Why Gene Hackman’s ‘The Quick and the Dead’ Deserves a Second Chance!

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Following his death at the age of 95, Gene Hackman has left an acting legacy that very few others can rival. Even though he retired more than 20 years ago, Hackman remains a significant figure in American film culture, demonstrating the strength of his on-screen charisma and depth of human emotions. His adaptability allowed him to seamlessly fit into various genres, and the ’90s marked a period where he gracefully transitioned into a series of westerns. This journey began in 1992 with his Academy Award-winning performance as a corrupt sheriff in Clint Eastwood’s movie, Unforgiven.

In 1995, Hackman played another sinister character in a western film titled “The Quick and the Dead,” which was directed by Sam Raimi and is now marking its 30th anniversary. Despite its poor performance at the box office initially, it has since gained cult status due to Raimi’s direction and impressive performances from Hackman, Sharon Stone, Russell Crowe, Leonardo DiCaprio (then aged 20), among others. While it may not reach the heights of the genre’s top films, it is a wildly entertaining tribute that acknowledges the style of Spaghetti Westerns and its lower-budget counterparts.

‘The Quick and the Dead’s Wacky Western World

In the early ’90s, Simon Moore wrote the screenplay for “The Quick and the Dead.” This script later became an opportunity for Sharon Stone following her breakout role in “Basic Instinct” in 1992. Keen to lead a western with a female protagonist, which was rare at the time, Stone decided to support the project by taking on both the starring role and producer duties. Eager to have Sam Raimi direct, who had previously worked on “Army of Darkness” in 1991, Stone advocated for him so passionately that she even linked her involvement with his appointment as director.

Stone employed comparable tactics to cast Crowe and DiCaprio; although popular in Australia, Crowe hadn’t left a significant impact on the American scene at that time, and DiCaprio was still transitioning from a gifted child actor to a full-blown adult star. Stone showed her faith in him by agreeing to cover his salary personally to ensure his casting. On the other hand, accommodations were made for Hackman, as filming was shifted from Mexico to Arizona to suit his schedule.

As a true film aficionado, I can confidently say that Sharon Stone breathed life into the gritty Western drama, “The Quick and the Dead“. This film is undeniably her domain. In this production, I play the enigmatic character called The Lady, a skilled gunfighter cloaked in mystery who’s arrived in the lawless town of Redemption with one goal: to exact vengeance upon John Herod (Hackman), a tyrannical gangster who orchestrated my father’s demise years prior. My arrival coincides with a high-stakes quick-draw competition that has attracted sharp-shooting outlaws from far and wide, including Ace Hanlon (Lance Henriksen) and Sgt. Clay Cantrell (Keith David). Not to be outdone, Herod’s arrogant young son Fee “The Kid” (DiCaprio) also joins the fray.

In addition, it is Cort (Crowe), a former bandit and ex-member of Herod’s gang who was once violent, now wandering into town. Rumor has it that he turned over a new leaf, transforming into a preacher. However, Herod keeps him shackled in the city center, confident that his innate aggression will surface despite his efforts to suppress it, compelling him to compete.

In terms of its plot structure, The Quick and the Dead leans heavily on familiar tropes, bordering on predictability, yet this is intentional. Raimi and his team revel in subverting the traditions of traditional western films, injecting high-speed camera movements and surreal logic into shootouts, where bullets create neatly circular holes with little to no bloodshed. It’s evident that they aren’t aiming for a conventional western but instead one that exaggerates the visual style of the genre to a comical, almost obsessive extent. The narrative serves as a flexible backdrop for Raimi to integrate his quirky horror influences from Evil Dead into the western genre.

Why ‘The Quick and the Dead’ Should Ride Again

As a movie enthusiast, I can recall that “The Quick and the Dead” stirred a blend of accolades and perplexity upon its debut. Despite Raimi’s commendable direction, the film fell short financially, failing to recoup its $47 million budget. Critics were divided, with some lauding Raimi’s workmanship while others criticized the overused narrative. In hindsight, Raimi has referred to it as a valuable learning experience that honed his directorial skills and actor collaboration abilities. However, he doesn’t seem to hold the film itself in high regard.

Fast-forwarding to 2024, Stone publicly criticized Raimi during an interview for not reaching out after the movie’s release, suggesting that there’s lingering resentment associated with this production.

Although it was initially viewed differently, there has been a shift in perspective towards this film in recent times. Critics now see it as a clever tribute to westerns, one of Raimi’s finest works. Moreover, Bridget Fonda’s uncommon role in a western has gained more recognition over time. Her character, a gunslinger, is praised for its forward-thinking portrayal, focusing on her skills rather than romantic appeal. Interestingly, a love scene with Crowe’s character was filmed but later removed from the US version.

30 years ago, I stumbled upon “The Quick and the Dead” and it didn’t quite reach the pinnacle of timeless western classics, but it’s undoubtedly an eccentric gem with captivating performances. Among the star-studded cast, standout characters were played by Lance Henriksen, Keith David, Roberts Blossom from “Home Alone”, Mark Boone Junior of “Sons of Anarchy”, and Pat Hingle, who graced the screen as Commissioner Gordon for three different Batmen. Looking back now, it’s an ideal moment to saddle up and revisit this film to see what makes it tick.

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2025-03-12 02:02