A great Kurosawa remake that transforms the period drama "The Magnificent Seven" into a Western drama *Note! Contains spoilers.

Production systems are collapsing one after another

Yul Brynner changed direction to play the lead role of Chris, and Martin Ritt was appointed as director. He is a master craftsman who would later work on `` Hud '' (62) and `` The Spy Who Returned from the Cold '' (65). Walter Bernstein (1962), who wrote the screenplay, and Dimitri Tiomkin (1952), who wrote the music, were invited to compose the music.

However, this production system also collapsed. Martin Ritt left the project due to differences in direction. He will be replaced by John Sturges, who directed westerns such as ` `Duel at the OK Corral '' (1957) and ``Duel in Ghost Town'' (1958). This appointment was made on the advice of Walter Mirisch, who became producer. The screenplay written by Walter Bernstein was also significantly rewritten by Walter Newman. Newman's version of the scenario was further revised by William Roberts, who was credited solely to him in the film's credits.

"The Magnificent Seven" (c) Photofest / Getty Images

Dimitri Tiomkin, who was supposed to be the composer, clashed with director John Sturges. The two had worked together on ``Showdown at the OK Corral,'' but Sturges didn't like Tiomkin's theme song and decided to fire him. His successor was Elmer Bernstein, who had made a name for himself as an up-and-coming composer. The all-too-famous ``The Magnificent Seven'' theme song would not exist without Tiomkin's change of heart.

The biggest problem is casting. The Screen Actors Guild was planning a strike, and unless the casting issue was resolved soon, the film's production was expected to be significantly delayed. The production team found themselves in a situation where they had to decide on The Magnificent Seven...the Magnificent Seven while racing against time.

Seven gunslingers cast at a rapid pace