Director John Sturges (The Great Escape, Gunfight at the OK Corral) was extremely fortunate in securing a near-perfect cast for this enduringly popular western reworking of the Japanese classic, Seven Samurai. Not content with forging a new iconic image for King of Siam Yul Brynner as a black-clad gunslinger, he also created key star-making roles for 1960s sensations Steve McQueen, James Coburn and Charles Bronson. The use of Panavision landscape is glorious to behold, Eli Wallach is a suitably slimy villain and the action sequences are tremendously exciting. There's also one of the greatest musical themes ever written for a movie in an altogether fine brass-led score by composer Elmer Bernstein. If you've never seen it, don't miss. And if you have, enjoy again a visit south of the border with some old and trusty amigos. By the way, the one nobody can remember is Frank Sinatra's friend, Brad Dexter.

An oppressed Mexican peasant village hires seven gunfighters to help defend their homes.