It’s an action-packed western, but its final line will make you shed a little tear

Discover or rediscover the end of The Seven Mercenaries and in particular its last line, moving as can be, which concludes a pure action western with a little sentimental and even philosophical touch, yes!

This heartbreaking line is delivered to us by Chris (Yul Brynner), who confides to his comrade Vin (Vic in VF), played by Steve McQueen:

Yes, the old man was right. Only the farmers won. Not us. We always lose.

This philosophical reflection from Chris is followed by the image of three Mexican children coming to decorate the grave of Bernardo, one of the “7”, who fell in battle for wanting to protect the village and the children there. . Under the gaze of the “old” farmer (Vladimir Sokoloff), Chris and Vin set off alone, towards the distance.

Before going to find out why Steve McQueen had to crash his car to shoot the film, rewatch this incredible scene:

And indeed, in addition to being a very good action film by John Sturges, The Seven Mercenaries aims precisely to reflect on the very condition of these gunslingers renting themselves to the highest bidder, on their possibility of one day accessing a personal life far removed from repeated shootings.

MGM

However, the observation of the film, a remake of Seven Samurai) is unequivocal: 4 of the mercenaries are dead: one was already traumatized by this life of permanent danger (Robert Vaughn), another was greedy (Brad Dexter), another had a paternal instinct that he could never develop (Charles Bronson) and the last one saw it as an easy job allowing him to do nothing the rest of the time (James Coburn).

MGM

Only Chico (Horst Buchholz) will stay as a farmer and start a family. He won. Chris and Vin (Brynner and McQueen) return to their solitude towards the setting sun while waiting for the next city, the next challenge… and the bullet that will kill them.