When “The Quick and the Dead” was initially released in 1995, I referred to it as “The Quick and the EVIL Dead.” This was pretty much meant to sum up the style of the western as it was directed by the then still relatively unknown Sam Raimi. At the time, Raimi only had the “Evil Dead” series and “Darkman” under his belt, as well as having co-created TV’s “M.A.N.T.I.S.” and “Hercules, the Legendary Journeys.” If you had seen any of those, you knew what you would be in for with “The Quick and the Dead.” Camp comedy risen to a fine art. Intelligent cheeseball. This gunslinger epic was Raimi’s first ‘shot’ at using and all-star cast. He ‘drew’ from the Hollywood A-list of actors. Sharon Stone, Gene Hackman, Russell Crowe, Leonardo DiCaprio and Gary Sinise all lent their talents to create a spaghetti western stereotype. Yet, with all these big names, the Raimi style was the real star.

Even the story wasn’t as important as how it was presented. (“It’s not the tale, but he who tells it…”) Raimi’s use of the camera reveled in something that had been lost to many directors at the time… creativity and imagination. Every angle and movement is carefully crafted to over-emphasize the scene, seeming ludicrous at times. But it works. It is after all, comedy folks.

I imagine fans of westerns expecting “Unforgiven” more than likely left theaters, scratching their heads and thinking, “Ahh don’t get it.” Intelligent fans of westerns with an eye for comedy laughed, groaned and applauded this homage to John Wayne, Clint Eastwood, and Terrence Hill (c,mon trivia buffs, you know who that is). “The Quick and the Dead” is the ultimate gunfighter movie.

There was also some rumbling from fans of Raimi’s earlier work, who feared he had given in to Hollywood. But if anything, Hollywood had given in to him. He had even gone as far as to request cutting a filmed sex scene, because he felt it didn’t fit the style of a movie. Tristar wasn’t happy, after all how could you have a Sharon Stone movie without a sex scene? But he won, and the cut was made.

Since “The Quick and the Dead”, Raimi has gone on to prove himself as a director, crossing into many other genres of film. Most amazingly having landed the coveted directing spot of the mega-budget (and mega-hit) “Spider-Man.” Everyone wondered if he would be able it pull it off, and of course, now we know. It’s as if he had been born to make that movie. Can’t wait to see what he does with the sequel next summer.

The new DVD of “The Quick and the Dead” from Sony / Columbia Tristar is a must have for anyone who has ever enjoyed a Sam Raimi flick. Its Superbit status delivers a flawless picture and incredible sound. It recreates the theatre experience for those of us who first saw it there, and showcases every shattered bone and gunshot with crystal clarity.

Do keep in mind that having the DVD in Superbit doesn’t allow for any extras, which is the only drawback to this disc. Being a Raimi fan myself, I would have loved to have been privy to some behind the scenes features, or at least a director’s commentary. However, the quality of the disc alone certainly makes it worth owning.

Whether or not “The Quick and the Dead” will appeal to you depends on your own personal sense of humor or appreciation for satiric creativity. You either get it, or you don’t.

(Personal note to Raimi fans: We all know that Raimi’s childhood friend and the ultimate B-movie actor, Bruce Campbell, usually has at least a cameo in his films. I remember when I first saw the “The Quick and the Dead” I couldn’t spot him anywhere, and had for years written it off to blinking. Now I know that there was a scene filmed, where Campbell gets thrown into the mud. The scene was shot many times, much to Raimi’s delight, but ultimately never made it into the film. Where’s a Director’s Cut when we need one??)

Directed by: Sam Raimi
Starring: Sharon Stone, Gene Hackman, Russell Crowe, Leonardo DiCaprio, Gary Sinise, Lance Henriksen, Pat Hingle
Extras: None
Specifications: Widescreen, Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
Studio: Sony / Columbia Tristar
Release Date: 8/5/2003
Region 1
MPAA Rating: R (For Western Violence)
Website

We'll give The Quick and The Dead an A.