Seven Men From Now
Paramount Home Video
Unrated

Review by: Larry Thomas

I'm going out on a limb here to give a 4-heart plug to a film I've never seen.
How, in good conscience, can I do this, you may ask?

Just call me an optimist, but I've been waiting for this one even longer than King Kong, and it's not released until December 20. Seven Men From Now was made in 1956 by John Wayne's production company, and was the first (and many say the best) collaboration of star Randolph Scott with director Budd Boetticher and writer Burt Kennedy. After this film, the trio made three legendary westerns at Columbia (The Tall T, Ride Lonesome and Comanche Station) that are among the best westerns ever made. Unfortunately, none are on DVD, but they do turn up occasionally on Turner Classic Movies.

Since Seven Men From Now was made independently for Wayne's own company, the rights reverted to Wayne sometime in the 1970s and sat in the vault, along with other Wayne-produced titles, until this year. Everyone was excited about finally getting a restored DVD release of The High and The Mighty, but Seven Men From Now is what I want for Christmas.

In addition to Scott, the film stars Gail Russell and Lee Marvin, and features a newly-restored print via UCLA's film archives. I hope it lives up to my expectations.