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The Quick and the Dead

Play trailer Poster for The Quick and the Dead R 1995 1h 45m Western Action Play Trailer Watchlist
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61% Tomatometer 51 Reviews 54% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings
A mysterious woman gunslinger, Ellen (Sharon Stone), saunters into the town of Redemption looking for revenge. Her father was killed by the town's sadistic mayor, Herod (Gene Hackman), who is in the midst of organizing a quick-draw tournament. The lady enters, joining a cast of miscreants and outlaws for a brutal competition in which the loser dies. Among the competitors is "The Kid" (Leonardo DiCaprio), an upstart who has his own score to settle with Herod.

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The Quick and the Dead

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Critics Consensus

The Quick and the Dead isn't quite the draw that its intriguing premise and pedigree suggest, but fans of nontraditional Westerns should have some rootin' tootin' fun.

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Critics Reviews

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Sheila Johnston Independent (UK) Jun 25
After Army of Darkness and Darkman, Sam Raimi, the once-promising director of The Evil Dead, needs a good movie. The Quick and the Dead isn't that exactly, but it is a playful and moderately enjoyable homage to the spaghetti Western. Go to Full Review Kevin Maher The Times (UK) 01/27/2025
4/5
A 21-year-old Leonardo DiCaprio nonetheless steals the show as The Kid, a fast-talking show-off hiding a daddy complex. Great fun. Go to Full Review Owen Gleiberman Entertainment Weekly 09/07/2011
C
The plot of this low-camp revenge thriller is little more than an excuse to line up one badass cowboy (or girl) opposite another and let the eyeball-to-eyeball fireworks fly. Go to Full Review Philip Molloy Irish Independent Feb 26
No matter how many fancy ways Raimi invents to stage the shootouts, the tedium is quick in coming and there is nothing else going on between times to build suspense or interest in the characters. Go to Full Review Adrian Martin Film Critic: Adrian Martin Jul 30
3.5/5
Raimi is one of those directors for whom the cinema is essentially a game, an exhibitionistic display. He has fun with the conclusion of each gunfight – who’s left standing, who’s been shot, who’s really dead or alive? Go to Full Review Philip French Observer (UK) Jun 24
The gifted Italian cinematographer Dante Spinotti and the American designer Patrizia Von Brandenstein have combined to make The Quick and the Dead a dazzling visual experience. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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W.L. C. @WayneCampbell 5d Perfect? No. Perfectly entertaining? Hell yes. And Dante Spinotti's camera is pure magic. See more Aryaman S @AryamanS Mar 13 The Quick and the Dead carries the energy of Sam Raimi. Alan Silvestri’s score is a highlight, while Pietro Scalia’s editing and Dante Spinotti’s cinematography give the film a kinetic, slightly eccentric edge. Costume designer Judianna Makovsky crafts outfits that subtly reflect each character’s arc, while the stunt, sound, and special effects teams competently support the film’s action. The story revolves around a deadly quick-draw dueling tournament. Ellen, a revenge-seeking gunslinger played by Sharon Stone and Cort, a former gang member turned preacher played by Russell Crowe, bring surprising depth to their roles. Gene Hackman’s portrayal of the ruthless mayor, John Herod, is as commanding as expected from one of the great actors of that era, and reminds viewers of the absence of great talent across the board in Hollywood TODAY! If the Quick and the Dead came out in 2026 it would be a contender for the Academy Awards in all categories. HOW FAR HAS HOLLYWOOD FALLEN... See more Drew M. @Stonehands211 Feb 18 This ruled. Love full maximalist Raimi! He wasn’t always my bag but I’m fully in his camp now. See more Emilio O @EmilioO Dec 16 Pretentious, boring, a great casting for a worhless movie. See more Chris v @ZP170 Dec 7 A collection of well known actors in a parody of a Western. Initially a box office failure but after thirty years in the wilderness, destined to return for a new lease of life as a cult movie. See more Aun M @AunMohammad Dec 6 The Quick and the Dead is a brilliantly unique Western that flips the script on the classic gunslinger tale—and I absolutely love it. This film delivers a fierce, revenge-driven story powered by sharp dialogue, stylish cinematography, and gunfights that never let up. Sharon Stone commands the screen as a mysterious sharpshooter with a haunted past, while Gene Hackman is masterfully menacing as the ruthless town boss, Herod. Their intense performances elevate an already electric plot filled with grit, tension, and unforgettable duels. From start to finish, the movie thrills with non-stop action, moral showdowns, and breathtaking shootouts. It’s a bold, visually striking Western that honors the genre while carving its own unforgettable legacy. See more Read all reviews
The Quick and the Dead

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Cast & Crew

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Sam Raimi

Director

Sharon Stone

The Lady

Gene Hackman

John Herod

Russell Crowe

Cort

Leonardo DiCaprio

The Kid

Tobin Bell

Dog Kelly

Movie Clips

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The Quick and the Dead

The Quick and the Dead: Official Clip - Lance Henricksen vs. Gene Hackman The Quick and the Dead: Official Clip - Lance Henricksen vs. Gene Hackman 2:01 The Quick and the Dead: Official Clip - Sharon Stone Kisses Leonardo DiCaprio The Quick and the Dead: Official Clip - Sharon Stone Kisses Leonardo DiCaprio 1:39 The Quick and the Dead: Official Clip - Russell Crowe Is One HELL of a Shot The Quick and the Dead: Official Clip - Russell Crowe Is One HELL of a Shot 1:34 The Quick and the Dead: Official Clip - Leonardo DiCaprio vs. Gene Hackman The Quick and the Dead: Official Clip - Leonardo DiCaprio vs. Gene Hackman 2:24 The Quick and the Dead: Official Clip - Spotted Horse Can’t Be Killed?! The Quick and the Dead: Official Clip - Spotted Horse Can’t Be Killed?! 2:58 The Quick and the Dead: Official Clip - Sharon Stone Is a SEXY Gunfighter The Quick and the Dead: Official Clip - Sharon Stone Is a SEXY Gunfighter 2:09 The Quick and the Dead: Official Clip - The Quick Draw Competition Opens The Quick and the Dead: Official Clip - The Quick Draw Competition Opens 8:11 The Quick and the Dead: Official Clip - Ellen's Revenge on John Herod The Quick and the Dead: Official Clip - Ellen's Revenge on John Herod 6:09 The Quick and the Dead: Official Clip - Leonardo DiCaprio in a Gunfight!? The Quick and the Dead: Official Clip - Leonardo DiCaprio in a Gunfight!? 1:01 The Quick and the Dead: Official Clip - Keith David vs. Gene Hackman The Quick and the Dead: Official Clip - Keith David vs. Gene Hackman 1:48 View more videos

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The Quick and the Dead

The Quick and the Dead (1995) The Quick and the Dead (1995) The Quick and the Dead (1995) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis A mysterious woman gunslinger, Ellen (Sharon Stone), saunters into the town of Redemption looking for revenge. Her father was killed by the town's sadistic mayor, Herod (Gene Hackman), who is in the midst of organizing a quick-draw tournament. The lady enters, joining a cast of miscreants and outlaws for a brutal competition in which the loser dies. Among the competitors is "The Kid" (Leonardo DiCaprio), an upstart who has his own score to settle with Herod.
Director
Sam Raimi
Producer
Allen Shapiro, Patrick Markey, Joshua Donen
Screenwriter
Simon Moore
Distributor
TriStar Pictures, Columbia Tristar
Production Co
TriStar Pictures
Rating
R
Genre
Western, Action
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Feb 10, 1995, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 9, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA)
$17.3M
Runtime
1h 45m
Sound Mix
Surround
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