This film is iconic in so many ways - derived from Kurosawa's Seven Samurai, sporting perhaps the greatest cast of any western (without John Wayne or Gary Cooper, even!), and with a music score that the America Film Institute included in its list of Top 25 Film Scores.
And the theme was later used in Marlboro cigarette ads back when they were still allow on TV (yes, kids, go ask your parents). If you are of a certain age, you will hum right along to this.
Elmer Bernstein is perhaps less famous, although that's quite unfair. His record of one Oscar and five Grammys belies all the music he wrote, including The Ten Commandments, To Kill A Mocking Bird, and True Grit. Oh, and he also contributed to Animal House, The Blues Brothers, and Ghostbusters.
6 comments:
Quite the movie it was.
Love that soundtrack, and love that movie. Much better than the modern dogsqueeze version.
I always think of Aaron Copeland when I hear The Magnificent Seven.
It may be the definitive Western. except for Brynner They all were relative unknowns, until this. It made them all stars.
Not sure if it has the greatest cast, but maybe the most star power.
I have to think Tombstone has the best cast list top to bottom. Kurt Russell, Val Kilmer (in his best role ever), Sam Elliot and Bill Paxton at the top, and Charlton Heston and Billy Bob Thorton in supporting roles!
After Bad To The Bone, this overture is my choice to replace Hail To The Chief.
I submit for your consideration John Williams "Cowboys Overture" from the John Wayne movie "The Cowboys". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gT_DXHYPy4I
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