Customer Reviews

The Magnificent Seven

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Elmer Bernstein's score for THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN is an innovative and groundbreaking score ringing in a new era not only for the Western film genre but for all film music. Elmer Bernstein's main theme for THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN besides being highly recognizable is both rousing and reflective. It is a statement on the nature of bravery and nobility as the seven gunmen go up against innumerable odds for the rights of the downtrodden. The score is pensive yet contains great orchestral movement which not only advances the plot but entices the viewer to become enthralled in the drama. Bernstein infuses both traditional Western and Mexican orchestral flavor into the score, yet rearranges these styles to deliver the adventure and human drama of the tale. However, most importantly Bernstein asks the viewer by the film's finale to fathom the enigma of bravery and self-sacrifice of these seven noble gunmen. This recording is one of a handful of soundtracks that should be classified as essential.

It looked like the soundtrack to "The Magnificent Seven" would never return. But it has! This is the original version from the 1960 movie. It looked like we would never see it again when the Ryko CD went out of print. This is an esential score. Glad to have it back.

Some film scores are simply better than their films. It's been a while since I've seen "The Magnificent Seven" -- on television -- and I can only recall a big, lumbering, pale imitation of its source, the great "Seven Samurai," one of the most exciting movies ever. But in a key respect the Americans bettered the Japanese, with breathtakingly evocative music. If Elmer Bernstein pays homage to Copland -- quite a bit of it (and to Prokofiev, de Falla and Ravel too) he nonetheless weaves it into dramatically effective work identifiably his own. As one would expect with the author of "The Man with the Golden Arm" he is especially inventive in his use of guitar and percussion. Of course the main attraction is that leitmotif, the main-title theme (repeated six or seven times -- no problem when you get the goose bumps each time). The Philip Morris folks dumbed it down to sell Marlboros, and too many people surely think the score a mere excuse for a jingle. Removed from considerations of lung cancer and heart disease that theme is still one of the best. In its own odd way it suggests the pop music of the time -- one can hear Gene Pitney singing it (as he did the Bacharach-David tune "The Man who Shot Liberty Valance," a brazen but enjoyable copy), or Herb Alpert appropriating it several years later for his pop-mariachi sound -- and that only heightens the interest. No, this score is far more than ad music. This is a masterpiece.

Quite decent sound through speakers. In reviews of Rykodisc's initial release a number of people complained of distortion, and one mentioned tape hiss, and though the defects are vaguely audible -- you can hear the hiss fading out before the music -- there is no substituting for the authentic soundtrack ambience here.

Elmer Bernstein's score for THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN is an innovative and groundbreaking score ringing in a new era not only for the Western film genre but for all film music. Elmer Bernstein's main theme for THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN besides being highly recognizable is both rousing and reflective. It is a statement on the nature of bravery and nobility as the seven gunmen go up against innumerable odds for the rights of the downtrodden. The score is pensive yet contains great orchestral movement which not only advances the plot but entices the viewer to become enthralled in the drama. Bernstein infuses both traditional Western and Mexican orchestral flavor into the score, yet rearranges these styles to deliver the adventure and human drama of the tale. However, most importantly Bernstein asks the viewer by the film's finale to fathom the enigma of bravery and self-sacrifice of these seven noble gunmen. This recording is one of a handful of soundtracks that should be classified as essential. Though primitive sounding technically, this recording does contain many more cuts than found on Elmer Bernstein's Royal Scottish National Orchestra digital recording, the James Sedares digital recording on Kotch Int'l Classics and the original soundtrack to RETURN OF THE SEVEN. This recording is about the most complete to be found of the entire score.

Movie Music doesn't get any better than this. And this version of the original sound track does not disappoint.

Great soundtrack from the movie. You can remember scenes from the motion picture as you listen to the C.D. Great sound quality makes it a pleasure to hear.

I grew up viewing films and listening to their music soundtracks by Elmer Bernstein. I was a big fan of other music maestros of that era as well, such as Alfred Newman (How The West Was Won) and Jerome Moross (The Big Country). But Bernstein's original 1960 masterpiece, THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN and the 1966 sequel RETURN OF THE SEVEN were pure genius! In fact, the music score was actually better than the film itself. The music is what western film afficianados remember most about both movies. His rousing music score got as much publicity as any cast member in promoting THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN. Elmer Bernstein was a student of the great Aaron Copeland, whose own "Americana" approach was skillfully brilliant. Elmer Bernstein is a name in music that continues to be synonymous with creativity, versatility and longevity. He wrote the music for over 200 films and TV shows during his career. A longevity feat matched by no other film composer.

I can't think of a motion picture where the music was so important to the movie itself. The Magnificent7, holds up today as well as it did 50 years ago. Perfectly balanced, you can visualize the movie as the music plays. My all time favorite western movie, partly because of the terrific casting job they did and equally as important....the music. This CD is wonderfully put together and with today's technology it sounds better than ever. So if your a Magnificent7 fan, this is a must buy. Kicking back in your easy chair or hitting the road, this CD will just charge you up. I highly recommend this purchase. All i have left to say is......ENJOY.

I have seen this movie at least five times. Each time I realized more how important the music is to the excitement of the script. The actors themselves said so in several interviews. I still own a DVD of the movie, but now I can listen to the musical soundtrack as I wander around the house, pretending to be working.

I have waited a long time for "The Magnificent Seven" soundtrack to be available. It was well worth the wait. What a fantastic score! Makes me want to see the movie again. This version claims to be the actual soundtrack and it sounds like it to me. Good sound quality. I recommend it heartily. Just don't play it while driving. :)