THE QUICK AND THE DEAD (1995)
The Quick and the Dead is a fascinating western that takes notes from the playbook of the classics (most notably High Noon) and delivers a visually captivating revenge story.
TQ&TD stars Sharon Stone as a gunslinger out to avenge the murder of her father by entering a gunslinger tournament put together by the man responsible for the actions she witnessed in her past.
It sees an intriguing villainous turn from Gene Hackman but also features an ensemble cast of actors who would reach their peak in Hollywood just a few years later, most notably Leonardo DiCaprio and Russell Crowe.
Sam Raimi shows off his creativity with camerawork and angled shots, and in the process, delivers an intriguingly fast-paced, gritty, and often wildly-violent old-school western with a contemporary spirit. It is one of a number of great modern westerns with old-school aesthetics that would hit cinemas in the 90s, alongside classics like Unforgiven (which also featured Hackman) and Tombstone.
The Quick and the Dead also manages to see Sam Raimi continue in his talent with genre films, showcasing his appreciation for classics that influenced him throughout his journey to becoming a filmmaker.
You can stream The Quick and the Dead on Netflix.
