(thomas schatz) the western dragged the past with it about 50 years ahead. as the western evolves, it's looking at civilization that becomes more and more sophisticated. the hero can no longer exercise his code in a way that's acceptable to himself or to society. he becomes an outlaw or a gun for hire. (narrator) in 1960, john sturges made the "magnificent seven," one of the first films dealing with the west's end. (john sturges) what does a gunfighter do after his prime is past? what do you do when you're a gunfighter? how do you retire? you're forced to change. you're forced to be somebody else. you're forced to cope. that's good story material. your gun has got you everything you have, isn't that true? hmmm? yeah, sure, well isn't ieverything. after a while you cacall bartenders and fa dealers by their first name, maybe 200 of them. rented rooms yoli i 500. meals you eat in hash home, none.housand. wife, none kids, none. prospects, zero. (music playing) ♪ mamma, take ♪ this badge offa me ♪ i can't use it anymore ♪ it's gettin' dark ♪ too dark to see ♪ fee