Return Of The Magnificent Seven: Original MGM Motion Picture Soundtrack [Enhanced CD] [Soundtrack]

Elmer Bernstein | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 24, 1998)
• Original Release Date: October 19, 1966
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack
• Label: Rykodisc
• ASIN: B000005Z5Y
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #312,226 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. The Magnificent Seven

2. Bandidos

3. Return Of The Seven

4. Defeat

5. Mariachis De Mexico

6. Never Shot A Man

7. El Toro

8. The Journey

9. Five Winchesters

10. Council

11. Petra's Declaration

12. A Little Talk

13. In The Trap

14. Every Last One

15. Battle

16. Finale

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars RETURN OF THE SEVEN Soundtrack is a Classic, November 16, 2000

By 

gobirds2 (New England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Return Of The Magnificent Seven: Original MGM Motion Picture Soundtrack [Enhanced CD] (Audio CD)

Officially this is the soundtrack to the1966 film "RETURN OF THE SEVEN," the sequel to John Sturges' 1960 classic Western, "THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN." Elmer Bernstein's score for "THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN" was innovative and groundbreaking ringing in a new era for film scoring. This is a reissue of the original 1966 United Artists album on compact disc and it sounds very good, excellent! This 1966 recording is very much welcomed. With this recording Elmer Bernstein was able to bolster up the strength and power of the orchestra and Leo Shuken and Jack Hayes improved on the orchestrations. This 1966 recording is dynamically more brilliant compared to the 1960 score. In 1994 maestro James Sedares conducted the most complete digital recording of the 1960 "THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN" score with the Phoenix Symphony. The Sedares recording is excellent, but I find the tempo of Bernstein's 1966 recording to be more accurate. Also, "In the Trap" is not included on the Sedares recording. The only complaint I always had with the 1966 recording is with Track 1 "The Magnificent Seven." The track comes to a definite end as if it were a concert piece. As heard in the actual films, "THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN" and "RETURN OF THE SEVEN," the main title does a smooth transition directly into "Calvera's Visit." The Sedares recording follows the film cue. Unlike with Berstein's 1963 soundtrack "THE GREAT ESCAPE" reissue, I do not care for the dialogue tracks included on the "RETURN OF THE SEVEN" compact disc. There is some excellent dialogue in "RETURN OF THE SEVEN." I saw this film in the theatre in 1966. The audience broke out in applause several times with some of the lines that Yul Brynner had with Warren Oates and Claude Akins. As for Elmer Bernstein's brilliant theme, the tune is immortal, as is this recording. It stands along side Jerome Moross' main title for 1958's "THE BIG COUNTRY," equally immortal. There have never been two greater Western themes from the cinema. Moross' theme is pure Americana and conjures up the American spirit of the individual to persevere against all obstacles and never bend one's principles to satisfy another's. Bernstein's theme is both rousing and reflective and is a statement on bravery and man's defense of the downtrodden, to take up a cause for good when the odds aren't. Both men's musical themes address and define the very essence of what distinguishes traditional American Westerns from other cinematic subjects. One note, since 1966's "RETURN OF THE SEVEN" went to video it has been re-titled "RETURN OF THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN."

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Elmer Bernstein is one of the best!, June 11, 2000

By 

Gerald R. Boothe "Jerry" (Lakewood, WA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Return Of The Magnificent Seven: Original MGM Motion Picture Soundtrack [Enhanced CD] (Audio CD)

I love western soundtracks and Return of the Magnificient 7 is definitely part of my collection. There is some similarity to The Magnificient 7 but Mr Bernstein uses his masterful technique to change the western sound just a tad, but not to offend the listener. I enjoyed this CD asmuch as I did the movie, as usually the case.

5.0 out of 5 stars Took them long enough!, January 24, 2012

By 

J. Knokey - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Return Of The Magnificent Seven: Original MGM Motion Picture Soundtrack [Enhanced CD] (Audio CD)

This soundtrack saved my life in high school. I was a serious soundtrack freak and just knew I was going to die if UA didn't release the music from "TM7". Which they never had in years, probably because of some agreement with Marlboro, who used its main theme for their cigarette commercials. FINALLY "Return" came out. It wasn't the worst sequel ever made but as far as I could see the only worthwhile result was they FINALLY released the original movie's music in the guise of the sequel's soundtrack. I don't know if Bernstein didn't want to do new music or they couldn't afford him or what, but the smartest thing UA did was use ALL the music from the first one. In great sound that still stands up. So if you don't like the re-recordings, this is the one to get. Wouldn't be surprised if after paying Brynner's salary UA cheaped out and just recycled the first one's music in toto. Bless their cost-conscious hearts.