A Reason to Live, A Reason to Die

About this Broadcast

During the American Civil War, a Union officer faces disgrace for handing over a fort to the Confederates. Determined to regain his honour, he rescues seven men condemned to death and offers them a stay of execution if they help him retake the fort. Spaghetti Western, starring James Coburn and Telly Savalas

1972 HD subtitles continued

Movie/Drama Western

Cast & Crew

James Coburn (Actor) .. Col Pembroke

Telly Savalas (Actor) .. Maj Ward

Bud Spencer (Actor) .. Eli Sampson

Rene Kolldehoff (Actor) .. Sgt Brent

Jose Suarez (Actor) .. Maj Charles Ballard

Ugo Fangareggi (Actor) .. Ted Wendel

Guy Mairesse (Actor) .. Donald MacIvers

Benito Stefanelli (Actor) .. Piggott

Tonino Valerii (Director)

More Information

Did You Know..

James Coburn (Actor) .. Col Pembroke

Born: August 31, 1928 in Laurel, Nebraska

Best Known For: A string of movie roles.

Early-life: James Harrison Coburn III was born in Laurel, Nebraska, on August 31, 1928 to Mylet Johnson and James Coburn Jr. He was raised in Compton, California. After studying drama at Los Angeles City College, he made his stage debut at the La Jolla Playhouse in Herman Melville's Billy Budd. He made his film debut in the western Ride Lonesome (1959).

Career: Coburn raised his profile following appearances in The Magnificent Seven (1960), The Great Escape (1963), Charade (1963), The Americanisation of Emily, and Major Dundee (1965). His other film credits include A Fistful of Dynamite (1972), Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid (1973) and Cross of Iron (1977). Rheumatoid arthritis limited his output in the 1980s but he enjoyed a career resurgence in the 1990s with supporting roles in the likes of Young Guns II (1990), Hudson Hawk (1991), Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit (1993), Maverick (1994), Eraser (1996), The Nutty Professor (1996), and Affliction (1997), for which he won an Academy Award. He died of a heart attack on November 18, 2002, at the age of 74.

Quote: "The Magnificent Seven was really kind of a miraculous event that took place in my life."

Trivia: Coburn loved fast cars. He voiced the character Henry J Waternoose in Monsters, Inc (2001).