I magnifici sette

The Magnificent Seven, the original movie, is one of my favorites, and the TV series does justice to it. Although it's been somewhat cleaned up for TV, and the characters live every week, it's still a classic, serious TV western worthy of mention with other greats like Maverick, Have Gun, and Gunsmoke.

As a dyed-in-the-wool western fan for most of my life, I was a little dubious about the series, but when it finally aired in the UK I loved it!

Some of the direction in the Pilot was a little poor and haphazard, but I loved the chemistry between the seven actors, all of whom looked as though they were having a whale of a time.

The subject matter has been varied, from prostitution to slavery, serial murder to religious intolerance, a welcome change from the shoot-em-up mindless tosh we have been offered previously. Coupled with well-written, witty scripts and a fabulous cast, it has been a revelation.

Each of the seven is well-delineated, their characters complimenting each other; from the haunted leader to the smiling ladies'-man, the earnest healer to the acquistive gambler, the quiet, deadly sharpshooter to the brash greenhorn, and, of course, the great Ron Perlman as the penance-ridden ex-preacher, it has been a true delight.

Very saddening that it only lasted two seasons - the Powers-That-Be should be ashamed of themselves.

Yes, it is a western and sometimes violent by some standards, but there is so much more. How many shows are there that can be set over a hundred years ago and still address problems faced today?

The cast includes seven very different actors (much like the characters they portray) who come together in perfect harmony. The stories are well-written and directed. There is the perfect blend of action, suspense, and a little humor for good measure.

I jumped for joy when I found out that "The Magnificent Seven", formerly of CBS, was picked up by TNN. It now airs Wednesdays at 10pm eastern. It is the best show to come around in a long time and deserves the chance. Even if you don't like westerns, there's something here for you.

The Magnificent Seven is one of the best series already shown in the TV. In spite of a minority not to like of the show, happily for us a minority, the Internet is full of sites about the series, proving that it´s really an excellent show. With great actors and great histories. I hope that this show returns some day.

I have been hooked on this show since the pilot first aired. I was a fan of the original movie and love Westerns, so I had to check it out. I also was a fan of Michael Biehn, especially from science fiction, which didn't hurt.

What a treat! The actors are both handsome and skilled, the sets and plot lines are authentic, and there is a nice balance of drama and humor. There is plenty of room for plot development and great interplay between a solid ensemble cast. I especially appreciate the inclusion of blacks, Latinos, and realistic portrayals of Native Americans -- the West was widely populated with all types of people, and that comes through clearly here. The guest stars have also been fantastic, and some may become regular guests.

I've been taping and re-watching each episode several times -- it's that good. If you haven't watched it yet, check it out -- you won't be sorry!

Kali