Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954)

88% of critics liked it
(24 reviews)
83% of users liked it
(52,631 ratings)

Based extremely loosely on the Stephen Vincent Benet story Sobbin' Women," Seven Brides for Seven Brothers is one of the best MGM musicals of the 1950s. Most of the story takes place on an Oregon ranch, maintained by Adam Pontabee (Howard Keel) and his six brothers, played by Jeff Richards, Russ… More Based extremely loosely on the Stephen Vincent Benet story Sobbin' Women," Seven Brides for Seven Brothers is one of the best MGM musicals of the 1950s. Most of the story takes place on an Oregon ranch, maintained by Adam Pontabee (Howard Keel) and his six brothers, played by Jeff Richards, Russ Tamblyn, Tommy Rall, Mark Platt, Matt Mattox, and Jacques d'Amboise (it is no coincidence that five of those six boys are played by professional dancers). When Adam brings home his new bride Milly (Jane Powell), she is appalled at the brothers' slovenliness and sets about turning these unwashed louts into immaculate gentlemen. During the boisterous barn-raising scene, the brothers get into a scuffle with a group of townsmen over the affection of six comely lasses: Virginia Gibson, Julie Newmeyer (later Newmar), Ruth Kilmonis (later Ruth Lee), Nancy Kilgas, Betty Carr, and Norma Doggett (yep, most of the girls are dancers, too). Yearning to become husbands like their big brother, they ask Adam for advice. Alas, he has been reading a book about the abduction of the Sabine Women (or, as he puts it, the Sobbin' Women); and, in order to claim their gals, Adam explains, the boys must kidnap them--which they do, after blocking off all avenues of escape. Vowing to remain on their best behavior, the boys make no untoward advances towards their reluctant female guests--not even during one of the coldest winters on record. Comes the spring thaw, the angry townsfolk come charging up the mountain, demanding the return of the stolen girls (who, by this time, have "tamed" their men). A happy ending is ultimately had by all in this delightful if politically incorrect concoction. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: G, 1 hr. 45 min.
Directed By: Stanley Donen
Written By: Stephen Vincent Benét, Albert Hackett
Genres: Western, Drama, Musical & Performing Arts, Classics, Comedy

In Theaters: Jul 22, 1954 Wide
On DVD: Apr 27, 1999
Studio: MGM Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
A profoundly sexist and eminently hummable 1954 CinemaScope musical with some terrific athletic Michael Kidd choreography and some better-than-average direction by Stanley Donen.
Variety Staff, Variety
This is a happy, hand-clapping, foot-stomping country type of musical with all the slickness of a Broadway show.
A.H. Weiler, New York Times
Although the powers at M-G-M are deviating from the normal song-and-dance extravaganza in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, it is a gamble that is paying rich rewards.
, Film4
The songs are not classic and the cast is exuberant rather than charismatic, but Kidd's energetic choreography triumphs.
Nell Minow, Common Sense Media
Thrillingly energetic dances on film.
Fernando F. Croce, CinePassion
Donen's manipulation of spinning torsos and piston-pumping knees across Cinemascope sprawls is inventive everywhere
Stephen Garrett, Time Out
This rather archly symmetrical movie musical is best seen as a dance-fest, with Michael Kidd's acrobatic, pas d'action choreography well complemented by ex-choreographer Donen's camera.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Corny as heck.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Written directly for ther screen, MGM's popular musical benefits immensely from Stanley Donen's deft direction, Michael Kidd's dynamic choreography, and Adolph Deutsch and Saul Chaplin's Oscar-winning score.
Emma Cochrane, Empire Magazine
Great songs, great set pieces and solid performances in this colourful and infectiously enjoyable musical.
Matt Bailey, Not Coming to a Theater Near You
The songs are knowingly corny and catchy as hell, the dancing is (quite rightly) renowned, the story is ludicrously sexist, and the whole film is just exceedingly watchable.
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
The dancing, in fact, holds up remarkably well, thanks to the inspired choreography of Michael Kidd.
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
...a big, brawling, rollicking movie that, old-fashioned or not, helped to open up the movie musical to widescreen singing and dancing.
Pete Croatto, Filmcritic.com
one of the greatest musicals, if not movies, of all time
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
A magical blend of the right story, a great score, and the astonishing choreography of Michael Kidd.

Read all 15 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Lady D

It's great to watch this after so many years, this film is a remindeer to me that my obsession for films started very young and I would watch the same three scenes in this film every day as a kid. A musical with a love theme, yet perhaps not in it's traditional sense. The… More
It's great to watch this after so many years, this film is a remindeer to me that my obsession for films started very young and I would watch the same three scenes in this film every day as a kid. A musical with a love theme, yet perhaps not in it's traditional sense. The film does look dated now but still highly successful as a stage show. Some great songs (and a few less enjoyable ones too), along with some fun rivalry. An early performance from Russ Tamblin, but most noteable performances for this film of course, were Howard Keel and Jane Powell
First L

People often think of the 1950s as just a repressed and conservative time in America, overlooking the fact that people were also quite odd and strange back then (watch a few episodes of the old Superman television series if you want further proof). Film-wise, the fifties were the… More
People often think of the 1950s as just a repressed and conservative time in America, overlooking the fact that people were also quite odd and strange back then (watch a few episodes of the old Superman television series if you want further proof). Film-wise, the fifties were the heyday of both the western and the musical, so it's no surpise when someone decided to combine the two. Okay, so Seven Brides for Seven Brothers isn't your typical western, but even though there's no gunfighting in the streets, it embodies the western spirit of the old west pioneers. The fun and frolic begins when a bunch of farmer brothers decides to take themselves some wife-womenfolk type thinga-mabobs. With the help of eldest brother Adam's good young wife, the other brothers learn a little about manners and how to woo the ladies without offering them chaws of tobaccey. The music may not be all that memorable, but the great performances make up for that. It's alot of corny fun from the oddball fifties.
Tim S

It's certainly not the best musical around, but it does have some charm.
danny d

an absolute classic western/musical featuring archaic but fun characters, great dance and fight choreography, and perfect music for the story. i grew up on this film and it gets better with each viewing.
Leigh R

So very cute and wonderfully musical.
Arash X

A good musical, It's really really cheesy but that's ok
Ken S

Thoroughly enjoyable rambunctious musical with Musical numbers by that always great Michael Kidd
Jennifer X

Snappy, catchy, and fun! It was ridiculously sexist, so much to the point of hilarity. The story is none too original, but the Oregon territory serves as a nice backdrop for a Stanley Donen movie. And the choreography is stunning!
Andrew F

This movie really caught me off guard. I actually liked it. The songs aren't great, but all of the characters are really likable.
Marion R

I thought this was really neat musical. It's fun and entertaining. I thought it was a well done film.
Patrick D

Terribly polically incorrectly, terribly sexist. Really funny though. These fuckers kidnap women in order to make them their brides and all the women fall in place.

Read all 11 featured audience ratings

Cast

            Howard Keel as Adam Pontabee

            Jeff Richards as Benjamin Pontabee

            Russ Tamblyn as Gideon Pontabee

            Tommy Rall as Frank Pontabee

            Marc Platt as Daniel Pontabee

            Jane Powell as Milly Pontabee

            Matt Mattox as Caleb Pontabee

            Howard Petrie as Pete Perkins

            Julie Newmar as Dorcas

            Jacques d'Amboise as Ephraim Pontabee

            Nancy Kilgas as Alice

            Betty Carr as Sarah

            Virginia Gibson as Liza

            Ian Wolfe as Rev. Elcott

            Earl Barton as Harry

            Dante DiPaolo as Matt

            Kelly Brown as Carl

            Matt Moore as Ruth's Uncle

            Dick Rich as Dorcas' Father

            Marjorie Wood as Mrs. Bixby

            Russell Simpson as Mr. Bixby

            Larry J. Blake as Drunk

            Tim Graham as Father

            Lois Hall as Girl

            Sheila James as Dorcas' Sister

            I. Stanford Jolley as Father

            Ruta Lee as Ruth

            Jarma Lewis as Lem's Girl Friend

            Anna Q. Nilsson as Mrs. Elcott

            Phil Rich as Prospector

            Russell Saunders
            
            Terry Wilson
            
            George Robotham as Swains

            Walter Beaver as Lem
See full cast