The movie takes the storyline from the Japanese film Seven Samurai (in which poor peasants hire warriors to protect them) and adapts it to the Old West. In The Magnificent Seven, the peasants are Mexican villagers and the samurai are hired gunmen.
The gunmen are noble sorts in that they take up the cause of the peasants for very little reward. They become even more noble in this story as they rescue the Mexicans from some vicíous thugs. They learn some lessons about what it takes to be men. Eldredge's recipe for what a man needs to be authentic is discovered by them as they fight for the people of the village . To be truly masculine, men need a battle to fight, an adventure to live and a beauty to rescue.
A Battle to Fight
The peasants are oppressed by a gang led by Mexican bandit Calvera (Eli Wallach). He and his men regularly come into town and steal the peasants' crops, barely leaving them enough to live on. The peasants are terrified, and do not resist. But they are fed up with the cruelty of the bandits, and on the advice of a village elder they send three representatives across the border into the United States to find some hired guns.
The Mexican contingent discover Chris (Yul Brynner) and Vin (Steve McQueen) bravely facing down a group of bigots who refuse to allow an Indian to be buried in the local cemetery. The nerve and integrity Chris and Vin display are just the characteristics the peasants are looking for and they approach Chris for help.
When he hears their story, Chris agrees to recruit some gunmen despite the low pay offered by the peasants. Word gets out and Vin signs on, also. Both Chris and Vin endeavor to assist the Mexicans and their village for altruistic reasons. While no saints (Vin is a gambler, for example), Chris and Vin appear to have a sincere desire to save the Mexicans from their fate.
Lee (Robert Vaughn) on the other hand connects with them because he has lost his nerve. He not only desires to get his courage back, but also uses the venture as a means to run from those who are hunting him.
An Adventure to Live
While Chris and Vin join the Mexicans' cause out of selflessness, other rescuers include men who sign on for less lofty reasons. Bernardo (Charles Bronson) is an Irish-Mexican who is down-on-his luck. He is not only broke, but seemingly bored with his mundane job of cutting wood for his breakfast.
In addition to Bernardo, others looking for excitement are Harry (Brad Dexter), who believes Chris is hiding a big payday, and Britt (James Coburn) who associates with the group on a whim after first turning down the job. He is phlegmatic by nature, but is quick to use his gun or knife when challenged.
Bernado, Harry and Britt obviously need some hazardous untertaking to shake up their lives.
The final member of the seven is Chico (Horst Buchholz), a young and impetuous man looking to prove himself. He follows the rest of the company into Mexico and finally is accepted by them.
A Beauty to Rescue
After arriving in the Mexican village, the professionals begin to train the local peasants how to defend themselves. While doing so they begin to become friendly with them. They are intrigued, however, by the absence of women. While enjoying the companionship of the men and children, they obviously miss female company.
Chico is out scouting one day and discovers Petra (Rosenda Monteros), a beautiful Mexican woman who has been spying on him. He chases her down after she runs away. After Chico catches up with her, he forces her on to his horse and carries her off to town to show the others.
The seven then understand that the Mexicans fear for their women and have been hiding them. Chico rides off with Petra as his guide to find the other women and bring them back to the village for safety.
Chico tries to ignore his attraction to Petra and tells her that while they might kiss, he isn't the kind to settle down. As the battle with the bandits intensifies, Chico is motivated not only by the challenge of the fight, but by his wish to protect Petra. He is also conflicted, torn between his passion for her and his ambition to escape his commonplace past.
Chico eventually has to make a choice and determine whether his heart yearns for Petra more than it does for life in the saddle with the other adventurers.
Conclusion
The members of the Magnificent Seven each begin their story with different reasons for forming an alliance. By the end of it, they have all learned what is worth living and dying for as men.
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