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Sharon Stone, Gene Hackman, Russell Crowe, Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobin Bell ... see more see more... , Lance Henriksen , Roberts Blossom , Mark Boone Jr. , Olivia Burnette , Bruce Campbell , Keith David , Oliver Dear , Greg Goossen , Pat Hingle , Fay Masterson , Sven Ole Thorsen , Josef Rainer , Scott Ryder , Raynor Scheine , Woody Strode , Kevin Conway , Mick Garris , Gary Sinise , Scott Spiegel , Mike Stone , Francine Maisler , Jerry Swindall , John Cameron , Jonothon Gill

Director Sam Raimi brings his trademark comic book-influenced visual panache to this post-modern Western. Sharon Stone stars as Ellen, a mysterious female gunslinger who arrives in the frontier hamlet... read more read more... of Redemption for a contest pitting quick-draw artists against each other. The event is the brainchild of Redemption's evil, corrupt mayor, Herod (Gene Hackman), a criminal who has taken over the town and charges a 50% tax on local businesses. The pot for Herod's deadly game has swollen, attracting numerous colorful gunfighters from around the territory. As each battle thins the ranks of players, the pasts of several participants are revealed. Ellen is seeking revenge on Herod for a heinous past injustice. The fast-talking braggart known as "The Kid" (Leonardo DiCaprio) may in fact be Herod's son. The pacifist Reverend Cort (Russell Crowe), who refuses to participate in the bloodshed, is the fastest draw in the West and a former colleague of Herod's. After several spectacular slayings, Ellen and Herod stage a final showdown, but not before he has made her an unexpected proposal. The Quick and the Dead (1995) is dedicated to veteran Western actor Woody Strode, who appears in a cameo as Redemption's coffin maker, his final performance. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

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54% liked it

61,752 ratings

Critics

55% liked it

40 critics

R, 1 hr. 45 min.

Directed by: Sam Raimi

Release Date: February 10, 1995

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DVD Release Date: November 7, 2000

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Stats: 2,315 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (2,315)

  • phubbs1
    October 21, 2011
    phubbs1
    Remember when Sharon Stone was big? remember that? seems along time ago doesn't it, also seems odd to think it too with her rather bland boring 80's look. Bit of a cult this one with a fantastic line up of character actors and stars including DiCaprio, Hackman, Keith David, Henri... read moreksen, Tobin Bell, Pat Hingle, Gary Sinise, Russell Crowe and Bruce Campbell in deleted scenes!! how do ya like dem apples Tex?

    The whole film is kinda like a videogame concept really or like some modern flicks which bring together a bunch of stars in a kind of 'beat em up'/'shoot em up' style tournament with silly corny characters having individual skills that set them apart from each other, this is the western version.

    Its a pretty fun flick to be sure but its also pretty corny at times with some dubious acting namely from Stone who really can't act, her blonde hair somehow gets her work. The characters are all quite unoriginal being a western, not much choice but the obvious, but admittedly your not sure who will die next. Hackman as usual is brilliant as the evil 'Herod' and you really wanna see him get his comeuppance haha he gives the film allot of edge which it badly needs as at times it does tend to feel a bit like a TV movie.

    Raimi does well to inject fuel into the western genre with this (for the time) and the colourful characters are fun to watch despite being cliched, homage to Sergio Leone? sort of, a good try but maybe a touch too glossy and not enough blood.
  • CloudStrife84
    October 17, 2011
    CloudStrife84
    Gunslingers galore! A fun and spirited Western, about a duel tournament between an impressive array of charismatic characters. Worth seeing just for the extraordinary cast, which among many famous names includes Gene Hackman, Russell Crowe, Lance Henriksen and a very young Leonar... read moredo DiCaprio. In the lead we also follow a tough and gritty Sharon Stone, who unfortunately drags down the film a bit with a not-so-believable and bland performance. She also looks a tad misplaced in this sort of environment. It might have more to do with the fact that I've never been a fan of hers though. Another regrettable weakness is the direction. While adequate on the whole, there are choices in camera angles and visual style, that is less-than-gracefully executed. One of the trademarks of Western movies is that they often have great cinematography, but I suppose this was the exception that confirms the rule. The excitement that comes with the duels, as well as the wonderful supporting cast, makes it enjoyable nonetheless though. They even have a gunslinger from Sweden, although sadly he's one of the first to bite the dust of defeat.
  • ironclad1609
    September 14, 2011
    ironclad1609
    Really fun Western flick by Sam Raimi. The wild camera angles and imaginatively filmed shootouts make for a really entertaining ride. Of course there are the expected stereotypes, but also plenty of surprises. The idea of a bunch of duels arranged like a tennis tournament is just... read more fantastic and filled with really colorful characters. Gene Hackman is a wonderfully mean villain and Russel Crowe one of the coolest priests that ever walked the West. The themes of revenge, redemption and pride may not be all that new but the result is way too quick and fun to even bore you for a second.
  • kenstachnik
    August 9, 2011
    kenstachnik
    Stone ins't great, but the rest of the supporting cast is (especially Lance Henriksen!). Definitely worth a watch if you're a fan of the genre. Plenty of gun fights to keep you entertained from start to finish.
  • 76Majikat
    July 17, 2011
    76Majikat
    A sort of modernised Western with an intriguing cast, possibly Gene Hackman stood out the most to me and played his role well. Having a woman in the contest obviously was the purpose of the film here and gave the genre something a little different.

    Watchable,but not kissable.
  • MrMarakai
    June 21, 2011
    MrMarakai
    There's no doubting director Sam Raimi when it comes to his playful nature. He managed to inject hilarity into horror in "The Evil Dead" series and does so again with the western. Not taking his material too seriously at all, here he delivers a cartoon take on the duelling wester... read moren gunslingers.
    The town of 'Redemption' holds an annual gunslinging contest (a strict local custom in which pistol-packers young and old, local and not, shoot to the death). Riding silently, moodily and mysteriously into town is, Ellen (Sharon Stone). A woman who keeps her motivation quiet, working her way into the contest with a score to settle against the town owner Herod (Gene Hackman).
    Although this borrows heavily from the great Sergio Leone/Clint Eastwood cowsers, it's playful use of the camera and refusal to take itself seriously gives it a fresh feel all it's own. Raimi's use of camera angles and slow motion shots are sublime and what really make the film. The camera is just as much a character as the eccentric bunch on screen. The focus being on the nervous eye-contact and elaborate ticking of clocks, in keeping with true spaghetti western style. It's a very stylish parody on the western showdown scenario helped by a who's who cast of ecclectic character actors, not to mention a young Leonardo DiCaprio and Russell Crowe at the beginning of their careers.
    It's completely ludicrous but it's ludicrous nature and style is exactly what makes it fun.
  • moonrivers
    March 24, 2011
    moonrivers
    Raimi shoots for big iconic western but cannot get past ... Raimi.
  • Tomassgringo
    March 13, 2011
    Tomassgringo
    I have never been a huge fan of Westerns but this movie was great. Leonardo DiCaprio brings an early yet powerful performance that is complimented by the strength and experience of Gene Hackman. A basic story that involves the viewer up to the very end!
  • ythelastman89
    January 6, 2011
    ythelastman89
    Such a bizarre way of approaching the western genre. This is almost cartoonish in its delivery, but I think it was undoubtedly Sam Raimi's goal to have it so. Some of the camera angles and editing is just flat out crazy, but again, i'm sure that was intended. All the performances... read more in this are really good and make the story flow a lot more easy than it could have. Everyone from Lance Henricksen to Sharon Stone play extremely memorable characters. The duels are very much the workings of a madman.
  • TheDudeLebowski65
    November 30, 2010
    TheDudeLebowski65
    The first thing one must realize before watching The Quick And The Dead is that the era of the epic westerns is over. There are only two names that have perfected and mastered the genre, Sergio Leone and Clint Eastwood. Theres a few good Westerns since Leone's masterworks, but mo... read morest of them fail to have the character and the brutality of the old school Westerns. Sam Raimi's The Quick And The Dead plays out more like an homage to Sergio Leone, with many references from his works. Raimi crafts an amusing Western, but by no means is this film perfect. The plot could have used a bit more development and some characters are directly lifted from Leone's own films. For example, Sharon Stone's character is based on Harmonica from Once Upon A Time In The West, a man with no name setting his eyes on killing the man responsible for his brothers death. Despite every cliche in the book, The book, The Quick And The Dead is an enjoyable little film. Not excellent, but definitely not bad. Sam Raimi tries too hard at mimicking the epic Westerns of the 60's. The results are mixed, and the film ends up being average. Raimi's Western is cool but it's definitely not a Leone epic. Raimi tries too hard at crafting a good looking Western. The sets and characters are too clean for my taste. Except for a few exceptions. For what its worth, the film will entertain you, but it won't blow you away. The story is quite intriguing, but it's something that we've all seen before. The Quick Of The Dead is a good film, but definitely not the best Western. That honor befalls on Once Upon A Time In The West.

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Critic Reviews

Janet Maslin
May 20, 2003
Janet Maslin, New York Times

Mr. Raimi is limited by a sketch mentality, which means his jokes tend to be over long before his films end. But his tastes for visual mischief and crazy, ill-advised homage can still make for sly, sp... Full Review

Peter Travers
May 12, 2001
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

What Raimi can't find is a center. He hankers for us to giggle at the brutal archetypes he's parodying and to warm to them, too. It won't wash, pardner.

Kenneth Turan
February 13, 2001
Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times

Rarely dull, it is not noticeably compelling either, and as the derivative offshoot of a derivative genre, it inevitably runs out of energy well before any of its hotshots runs out of bullets. Full Review

Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

As preposterous as the plot was, there was never a line of Hackman dialogue that didn't sound as if he believed it. The same can't be said, alas, for Sharon Stone... Full Review

James Berardinelli
January 1, 2000
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

Raimi's choice to give the film a comic book-like aura of mingled camp and grit makes for some fitfully energetic and entertaining moments, but it's not enough to overcome The Quick and the Dead's pri... Full Review

Mick LaSalle
January 1, 2000
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

You get lots of clothes here, but no emperor. Full Review

Desson Thomson
January 1, 2000
Desson Thomson, Washington Post

Although Stone may be pleasing to some eyes, she's pretty small in the saddle here -- just an innocuous gender twist on the reluctant cowboy hero. And her story of hellbent revenge is about as compell... Full Review

James Plath
September 19, 2009
James Plath, Movie Metropolis

Sam Raimi does a lot of interesting things in The Quick and the Dead and Sharon Stone plays a convincing female gunfighter, but the one-horse plot with no subplots to generate additional interest beco... Full Review

Jeffrey M. Anderson
February 3, 2007
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid

Raimi's movie borrows heavily from classic spaghetti westerns, but Raimi has a style of his own, and plenty of it. Full Review

Derek Adams
June 24, 2006
Derek Adams, Time Out

A deadpan black comedy, Sam Raimi's fast-paced movie looks and sounds like a Leone oater but more so. Full Review

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    • Herod: If the swede had been any slower, he'd had birds nest in his hat.
    • Herod: As soon as the rain ends I'm going to make an example out of you.
    • Herod: It takes a lot to scare me. I love the sensation.
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The Quick and the Dead Trivia

  • what movie had the lady and the kid taking on the town's despot in a gunslinging contest?  Answer »
  • Director of the "Spiderman" trilogy, "Quick and the Dead" and "Army of Darkness"  Answer »
  • Name the movie by filling up the blank spaces!! Vanilla ____ _______ EO The Quick ___ the Dead ___Shawshank's Redemption Ghost _____ The Phantom __ the Opera _______Never Dies   Answer »
  • Leonardo DiCaprio, Russell Crowe, Gene Hackman and Sharon Stone. Name the film  Answer »
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