Elmer Bernstein: The Magnificent Seven

Elmer Bernstein's theme for The Magnificent Seven must rate as one of the most emotive Western themes ever and after more than 40 years it can still cause goose bumps.

Released: 1960
Directed by: John Sturges
Cast: Yul Brynner, Steve McQueen, Charles Bronson, Robert Vaughan, James Coburn

The Film: An oppressed Mexican peasant village assembles seven gunfighters to help defend their homes in John Sturges's remake of Akira Kurosawa's classic The Seven Samurai, which has become an influential film in its own right.

Composer: Elmer Bernstein was a true movie master and is responsible for some of the most iconic theme tunes of the second half of the 20th Century. His incredible body of work includes The Great Escape, My Left Foot, Cape Fear, The Age of Innocence and the original music for The Blues Brothers, but although nominated for an Oscar 14 times for his scores, he only won once – for Thoroughly Modern Millie.