“I tell you something, man, I’d really love to get my hands on that sleepy-eyed bastard.”
From Iran With Mayhem: The Curious Case of The Invincible Six
Jean Negulesco's 1970 action-adventure The Invincible Six represents a fascinating moment in Iranian cinema history. Shot during Iran's pre-revolution period of international co-productions, this Seven Samurai-inspired tale brought together an eclectic international cast including Stuart Whitman, Elke Sommer, and Curt Jurgens. The film, adapted from Michael Barrett's novel "The Heroes of Yuca," transplants its source material from South America to the Iranian desert, showcasing the country's dramatic landscapes through Negulesco's celebrated widescreen compositions. Join us—Pete Wright and Andy Nelson—as we wrap up our return to our Seven Samurai Family series with a conversation about The Invincible Six.
A Peculiar Addition to the Seven Samurai Legacy
Pete and Andy explore how this unique entry fits into their ongoing examination of Seven Samurai-inspired films. While acknowledging the film's numerous flaws, they find themselves surprisingly engaged by its peculiar charms, particularly the chemistry among its international ensemble cast and the film's ambitious use of Iranian locations.
Technical Achievement vs Narrative Struggles
Despite working with significant technical limitations (the only available version being a poor-quality 4:3 VHS transfer), the hosts recognize Negulesco's skilled visual composition and effective use of the Iranian landscape. They discuss how the director's expertise with CinemaScope potentially created a more visually striking film than what's currently available to viewers.
Key discussion points include:
Performance and Production Context
Pete and Andy spend considerable time discussing the cast's contributions, particularly highlighting Stuart Whitman's charismatic presence and Curt Jurgens' welcome appearance. They also explore the historical context of Iranian international co-productions and how The Invincible Six marked the end of Negulesco's ambitious plans for further Iranian-American collaborations.
We have a great time talking about it, so check it out then tune in. The Next Reel—when the movie ends, our conversation begins!
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