[Quick Summary: Seven gunslingers are hired to protect a farming town from thieves.]
I wasn't prepared for this turning point in the script.
It made me feel for Chris:
"HILARIO: It would be a blessing if you helped us.
CHRIS: I'm sorry - I'm not in the blessing business.
HILARIO: No, no. We offer more than that. We could feed you every day.
TOMAS: And we have this.......
Out of a bandana, Tomas lays on the bed, we see, as he spreads it open ---everything of value from the village; inexpensive jewelry, medallions, the Old Man's watch - etc.
CHRIS: What's that?
TOMAS: It's everything we own, everything of value in the village.
CHRIS: I've been offered a lot for my work, but never everything."
This reversal was very effective:
- Chris turns down the job offer.
- The villagers offer him (literally) everything they have.
- Their plight stirs something in him (perhaps the challenge)?
- He changes his mind to help.
I was much more moved by this moment of compassion than the later violence.
After this scene, Chris was a richer, deeper character for me.
WHAT I'VE LEARNED: Can one scene changed my mind about a character? Yes!
The Magnificent Seven (1960)
by Walter Newman
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