“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 SixJean 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 LegacyPete 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 StrugglesDespite 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:- The film's unusual opening heist sequence involving the Iranian crown jewels
- The gradual team-building approach and character dynamics
- James Mitchum's scene-chewing performance as the villain
- The stark contrast between the film's representation of Iran and post-revolution Iranian cinema
- The surprising violence and adult themes given the Iranian co-production status
- The memorable final showdown and its unexpectedly brutal conclusion
Performance and Production ContextPete 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!
🎬 Watch & DiscoverSupport The Next Reel Family of Film Podcasts: 
