The Magnificent Seven

The Magnificent Seven broadcasted by CBS from 1998-2000 is a Western drama series developed by Pen Densham and John Watson. The show is an adaptation of the 1960 movie of the same name that was in itself a remake of Akira Kurosawa's 1954 Japanese film "Seven Samurai". The show was the first attempt at capturing the glory of the Wild West on the small screen in the late '90s. Set in the rough-and-tumble town of Four Corners in the 1880s, it gets a good grip on the rugged, lawless nature of the American frontier during that time.

The plot depicts the story of seven men, each with distinctive skills, who come together and take on the responsibility of protecting the residents of the small town from various threats. As a team, their objective was to keep the peace and uphold justice, exhibiting individual expertise along with teamwork. They are led by the moral and determined Chris Larabee, portrayed by Michael Biehn. The members of this eclectic group also include a con man, a bounty hunter, a former slave-turned healer, a young and energetic gunslinger, a seasoned tracker, and a ladies' man.

Each character is developed with a complex personality and backstory, adding depth and intrigue to the series. The team's interactions, often filled with dry humor and displaying their camaraderie, further add dimension to the storyline. These elements, combined with the action-adventure sequences filled with gun fights and horse chases, gave the show an authentic western ambiance.

A notable feature of The Magnificent Seven is that despite following western tropes, it doesn't shy away from addressing serious social issues including racism, sexism, and injustice. It displays an ethical aspect, embedding moral values and dilemmas within the plotline, which differentiated it from standard Western shows.

The show was popular for its star-studded ensemble cast, including actors like Eric Close, Andrew Kavovit, Ron Perlman, Anthony Starke, and Dale Midkiff alongside Michael Biehn. In their respective roles, these actors have precisely captured the depth, character differences, and unity of the squad making the show engaging and multi-dimensional.

While the series was not always historically accurate, it encapsulated the harsh realities of life in the West during that era, building a visually stimulating representation that engaged viewers. This was complemented by the show’s skillful cinematography, artful direction, and engaging dialogue, which helped maintain its gritty, Western charm.

On the technical side, the series saw a combination of well-choreographed action sequences combined with interesting plots that played out over the short series of only two seasons. The combination of action, humor, intellect, and a certain degree of emotionally melodic background music, sets the show apart, often leaving the viewers gripped to their seat craving for more.

Overall, The Magnificent Seven offered a fresh take on the popular Western genre. Set in the post-Civil War era, it pushed the boundaries of the traditional Western series by exploring moral complexities and exhibiting robust character development. Offering high-stakes action and adventure, the series was and remains a fascinating experiment to bring the core Western experience to television, that was both respected and admired by the fans of the genre. However, the series was suddenly discontinued after two seasons making it a short but impactful stint in the landscape of television Westerns.