Made in 1959 and released in 1960 The Magnificent Seven marks the end of the traditional style of the Western genre. It is a Good Samaritan story with a difference, and it is clear to see the change in certain existing preconceptions within the film that contrast so greatly with those of it's predecessors amongst the traditional western. .
The initial perceptions of Mexicans within The Magnificent Seven are the same typical Mexican stereotypes within American Western movies up to and including the 1960's, these being the terrorising Bandido, and the helpless peasants. These two stereotypical character types are thrust, together, into the very first scene of the film. A long distance camera pans across an arid Mexican landscape. A group of unknown horsemen ride across the plains, and into a Mexican peasant village. The structures within the village are simple, made only of wood and clay. The shot then cuts to a medium shot of several of the village's inhabitants. They are dark skinned, dressed all in white, all wear sombreros, and have very little if any individuality in their appearance. .
This is the first of the two stereotypes that appear, the peasants. They maintain many of the distinguishing features that led in the first place to the stereotype's introduction. Their homogeneity and absolute lack of individuality only act to emphasise the fact that they are not characters but are indeed only labels. .
The horsemen arrive in the village, and dismount their horses. The lead horseman forms the second successive stereotypical figure within the scene, the Bandido. In appearance he is very different to the village peasants, where they are frail and malnourished he is far more rounded, and healthier looking. Again in contrast to their plain and non-identifiable clothing, his clothing is full of colour, the colour red in particular, the colour of danger and spilt blood. He is certainly identifiable as the wealthier type of Mexican.
In the 1550s the Popol Vuh, an elaborate account of the history and mythology of the Quiché people in Mexico, was recorded in Spanish. 2 In the older civilizations, as in Egypt, Mesopotamia, and China, historical records appear immediately after the appearance of writing, for conquering kings wished to record their triumphs for all posterity. ...
