The Quick and the Dead
The Quick and the Dead

The Quick and the Dead

1995Movie107 minEnglish

A mysterious woman comes to compete in a quick-draw elimination tournament, in a town taken over by a notorious gunman.

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Insights

IMDb6.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes30%
Metacritic49/100
Google Users68%
Director: Sam RaimiGenres: Western, Action, Thriller

Plot Summary

A mysterious and enigmatic gunslinger arrives in a desolate frontier town, seeking revenge for her father's death. She enters a deadly quick-draw dueling tournament organized by the ruthless town boss, facing off against a host of colorful and dangerous competitors. As the stakes rise and the body count grows, her true motives and past are slowly revealed amidst the violence.

Critical Reception

The Quick and the Dead received a mixed reception from critics and audiences upon its release. While some praised its stylish direction, energetic action, and strong performances, particularly from Sharon Stone and Gene Hackman, others found the plot convoluted and the violence excessive. Its unique blend of classic Western elements with a stylized, almost comic-book-like sensibility divided opinions.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for Sam Raimi's distinctive visual flair and dynamic action sequences.
  • Gene Hackman's menacing portrayal of the villain was a notable highlight.
  • Criticized for a somewhat predictable plot and a lack of depth in its characters.

Google audience: Audiences generally appreciated the film's stylish direction and high-octane gunfights, with many enjoying the performances. However, some viewers found the story to be thin and the characters underdeveloped, leading to a less engaging overall experience.

Fun Fact

Leonardo DiCaprio was originally considered for the role of 'The Kid' but turned it down. Russell Crowe was cast after his performance in 'Romper Stomper' caught the attention of the filmmakers.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

3 reviews
Wuchak

Wuchak

**_Mythic Western about a quick-draw contest in a town with an all-star cast_** Sharon Stone stars as a grim, nonchalant woman who, curiously, enters a dueling contest in a remote Southwest desert town "ruled" by outlaw Herod (Gene Hackm...
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

Now I saw this in the cinema in 1995 and had somehow managed to completely forget all about it - until I saw it again just last week and realised why. It's not that it is awful, it's just that it is so very derivative and very, very dependa...
John Chard

John Chard

Nice try from Raimi, but ultimately it creeps just above average. The Western is a tough genre to tackle in the modern age, more so when it's post Dances With Wolves and Unforgiven's masterclasses 101. But tackling both these challenges...