The Magnificent Seven: A Deeper Dive into Survival and Death

To answer the question of which of the seven characters died in the various versions of The Magnificent Seven, it's essential to clarify which specific adaptation you are referring to. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the characters and events in each version:

Original 1960 Film: The Magnificent Seven

When discussing the original 1960 film, four of the seven characters survive. The characters portrayed by Horst Buchholz, Steve McQueen, and Yul Brenner are the survivors. On the other hand, the characters played by Jack Palance, Robert Vaughn, Frank Arthur, Charles Bronson, and Robert Towne met their untimely end during their heroic defense of the town.

2016 Remake: The Magnificent Seven

In the 2016 remake with Denzel Washington as lead, the death toll among the main characters is slightly different. The film has a total of 206 kills, with 5 of the major characters, namely Pratt, Hawke, Donofrio, Lee, and the character known as “Bogue,” meeting their demise. The documentary score of the film resulted in 211 deaths in total, a stark contrast to the original 1960 adaptation. Much like its predecessor, the 2016 version also saw numerous villains and villagers perishing in the process of defending the town from attackers.

1998–2000 TV Series: The Magnificent Seven

For the 1998–2000 TV series, all seven characters survived the entire run of the show. This adaptation took the concept and characters from the 1960 film and expanded the story into a series that saw the characters continuing their journey.

1954 Japanese Film: The Seven Samurai

Before the 1960 western adaptation, there was the original 1954 Japanese film, The Seven Samurai. In this film, three of the masterless samurai warriors survive, while the rest do not. It's worth noting that the number of deaths among the villagers and villains is not documented, but it can be inferred that their numbers are significant.

Comparison and Summary

If you are referring to the main characters in The Magnificent Seven, four of the seven die in each main adaptation: the 1960 film, the 2016 remake, and the TV series. In the original 1960 film, the death toll of the seven characters is relatively lower compared to the 2016 remake. In contrast, the TV series allows for a more prolonged narrative with all survivors.

It's essential to recognize that the death count in these films is elevated by the high number of both villains and villagers who perish during the conflict. The messages of sacrifice and heroism are significantly portrayed through these deaths, making each adaptation a thrilling tale of survival.