Although not as great as the movie that inspired it, The Magnificent Seven – The Complete First Season manages to capture the heart, spirit and action of the original film through solid acting, good writing, and lots of old-fashion western gunfights.
The two-disc DVD collects all nine episodes of the short-lived television series that starred Michael Biehn, Ron Perlman, and Eric Close. The show followed a group of seven gunfighters as they protected a town from every kind of problem that the writers could imagine.
Although the show brings a new group of seven together, Biehn does play a character named Chris (similar to the role that Yul Brynner brought to the screen in the original movie) and Eric Close plays a gunfighter named Vin (similar to the role Steve McQueen played in the 1960’s movie).
Biehn also has other similarities to Brynner through the way he becomes the leader of the seven, and the way he dresses in total black. Close’s character also has ties to another famous Steve McQueen character through the gun he carries and his profession. Fans of McQueen will pick up on the fact both similarities seem to be taken from McQueen’s breakout role in Wanted: Dead or Alive.
Although the Biehn and Close characters are similar to the original seven, the rest of the group is a new batch of heroes. They include the preacher Josiah Sanchez (played by the great Perlman); the gambler Ezra Standish (Anthony Starke); the doctor/knife fighter Nathan Jackson (Rick Worthy); the lady’s man Buck Wilmington (Dale Midkiff); and the kid J.D. Dunne (Andrew Kavovit).
All of the actors are excellent in their roles, and each brings something to help their characters stand out in the show. Perlman steals several of the scenes he is in, and brings a good amount of comedy to the series. Midkiff and Kavovit also provide some laughs through the way they play their characters off each other.
The amount of comedy brought by the three actors helps lighten the tone that is often established through Biehn’s seriousness. His character is the classic example of a gunfighter, and he seems to combine aspects of Brynner’s portrayal of Chris with other famous western actors – such as Clint Eastwood.
All of the actors are excellent in their roles
The pilot episode, which is the weakest of the nine shows, is set after the Civil War and is basically a retelling of the classic movie. It follows a ragtag troop of Confederate soldiers terrorizing a small village of Indian and runaway slaves. The people from the village heads to town and hire seven gunslingers to protect them.
It is fairly straightforward and fans of the movie will recognize several scenes that seem lifted straight from the film – including Chris and Vin meeting and taking down a group of cowboys in the street. There are several twists - such as the Chris/Vin gunfight at the beginning is to save Jackson from being hung – to the pilot, but it is pretty predictable if you have seen the movie.
Although the pilot episode is rather weak, the show quickly picks up its pace with the second episode, and has you hooked on the series by the fourth episode. The second disc is better than the first, and you have to wonder how good the series could have become if there was more time for it to develop.
The first season does a good job of establishing the seven characters, but it also has some problems. Following the second or third episode, you know what to expect. The series pretty much follows traditional western stories - which limits the type of plots and surprises for the audience.<!--page-->
Biehn is the classic example of a gunfighter
By the end of the first few episodes, you know that the group will face some kind of large problem, try to figure out a way to even the odds, and have some kind of gunfight at the end. If you are a fan of classic westerns or the genre, this predictable pattern doesn’t distract your interest in the series, and the actors do a good job keeping your attention each episode.Also, the DVD set doesn’t have any kind of special features - which might leave fans of the show feeling a little disappointed. Even some kind of commentary from some of the actors would have helped make the set feel a little more worthwhile.
The Magnificent Seven is one of the best westerns ever made, and the television series does a good job of living up to the spirit and style of the classic film. The group of actors seemed to enjoy their roles, and separate themselves from what was done in the original movie.
Although the pilot episode was weak, the series quickly picks up steam, and each show is a little more entertaining than the last one. Season One establishes the group of seven and the two-disc collection will leave you wanting more.
Perlman steals the laughs
Even though the series has some problems, and the set lacks any special features, I still recommend it to any fan of the original movie or fan of the western genre. The series has classic western characters, and each episode is guaranteed to have at least one good old fashion gunfight.
The Magnificent Seven – The Complete First Season is available for pre-order at Amazon for a Dec. 6th release. As of yet, there is not a release date for the UK. Visit the DVD’s database for more information.
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