ironhorse_iv
The fact that this movie & play is based on the short story "The Sobbin' Women", by Stephen Vincent Benét, which in turn based on the legendary story of rape, during ancient Rome is telling you something. Yes, I know, the word 'rape', meant something different back then, but it's still abduction, no matter, what it was called, back then. Plus, if you believe that the abduction of the Sabine women by the first generation of Roman men was pretty harmless, then you really don't know, history. Clearly, some form of sexual violation, was indeed made. I know the conservatives 1950s, were misogyny, but honestly, whom bright idea was it to make a movie based on this 'Rape of the Sabine Women' legend, anyways!? Clearly, it wasn't the producers of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, as they were more interested in financially, 1954's 'Brigadoon', over this musical western movie. Because of the studio, slashing the budget on this film, it kinda forced director Stanley Donen and his crew to use painted backdrops instead of filming on location, get clothes from the Salvation Army and use of Ansco color film because it was cheaper than Technicolor. I don't blame the studio at all for doing that. After all, the plot about seven brothers, leaded by a selfish backwoodsman named Adam Pontipee (Howard Keel) who thinks that kidnapping seven women, and trying to force them to marry them, even if the ladies don't want to, sounds awful. I get that, the boys had to learn their lesson and treat them with courtesy and respect for the rest of the film, but honestly, did they really learn from their mistake. After all, the fact, that all of the kidnapped women decide to marry their captors, after they put that heist, shows that they had, learn nothing, as the plan kinda work. Yes, I get that the girls were somewhat angry at first, and they were written to be, very attracted to the brothers, for some odd reason, but honestly, what reasons, do they really have, continue to hang out with the boys after doing that stunt. They only knew, them for a few hours, on one day. You would think, that some of them, would leave, once spring comes. It would make more sense, but I guess, all of the women are alright being housekeepers and cooks, and being marry to men that kidnap them. It's as odd, as Milly (Jane Powell) staying with Adam, after knowing him for only a few hours in the beginning. It's a bit unrealistic. Anyways, the whole idea of them, going through this, screams Stockholm-Syndrome! Even the climax of the film is horrible, when you think, deep about it, with the shotgun baby style wedding. As much as it seem like, I hate the film, I will defend it, from other critics, that argue that the movie is all, but promoting rape, which is kinda unfair. While, there is a very strong subtext of lust, throughout the film, none of the brothers have any intention of raping anyone. Still, the whole idea of backwoodsmen learning the proper way of courtship, still makes a horrible plot, for a family friendly musical! Before, I go way overboard on how this movie is being misogyny, and seem like some crazy social justice warrior, there is some other things about this film, that really bug me. One is the music by composter, Saul Chaplin and Gene de Paul, with lyrics by Johnny Mercer. The music of the film, to me, seemed, like a mixed bag. As much, as I like the songs, 'Bless Your Beautiful Hide' & 'Wonderful, Wonderful Day', the other songs, weren't so memorable. The songs got worst as the movie went on. Lots of repetitive beat and lyrics. Another mixed bag with the movie is the dancing. It's weird, how not all of the brothers were dancers & singers in a movie that supposed to be a musical. It was pretty weird to see, Adam and Benjamin (Jeff Richards) barely moving to Michael Kidd's unusual dance choreography. Yes, I get that, their characters are supposed to be, hillbillies who can't move to a beat, but it's a bit jarring, to see how good, some of the brothers were in dancing, while others struggle. Honestly, wouldn't it, make more sense, if all of the brothers, awkwardly dance, seeing how Milly only had a few hours to teach them, before the barn raising event. Despite that, I like how unique, the dance numbers were. The chopping wood and raising a barn scene are, by far, the best from the film. It just sucks, that the wide screen film, doesn't work, much for the small screen, as it cuts, the large scope of the scene. Another thing, that bug me, about this film is how underdeveloped, some of the characters were. For the most part, besides the Old Testament names, the brothers are really hard to tell. Even, the women that they fell in love, with, are not really known, besides a few characteristic. All, I know is that supporting actress, Julie Newmar was really angry, on her lack of screen time. Even with that, the overall acting of all the cast is mediocre, at best. Overall: While in the end, the filmmakers, were able to pull the musical off, as this film was a box office hit at the time and won awards, despite having a scene where a bird hit the background painting. For me, and few others, no matter, how much praise this movie got at the time and now, this musical is a bit overrated. So, I kinda can't recommended it. Watch it, if you want, but for me, I'm staying far away from these brothers.
Gideon24
The 1954 musical classic Seven Brides for Seven Brothers is considered one of the crown jewels in the MGM gallery, but will primarily be remembered as the movie musical that brought a new respect to the art of choreography and made it socially acceptable for men to be dancers.The musical stars Howard Keel as Adam Pontipee, a backswoodman/farmer who runs a farm with his six brothers. One day Adam goes into town for supplies and returns with a wife named Milly (Jane Powell), who he has married basically as a maid, to cook and clean for Adam and his brothers. Initially fearful of what she has gotten herself into, Milly takes up the challenge, starting with cleaning up Adam's brothers, who know nothing about hygiene, etiquette, or courtship rituals, but what these guys really need Milly is unable to provide, but when they decide to go get what they want, encouraged by Adam, this creates a riff between Adam and Milly.Keel's rich baritone serves the role of Adam well and Powell had the best role of her career as the strong-willed Milly. The brothers are played by Jeff Richards, Tommy Rall, Matt Mattox, Jacques D'Ambroise, Marc Platt, and a very young Russ Tamblyn, but these guys were not hired for this movie for their acting ability, but for their ability as dancers and that is the thing that made this film so special. Michael Kidd's inventive and physically demanding choreography is easily the star of this musical. The barn raising sequence is already iconic and deservedly so. Personally, my favorite musical sequence in the film is a number called "Lonesome Polecat", a dreamy ballad performed by the six brothers, accompanied by a harmonica, a couple of saws, and an ax...minimal but magical. Kidd's demanding choreography brought a new respectability to the art of the dance and that it was acceptable for men to dance and still be considered masculine.The rest of the Johnny Mercer-Gene De Paul score includes "Bless Your Beautiful Hide", "Wonderful, Wonderful Day", "When You're in Love", and "Courtin".Stanley Donen's spirited direction and some really beautiful photography are the finishing touches on one of MGM's most entertaining offerings. The film also inspired two different television series as well as a Broadway musical.
Red-125
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954) was directed by Stanley Donen. It's the perfect 1950's musical, at least as far as the dancing is concerned. (The songs are enjoyable enough, but none of them became standards.) The plot is loosely based on Stephen Vincent Benet's short story, "The Sobbin' Women." It's not a great short story, and, thankfully, the scriptwriters just used it as a springboard for a more interesting version, based on Plutarch. This is where the subject gets very tricky. Plutarch does, indeed, write about "The Rape of the Sabine Women." Plutarch is mentioned by name as the source of the plan to kidnap young women from town and bring them up into the hills to provide brides for the six unmarried brothers. Modern scholars say that "rape," in this context isn't the correct term. It's a false cognate. "Rape" really meant "kidnapping" in Roman times. Plutarch tells us that the women weren't raped--they consented to marriages once they had been kidnapped. My thought is, "OK--what became of the women who didn't consent?" In any event, the kidnapped women in "Seven Brides" are safe in the house. "The boys can sleep in the barn." Still, if the thought of a musical comedy based on the acceptance of bride kidnapping doesn't appeal to you, you'll just have to avoid this film. At the beginning of the movie, the oldest brother, Adam (Howard Keel), does indeed marry Milly (Jane Powell). To find out what happens next with the other six women, you'll have to see the movie.As I wrote above, the music in "Seven Brides" is just acceptable, but the dancing really is amazing. (I kept thinking of Kermit the Frog shouting, "Everybody on stage for the big production number.") The big production numbers really work. Who cares if the snow is fake snow, and the backdrops are fake backdrops, and if the Hollywood studio is a thousand miles away from the Oregon mountains? The dancing is real.I saw this film on DVD. It would probably work better in a theater, because of the dancing, not the scenery. However, it's a great musical, and worth seeking out.P.S. Check out the young woman named Dorcas. "Seven Brides" was just the start of her long career.*Additional material* From my friend Myron, the dance maven:I read the Seven Brides/Brothers review. You are right on target. It has little value musically, but the dancing was choreographed by Michael Kidd who, although a "ballet" choreographer, created a decent repertoire of works for the concert and musical stages. I agree that is the highlight of that film.
