Film’s title
The phrase “the quick and the dead” is from the Second Epistle to Timothy (2 Timothy 4:1) in various Bible versions, including the King James Bible, describing the final judgment.
Grade: B-
The screenplay was credited to Simon Moore, but it includes contributions from Joss Whedon.
The story focuses on “The Lady” (Stone), a gunfighter who rides into the frontier town of Redemption, controlled by John Herod (Hackman).
The Lady joins a deadly dueling competition with other outlaws in an attempt to “get justice”–exact revenge for her father’s death.
Moore’s script was purchased by Sony Pictures Entertainment in May 1993, and actress Sharon Stone signed on as star and co-producer.
Theatrical release poster
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The film was distributed by TriStar Pictures and was released on February 10, 1995, to a dismal box-office performance, receiving mixed reviews from critics.
In later years, however, the film has earned critical praise, especially for the performances, direction, cinematography, and musical score, with some critics noting it as underrated in Raimi’s catalog.
This was Russell Crowe’s American Western debut and was Woody Strode’s final performance (the film is dedicated to him), as well as the last theatrical release of Roberts Blossom, who died in 2011.
