Netflix Western With Future Megastar Is A Secret R-Rated Gem
Though western films haven’t had the demand from film audiences in the last few decades, there have been several notable productions that have warranted attention. Among them is the 1995 film The Quick and the Dead, a forgotten picture that served as a jumping off point for mega-star Russell Crowe in the days before Gladiator and A Beautiful Mind would truly vault the New Zealand-born actor to Hollywood stardom. Viewers who might have missed this forgotten gem in theaters have a shot at seeing it stream now on Netflix.
The Lady
The Quick and the Dead stars Sharon Stone as Ellen “The Lady,” a woman who returns to the old west town of Redemption to vie for the cash prize in a quick-draw pistol tournament.
With the motive of avenging her father’s death against the corrupt organizer of the high-stakes competition, Ellen steps up and shows her lightning-fast skills against some pretty stiff competition.
Cort
In The Quick and the Dead, Russell Crowe plays a former confederate of event organizer, Cort. Cort was once aligned with organizer John Herod, who is now the shady Mayor of Redemption.
As Cort renounced his gun-fighting ways and professes his new ambition of becoming a preacher, Herod and his cronies attempt to lynch their former ally. But after “The Lady” saves him by shooting the rope, the two form a bond and begin a mutual endeavor to eliminate the evil Herod before he can use his power to destroy them.
One Of Raimi’s Best
The Quick and the Dead serves as one of director Sam Raimi’s best efforts at the helm of a film and showed the world exactly what he was capable of if given the production dollars necessary for a masterfully crafted and well-acted film.
Known to horror fans for his Evil Dead films, Raimi’s experience with this particular production would help pave the way for bigger and better projects, including the smash hit Marvel superhero film Spider-Man in 2002.
The Cast
Raimi might have brought screenwriter Simon Moore’s words to life on the screen, but it was the cast that really made The Quick and the Dead shine.
Veteran actors Keith David, Gene Hackman, and Lance Henriksen give all-star performances throughout the film but are honestly overshadowed by the new faces that would quickly rise to the top of the Hollywood A-list.
Alongside Russell Crowe (who would break through the following year with the noir film L.A. Confidential), The Quick and the Dead features a pre-Titanic Leonardo DiCaprio, Gary Sinise, and Tobin Bell. Fans of The Evil Dead and Army of Darkness will also spot Bruce Campbell, a Sam Raimi favorite.
Stream It Now
GFR SCORE
The Quick and the Dead might have had all the elements of a colossal box office success checked off the list, but it had a lukewarm reception at the box office when it was released to theaters in 1995. The film’s $35 million production budget was recouped during its theatrical run, but overall gross box office receipts were south of $48 million. Not a flop, but certainly not the smash hit it should have been.
You can catch The Quick and the Dead streaming with a subscription to Netflix.
