest problem in this film is that of the three survivors at the end of the last film, only one is played by the same actor in both films (Yul Brynner).
Granted 'The Return of the Seven' wasn't great however it is still a good watch.Yul Brynner again as Chris hasn't changed much, sadly with no Steve McQueen or Horst Buchholz the film isn't the same.
Chris picks up two prisoners Frank (Claude Akins) who is looking for a way out of life and Luis (Virilio Teixeira) who is about to face the firing squad.Chris also runs into ladies man Colbee (Warren Oates) and a young boy Manuel (Jordon Christopher)together with Chico (Julian Mateos) they form the magnificent seven.Again they face huge odds as they fight Larco (Emilio Fernandez) and his men in a small church.
Burt Kennedy's direction is certainly adequate, and the action scenes are well executed.Yul Brynner returns to the role of Chris.
Chris reunites with Vin (Robert Fuller, taking over for Steve McQueen), and brings together associates such as Frank (Claude Akins), Colbee (Warren Oates), and Luis (Virgilio Teixeira); he's also joined by the hard luck young man Manuel (Jordan Christopher).Admittedly, this setup was indeed more fun with the original gang of characters, who had a little more personality than this bunch.
Not the classic as the original, but I like this version better, because acting of Yul Brinner as Chris is more subdued and looks more natural.It's not the all star cast of the first movie, but pretty good none the less.
I'd heard many bad reviews about "Return of the Seven" - thankfully it wasn't as bad as all that.While the absence of both Steve McQueen (as Vin), and Horst Buchholz (as Chico) is felt strongly, the rest of the film keeps a very similar format to the original, and I loved that aspect.
The plot is literally the same - small village being attacked by bandits seeks the help of some gunmen, each with their own motive for defending said village against overwhelming odds.Yul Brynner was an incredibly strong lead in the original, and he solely carries the film here.
I got goosebumps when Chris (Brynner) rides up to the little village, looks down at it and says "I never thought I'd be back".The Elmer Bernstein score is fantastic too and really carries the movie, becoming one of the most vital characters itself.Unfortunately the bad guys this time round weren't exactly of Eli Wallach quality.
If fans of the classic can look past the absence of McQueen and Buchholz, then it's well worth a watch - especially on the strength of Brynner's return as Chris..
Decent For What It Is. Return of the Magnificent Seven (1966) ** 1/2 (out of 4) Chris (Yul Brynner) and Vin (Robert Fuller) hear about some bandits who have kidnapped all the men of three villages and have headed off into the desert with them.
Chris decides to gather up five more men and head out to take on a mission where they're be greatly outnumbered.If you thought any sequel could live up to THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN then you might not want to watch this.
With that said, RETURN OF THE SEVEN is actually a mildly entertaining movie as long as you're not expecting for it to do the impossible.Larry Cohen's screenplay doesn't offer up any sorts of great twists or original moments but it does know exactly what it wants to deliver.
It's written by Larry Cohen, scored by Elmer Berstein (receiving an Academy Award nomination for his work) and Paul Vogel photographs it on location in Spain in De Luxe Technicolor.The uninspired story sees Chris re-team with Vin & Chico and a few other gun slinging types; to save another Mexican village from another despotic visionary.
Julian Mateos takes over the role that Horst Buchholz created.The worst scene is the first between Chris (Yul Brynner) and Vin (Robert Fuller of "Laramie") at the bullfight.
He looks like he means business as the villain in "Return of the Seven." Like Yul Brynner, Elmer Bernstein encores his original Oscar nominated orchestral soundtrack and amazingly he received another nomination for it.
This one turns out to be the actual sequel to the original film, but it ran as "Return of the Seven" on Encore Westerns, so that was another element of confusion.
The men taken away include Chico; one of the original seven who stayed in the village and married a local girl at the end of the previous film.
She and her son seek out Chris once again and he and Vin set about recruiting a new Seven to find out what happened to the men and return them to their village.
Yul Brynner reprises his role as Chris and does a decent job; unfortunately he is the only one of the original cast to return; Vin may be back but this time he is played by Robert Fuller.
Yul Brynner returns to the role of the leader of the pack, Chris Larabee Adams, this time recruiting Robert Fuller (fresh from the TV Shows: "Laramie" and "Wagon Train", playing here the Steve MacQueen's role of Vin Tannen); Julian Mateos (playing Horst Buchholz's role of Chico); Claude Atkins (from "Rio Bravo") as Frank; Portuguese actor Virgilio Teixeira as Luis Delgado; Sam Peckinpah's 'usual suspect', Warren Oates as Colbee and Jordan Christopher, in his screen debut, as Manuel.
The plot is a rehash from the first film, with some interesting ideas thrown into it that could have produced a better movie if the budget was higher; the writing had been revised; the development, expanded and the directing, less pedestrian.6 years had passed and Chico is still living in the small village, working as a farmer with his wife Petra (Elisa Montés on Rosenda Monteros' role).
Petra begs Chris for help, and again with his 'second-in-command' Vin, they must recruit 5 more 'magnificent men' to rescue Chico and the poor villagers from Lorca's evil hands.
Robert Fuller came from a background in television doing two western TV Shows (like McQueen in the first movie that came from "Wanted: Dead or Alive"), but Fuller isn't McQueen, neither Burt Kennedy is John Sturges and besides the lack of McQueen's on-screen presence and charisma, his character is too shallow and very low-profile for a second lead, also the directing and writing for his character didn't help him to impose.
Warren Oates leaves a positive impression, his Colbee here reminds a lot of his future character in "The Wild Bunch", produced 3 years after this one; Claude Atkins is good as the troubled Frank, a man haunted by his past; Virgilio Teixeira delivers as a flamboyant & womanizer character, but he had too little to work with; Julian Mateos is more restrained playing Chico than the 'over-the-top' Horst Buchholz playing him in the original film and Jordan Christopher can't do much with only 5 or 6 lines in it, but his naive & well-meaning character became the heart of the movie.
In short, "Return of the Seven" if compared with the vastly superior "The Magnificent Seven" is a major disappointment, especially back then when it was released, but at least it's much better than the two low budget follow-ups starring George Kennedy and Lee van Cleef playing the Chris Adams' role.
Basically Chico (Julián Mateos), one of the original seven men is living in the Mexican village that they helped defend from the gang of bandits, but a new one is making its way into the town.
He starts first by getting the other former members of the seven, Chris (Yul Brynner, the only original cast member) and Vin (Robert Fuller, replacing Steve McQueen) on board, and they go to get other recruits.
Brynner does I suppose still do a good job, I didn't really take much notice, to be honest, the only thing to take notice off is how similar it is the film very film it is following, there may have been the odd change in story and events, and the Oscar nominated music by Elmer Bernstein is still fantastic, but the original is way better, but not a terrible western sequel.
Several years after their heroic defense of a small Mexican village "Chris" (Yul Brynner) is told that a group of about 50 gunmen have ridden into the town and taken all of the men to an undisclosed location in the desert.
Wanting to help his friend "Chico" (played by Julian Mateos) who was one of the men taken and a former member of the initial Magnificen Seven, Chris sets about recruiting men to come to assist him in his efforts to free them.
Brynner, the primary star of "The Magnificent Seven" is back, but he's the only one who returned (of the few whose characters survived in the first place.) Fuller has big shoes to fill as Steve McQueen's character and cannot fill them, though the script gives him precious little to work with in any case.
but OK, let's stop here about the plot and absolutely forgettable character of a bad guy and let's say few words about The Seven itself...Yul brynner's good old Chris, always calm, always silent, talking less but talking wise is gone (unfortunately).
Brynner, who made the best part in the first film, doesn't look good at all in this one.Rey plays a priest; he will be a political leader, Quintero, in the next sequel of the franchise.
Unfortunately, in the first sequel there is the most unmemorable of the three crews assembled under the Magnificent Seven's name.Robert Fuller makes a lousy "Vin";Oates is the smiley womanizer.In this mockgargantuan attempt, a Mexican revolutionary leader has a gargantuan planhe kidnaps 300 peons and uses them to build a village and a church in the memory of his lost sons.
Of course Return of the Seven (1966) completely abandoned the good sense of the McQueen film.What is particularly shocking is that this sequel came quite quickly after the original filmyet, everything changed meantime in the way of making westerns.Both the sequels look weird.