The Quick and the Dead (1995)

Directed by: Sam Raimi | 107 minutes | action, western, adventure | Actors: Sharon Stone, Gene Hackman, Russell Crowe, Leonardo DiCaprio, Lance Hendriksen, Keith David, Pat Hingle, Kevin Conway, Gary Sinise, Tobin Bell, Roberts Blossom, Mark Boone Junior, Olivia Burnette, Fay Masterson, Raynor Scheine, Woody Strode Jerry Swindall, Scott Spiegel, Jonothon Gill, Sven-Ole Thorsen, Lennie Loftin, Matthew Gold, Arturo Gastelum, David Cornell, Josef Rainer, Stacy Linn Ramsower

‘The Quick and the Dead’ is an underrated, underrated western from Sam Raimi, who came just too late for the brief revival that ‘Unforgiven’ brought to the genre. Perhaps this is because the film is both a parody of and homage to ‘the Old West’. In any case, ‘The Quick and the Dead’ should be considered more of a fantasy than a real, realistic western.

In any case, there are plenty of stars to admire. Known simply as “The Lady”, although we later learn her first name, Stone drives into town to take revenge on Herod for what was done to her in the past. This story is shown in a number of flashbacks, with Sinise as her very unfortunate father. The role of Herod is taken on by Hackman, who always does well as a villain, here in a sort of recap of his role in the aforementioned Eastwood movie. In supporting roles, in addition to a number of familiar faces that the average viewer will not immediately have a name by, the then unbreakable Crowe and DiCaprio can be seen. Crowe plays a former accomplice of Hackman, who has become a priest and is forced to enter the tournament. DiCaprio is “The Kid,” a boy who may be Herod’s son and is eager to prove himself in the tournament to earn his father’s respect.

All of this is presented with a wink in perspective, without however discrediting the genre. The film is certainly humorous at times, but there are also enough grim moments to counterbalance it. Of course, director Raimi again uses all kinds of visual tricks and that is enjoyment for the fans. Camera shots from the ‘point of view’ of a bullet and bizarre nooks and crannies give the whole thing a crazy twist, which fits perfectly within the entire context of the film.

The plot, on the other hand, is simple and straight forward, without major dramatic developments or Oscar-worthy performances. Instead, the movie features a colorful cast and wonderfully filmed entertainment.