Description
Book SynopsisReleased in late 1960, The Magnificent Seven was a Western reimagining of the 1954 Japanese film Seven Samurai. Despite such stars as Steve McQueen, Yul Brynner, and Charles Bronson, the film was not terribly successful when it premiered. However, in the years since, the film has become recognized as a classic of the genre. And though the movie received only one Academy Award nomination, that honor was bestowed on Elmer Bernstein's rousing score. Beyond the scope of the film, the score has permeated American culture: the music has been used in countless commercials and referenced on television shows like Cheers and The Simpsons. But what makes this score so memorable?In Elmer Bernstein's The Magnificent Seven: A Film Score Guide, Mariana Whitmer examines the creation and development of one of the most iconic soundtracks in the history of cinema. Whitmer explores the significance of the familiar score through a variety of lenses, first delving into the background of Elmer Bernstein and
Trade ReviewPresented in a concise and accessible writing style, Whitmer’s close study of the score, narrative, and surrounding historical context of The Magnificent Seven will make an engaging text for students studying film music and is a captivating read for music and film scholars alike. . . . Whitmer notes that “music is integral to the drama, and it is applied with such notable attention to detail, that appreciating its assembly is like solving a puzzle” (p. 125). Throughout the book, Whitmer helps the reader gather and assemble those many puzzle pieces. Upon putting them together, one fully appreciates the score’s importance to The Magnificent Seven as well as its lasting influence on society’s understanding of nationalism and the mythologized American West. * Notes: Quarterly Journal of the Music Library Association *
