Guns of the Magnificent Seven

Right now you can watch Guns of the Magnificent Seven in Australia on Amazon Prime Video, and in the US on Amazon Prime Video and YouTube TV — and it holds up to as much attention as you give it. The runtime earns every minute, with nothing here that feels like padding. With 118 viewer ratings on TMDB, this is not a title flying under the radar. George Kennedy's performance alone is worth the time investment. Available now on Amazon Prime Video — press play and find out why people keep recommending it.

Whatever else is competing for your attention this week, Guns of the Magnificent Seven is worth clearing space for. Guns of the Magnificent Seven trusts its audience to sit with discomfort instead of resolving it too quickly. When Mexican revolutionary leader Quintero is left to rot in jail by the forces of President Diaz, it's up to his subordinate, Max, to bust him out. With $600 in hand, he crosses the border into America and hires Chris Adams, a mercenary of considerable skill, who uses the rest of the cash on more hired guns. After the team is rounded out by experts on close-combat fighting, explosives, and knife-throwing, they set off to free Quintero. George Kennedy and James Whitmore lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was released in 1969. The performances in Guns of the Magnificent Seven do a lot of work in the silences between the dialogue. There is real craft here, even in the moments that do not fully land.

Guns of the Magnificent Seven is what you recommend to people who say they do not really watch much. If you have run out of similar titles to watch, this is a strong next pick. Best experienced as a single, sustained watch from start to finish. George Kennedy is the centre of it, and it is one of their strongest performances on record. The patience it asks of you early on is paid back with interest.