Seven Samurai (1954) vs The Magnificent Seven (1960)

[The Schofield Kid]

This is the place to post about Seven Samurai (1954) and the remake The Magnificent Seven (1960)  Tell us what you think of the films as you watch them, or wait until after Week 6 to do a comparison. Which do you like better? Strengths, weaknesses, or just talk about anything you want.

[KC]

I just requested Seven Samurai from my library. It took about two minutes to place the request. It should be delivered to my location, which also happens to be my workplace (other end of the building). We'll see how well this works!

[Christopher]

And I would guess that it'd be alright to throw in the 2016 film into the discussion if you wanted without adding in an extra week. I know some here have seen it (myself included) and it is on Blu-Ray/DVD now.

I just requested Seven Samurai from my library. It took about two minutes to place the request. It should be delivered to my location, which also happens to be my workplace (other end of the building). We'll see how well this works!

You can request an item to be delivered to another part of the library? I'd love to visit that library.

[KC]

You can request an item to be delivered to another part of the library? I'd love to visit that library.

Well, it will come from one of the New York Public Library's 88 branch locations in Manhattan, the Bronx and Staten Island. But it will be delivered to the main research location, where I work, which is mostly non-circulating but does have a Children's Room, where the materials circulate. At least, that's how I think it's supposed to work.

[Christopher]

Oh, within branches... that makes sense.

[KC]

Though, when I want a book from the underground stacks in the research library, I just fill out a slip and take it to the nice people in the next office ... and presto, in a half hour or so, it's delivered to me.

[Matt]

And I would guess that it'd be alright to throw in the 2016 film into the discussion if you wanted without adding in an extra week. I know some here have seen it (myself included) and it is on Blu-Ray/DVD now.

Sure, we can squeeze in another -- for anyone who wants to.

I had hoped to watch Seven Samurai tonight, but I ran out of time.  I'm going out of town for two weeks, so I won't be able to participate in this theme on time, but I'll circle back around and watch them and comment later.

[KC]

Bon voyage, Matt!

[Elizabeth77]

I started Seven Samurai last night and got about 30 minutes into it before having to give up for the night. I am thoroughly enjoying it. One of the things I find enjoyable is the soundtrack, or lack of one. I think it's just cool to experience it like it's happening, without music to sway your emotions. That said, I love the score for The Magnificent Seven.

[KC]

My library came through with Seven Samurai yesterday ... delivered practically to my door, only five days after I requested it. (To be fair, I probably could have gone across the street and picked up a copy right away.) I've got seven days to watch it ... One Samurai per day, I guess.

[Elizabeth77]

I've got seven days to watch it ... One Samurai per day, I guess.

  What are you going to do? Split screen?

[Matt]

How's everyone doing with these two films? I've just gotten to the halfway point of Seven Samurai, and I am really enjoying it! I guess all us Clint fans are feeling a bit of inspiration for High Plains Drifter when watching this?

Until watching it tonight, I thought I had seen it before, but definitely not. I'd only seen Kurosawa's Yojimbo and Rashomon previously. I probably wouldn't have ever gotten around to it without this Movie Club, so good call Christopher! 

I hadn't realized how long this movie was... man! Is everyone watching the Criterion 207 minute version?

[The Schofield Kid]

I've slipped behind. I'll try and catch up this week. May have to split up viewing times to stay on track.

[KC]

Seven Samurai is loooooooooong!

I finally started watching last night. I've already renewed it once (borrowed from the library). Not sure I can renew a second time, but I don't see how I'm going to finish it before Tuesday, when it's due.

[Christopher]

I own a DVD of Seven Samurai, but haven't rewatched it yet. It is very long, but I've seen it at least twice. There's not a lot of movies that long that I'd watch multiple times.

[Matt]

I stayed up until 3am to finish it. I really did enjoy it, but I'm not sure I'd rate it as high as it is on the IMDb, which is an 8.7!  I think it was more influential to other great movies, than THAT great on its own. I would say it could be trimmed down a bit without losing its excellence.

[Matt]

I'm about halfway through The Magnificent Seven, and breaking for the night.  It's not as intriguing as Seven Samurai, and I'm really tired of the music already. So far, it feels like any other pre-Clint western -- staged, and unthreatening.

[Matt]

I finished The Magnificent Seven, and feel like the only really enjoyable part of the film was Eli Wallach. He's the only character that comes off as authentic to me, but even better - it was like finding lost footage of Tuco all those years later. He's almost the same character, if not more ruthless. He looks, dresses and acts the same, and he's pure gold. I have a hard time enjoying pre-Clint westerns. There's such a difference with lighting that looks too bright, clothes that look too clean and crisp, actors that look non-threatening and sets that look like sets. And aside from Eli Wallach, The Magnificent Seven has problems with all of that, plus add in a bombastic theme that plays throughout. Sorry to all the fans of this film, but it's not for me.

So, between Seven Samurai and The Magnificent Seven, the Samurai win by about five samurai.

This was a bonus week, so I put on The Magnificent Seven (2016) tonight. I'm only halfway through, but need to stop for the night. I knew within a few minutes this would be my favorite of the three.  Denzel Washington's entrance was completely Eastwoodesque, and how cool to see Clint's legend live on more than 50 years after he and Leone turned the Western genre around and made it cool, and dangerous, and thrilling. Almost shot for shot, you almost expect to see a young Clint when they finally show his face... and it sets up the film perfectly for a kickass western. Chris Pratt adds a great amount of relaxed humor, a gunslinger who lives life on the edge every minute. There's energy in every frame, and the lighting, wardrobe, etc. is all as good as I expect after years of watching Eastwood westerns.

I'm going to finish this one tomorrow, but recommend anyone try to get this bonus in this week if you can find the time. Really fun film!

[The Schofield Kid]

I thought 2 hours and 50 minutes for Scarface was a trial. This at 3 hours and 26 minutes was worse. I'm afraid I'm not a fan of Seven Samurai. It may be considered a classic and influenced many film makers to come but I just could not get into it. I had to split my viewing time for this too as I was starting to watch the clock after about 30 minutes.

I agree with E77, about the soundtrack, or the very minor use of it. Although when it was used it did come across as too much. Especially the flute in some scenes.

Not a film I'll be seeing again.

[Matt]

I finished The Magnificent Seven (2016) tonight, and man, it was awesome. Westerns have gotten so good, and they don't release too many of them these days, so it's a rare treat when we get another great one to add to the list of great modern Westerns, and this one is now on mine.

I wonder if Clint was approached to be one of the seven. He really could have done it. They were a mismatched gang of misfits, and one of them was older, played by Vincent D'Onofrio, and although the part may have needed to be rewritten if it was Clint's role, he could have done it. I'd love to see him in another western, but he doesn't have to hold the whole film - he could be a strong cast member. Even though Chris Pratt and Denzel Washington had the meatiest roles, all the parts were very good, and strong, well-written characters.