The Making of The Magnificent Seven: Behind the Scenes of the Pivotal Western

The story behind The Magnificent Seven could have been a movie in itself. It had everything--actors' strike, writers' strike, Mexican government interference and a row between the screenwriters that left one removing his name from the credits, all under the lingering gloom of post-McCarthy era Hollywood. A flop on release, it later became a box office hit. This book tells the behind-the-scenes story: how Yul Brynner became the biggest independent producer in Hollywood; why John Sturges was not the first choice after Brynner surrendered the director's chair; why Sturges quit; the truth about the Mirisch Company (producers); the details of the film's botched release and unlikely redemption; the creation of Elmer Bernstein's classic score; and how internecine fighting prevented the making of the television series in 1963. Myths about Steve McQueen, his feud with Brynner and the scene-stealing antics of the cast are debunked. A close examination of the various screenplay drafts and the writers' source material--Akira Kurosawa's Seven Samurai--shows who wrote what. Extensive analysis of Sturges' directorial work is provided.

Table of Contents:
Table of Contents Acknowledgments Preface Introduction 1. The Arthouse Actioner 2. Yul Brynner, Movie Mogul 3. John Sturges and Mirisch: A Hollywood Marriage 4. Battle of the Scriptwriters 5. Walter Newman vs. William Roberts 6. Masquerade, Strike, Lawsuits, Censor 7. Casting: The Truth Went Thataway! 8. Egos Unleashed 9. Steve McQueen, Scene Stealer, Elmer Bernstein, Scene Setter 10. Breaking the Rules 11. Interlude: The Poster That Never Was 12. John Sturges: Artist and Economist 13. John Sturges: Battle Master 14. Interlude: Renegades and Firebrands 15. Encountering the Inevitable: Themes of The Magnificent Seven 16. The Film Nobody Remembers 17. Panic Stations 18. Showdown at the Box Office 19. Redemption 20. Magnificent Seven the Musical 21. Legacy Appendix: Seven Samurai Reissues Chapter Notes Bibliography Index

About the Author :
Brian Hannan writes a regular column for Cinema Retro magazine and gives lectures on film at Strathclyde University in Glasgow, Scotland.

Review :
“The Magnificent Seven can certainly lay claim to being the most loved [Western]...Hannan’s research for The Making of the Magnificent Seven is impressive...exhaustive...a story well told”— Wall Street Journal; “fascinating...meticulously charts Brynner’s rise to stardom and his desire to direct...strongly recommend[ed]...an engrossing read”—Classic Film and TV Café; “dredges up details of the technical, financial, political, personal, and artistic underpinnings of a western movie that significantly influenced the genre”—ProtoView; “fascinating...Hannan well documents the story behind the film which has everything...the book is a must read”—Western Clippings; “a thorough, fascinating, informative, and endlessly entertaining book length study on ‘The Making of The Magnificent Seven.’ The book is relentlessly fascinating, taking the reader on the complete journey of the film, from its inspiration, to its concept, its casting, production, execution, and impact. There is absolutely nothing about this movie that is overlooked in this study. Everything is given full and complete attention. The author is thorough without being convoluted, astute without being pedantic, and his stories continue to be interesting, informative, and enlightening. An impressive understanding of 60s cinema.... It is one of the best books written on a particular film”—Examiner; “recommended”—Flick Attack.