I just watched a Spanish-dubbed version of this movie on YouTube since it was the only full version I managed to find online. Since there was no closed captioned English subtitles, I relied on the visual touches and reading the Wikipedia synopsis beforehand to figure out what was going on. After watching, I then reread that synopsis, looked at some actual clipped scenes in the actual English on YT, and read some of the reviews here. Anyway, since this was the first time I've seen any of these Magnificent Seven movies, I watched this one with a fresh perspective. George Kennedy, having done many major supporting parts for years, is the lead character and even just going by his facial reactions, projects authority and respect for his character. I also liked seeing newbies Bernie Casey and Joe Don Baker initially cause friction for each other before respecting their differences. And while there were many scenes that threatened to become shocking by their brutality, director Paul Wendkos never crosses the line into redundancy concerning the violence. So on that note, despite the language problems, I highly enjoyed Guns of the Magnificent Seven.

Guns of the Magnificent Seven is directed by Paul Wendkos and written by Herman Hoffman. It stars George Kennedy, James Whitmore, Monte Markham, Reni Santoni & Joe Don Baker. Music is by Elmer Bernstein and Antonio Macasoli is the cinematographer. It's the second sequel to The Magnificent Seven which was based on Akira Kurosawa's Seven Samurai. Plot finds Kennedy and his assembled group of gunmen hired to rescue a revolutionary from a Mexican dictator. Routine but very watchable entry in the "Seven" franchise. It's nicely cast with Kennedy, Whitmore, Baker and Bernier Casey effective, and the photography from Macasoli is pleasing and makes the Spanish location feel period Mexico. There's also good value in the writing as regards the characters and their hang-ups, while the climax is high on noise and adrenalin. Clearly not a patch on the original film, and when it all comes down to it this film wasn't wanted or needed. But as it is, it's a decent time filler for those after a bit of standard gunslinging adventure. 6/10

A competently crisp, but flat instalment to the series. Those who have seen the previous films, would go in knowing what to expect as the material establishes the same formulaic staples from the moralistic backhand (fighting for a purpose) to the well-oiled action set-pieces (the big climatic showdown). "Guns" is the second sequel which saw George Kennedy (who isn't too bad) taking over Yul Brynner's role and filling those boots was going to be a big task. While it looked good with some striking scenic location photography, inventively sharp camera angles and a sprawling score that thunders away, the hardy action is rather lightweight and uninspired, while the pacing was uneven and the characters have little more than a minor sketching. A strong cast is evident (James Whitmore, Joe Don Baker, Monte Markham and Bernie Casey) but their portrayals don't have much of a mark say like the original feature did. Distinguishable, but forgettable. Casey had some presence and Baker was the only one to sightly stand out as a gunfighter with a limp arm. A modest western foray.

"When love congeals it soon reveals the faint aroma of performing seals" wrote Lorenz Hart who knew a good few things about love,the movies and even performing seals for all I know.Certainly a seal - like aroma pervades this truly terrible rip - off (sorry,sequel) to a much - loved original.Any remaining goodwill is soon dispersed with the appearance of George Kennedy (with a laughable syrup) as a narrow - eyed cigar chomping "Chris".He is squeezed into trousers at least two sizes too small which has the effect of making his bum resemble that of a less than athletic hippopotamus and has trouble bending down - let alone running.He recruits a crew of second - rate (James Whitmore always excepted)TV actors to rescue Fernando Rey who would quite like to escape from a Mexican prison and who can blame him? Bernie Casey plays a "Blaxploitation"dude a hundred years before his time ,is handy with a Gatling gun and often artistically covered with sweat but - like the others - dies with a whimper rather than a roar. The only other even vaguely interesting figure is Joe Don Baker as a disabled ( or crippled - as he delicately puts it)Confederate Civil war vet who,like Chris,can hardly hobble and it is hardly a surprise that he is less than adept at dodging bullets when the time comes. George Kennedy only seems happy when he is leaning against a doorway/hitching post/adobe wall lighting a cigar and narrowing his eyes - he does a lot of that. In the circumstances it is almost a blasphemy to use Elmer Bernstein's iconic music and it only serves to underline how far down the path of mediocrity "Guns of the Magnificent Seven" has wandered. A lot of Mexican soldiers are slaughtered at the end - a large proportion of whom are,for some reason not wearing a shirt.Kennedy and Whitmore ride off into the sunset.Hopefully the next time he tries recruiting mercenaries at a hundred bucks a pop he will go for quality rather than quantity.