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*The Quick and the Dead* (1995 film)

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*The Quick and the Dead* (1995 film)
NameThe Quick and the Dead
CaptionTheatrical release poster
DirectorSam Raimi
ProducerJoshua Donen, Allen Shapiro, Patrick Markey
WriterSimon Moore
StarringSharon Stone, Gene Hackman, Russell Crowe, Leonardo DiCaprio
MusicAlan Silvestri
CinematographyDante Spinotti
EditingPietro Scalia
StudioTriStar Pictures, Japan Satellite Broadcasting, IndieProd Company
DistributorTriStar Pictures
Released1995, 02, 10
Runtime107 minutes
CountryUnited States, Japan
LanguageEnglish
Budget$35 million
Gross$47.1 million

*The Quick and the Dead* (1995 film) is a Revisionist Western directed by Sam Raimi and starring Sharon Stone, who also served as a producer. The film follows a mysterious female gunslinger who arrives in the corrupt town of Redemption to participate in a deadly single-elimination quick-draw tournament organized by its tyrannical sheriff. Featuring a stylized, hyperbolic visual approach characteristic of Raimi's work, the film blends traditional Western tropes with graphic violence and dark humor.

Plot

A mysterious woman known only as "The Lady" rides into the town of Redemption, controlled by the brutal Herod. She enters a single-elimination quick-draw tournament he is hosting, where contestants duel to the death. Through flashbacks, it is revealed she is Ellen, the daughter of a man Herod murdered years earlier, and she seeks vengeance. The tournament progresses, eliminating various gunfighters, including the idealistic The Kid, who believes Herod is his father. Ellen confronts Herod in the final duel, killing him and freeing the town from his grip before riding away.

Cast

* Sharon Stone as Ellen "The Lady" * Gene Hackman as John Herod * Russell Crowe as Cort * Leonardo DiCaprio as Fee "The Kid" Herod * Tobin Bell as Dog Kelly * Lance Henriksen as Ace Hanlon * Pat Hingle as Horace * Gary Sinise as The Marshal * Kevin Conway as Eugene Dred * Mark Boone Junior as Scars * Olivia Burnette as Katie * Roberts Blossom as Doc Wallace * Woody Strode as Charlie Moonlight * Sven-Ole Thorsen as Gutzon * John Cameron as Spotted Horse

Production

Development began when screenwriter Simon Moore wrote the original spec script. Sharon Stone, then a major star following Basic Instinct, championed the project, bringing it to TriStar Pictures and using her influence to secure Sam Raimi as director, marking his first major studio film. The production faced challenges, including creative clashes between Raimi's stylized vision and the studio's expectations, and a tight 54-day shooting schedule in the Sonoran Desert near Tucson and at Old Tucson Studios. Alan Silvestri composed the score, while cinematographer Dante Spinotti executed Raimi's dynamic, Dutch angle-filled visual style.

Release

TriStar Pictures released *The Quick and the Dead* in North America on February 10, 1995. Its marketing emphasized the ensemble cast and its position as a stylized, violent take on the Western genre. The film was later released on VHS and LaserDisc, and has seen subsequent releases on DVD and Blu-ray formats.

Reception

Upon release, the film received mixed reviews from critics and was a modest box office disappointment, grossing $47 million against a $35 million budget. Reviewers praised the film's energetic style, Gene Hackman's performance, and its inventive cinematography, but criticized its thin character development and perceived reliance on style over substance. It was nominated for several genre awards, including a Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actor for Leonardo DiCaprio.

Legacy

Though not a major success initially, the film has garnered a significant cult following in the decades since its release, appreciated for its bold direction and as a notable entry in the 1990s Revisionist Western cycle. It is often cited for featuring early-career performances from future Oscar winners Russell Crowe and Leonardo DiCaprio. The film's hyper-stylized violence and Sam Raimi's distinctive flair have led to reevaluation, solidifying its status as a unique cult Western.

Category:1995 films Category:American Western films Category:Films directed by Sam Raimi