4K Ultra HD Steelbook Review – The Quick and the Dead (1995)

      The Quick and the Dead, 1995.

      Directed by Sam Raimi.

      Starring Sharon Stone, Gene Hackman, Russell Crowe, Roberts Blossom, Kevin Conway, Lance Henriksen, Pat Hingle, Gary Sinise, and Leonardo DiCaprio.

      SYNOPSIS:

      In celebration of the 30th anniversary of Sam Raimi’s The Quick and the Dead, Sony has released a new Steelbook edition in 4K Ultra HD. Although the bonus features are lacking, the film itself appears impressive, and the Steelbook will enhance your collection. If you missed the 2018 version and are a fan of this film, this edition is worth considering. It also includes a Blu-ray and a digital code.

      Many filmmakers seem eager to explore the western genre at some point (with Steven Spielberg being a notable exception), and in the mid-90s, Sam Raimi attempted it with The Quick and the Dead. Featuring Sharon Stone and Gene Hackman, this film is significant as it marks Russell Crowe’s debut in front of American audiences and Leonardo DiCaprio’s first significant leading role in a studio film.

      Stone plays "The Lady," a mysterious figure who arrives in the town of Redemption, which is controlled by the ruthless John Herod (Hackman). Herod hosts an annual shooting tournament where contestants face off until one either surrenders or dies. The Lady enters the tournament with intentions known only to herself at that moment in the narrative.

      Crowe portrays Cort, a gunfighter who once belonged to Herod’s gang but has since rejected his violent past to become a minister. Herod's men forcibly bring him back to Redemption, where he is reluctantly entered into the tournament. Alongside him are trick shooter “Ace” Hanlon (Lance Henriksen), Herod’s son known as "The Kid" (DiCaprio), among others.

      The plot follows a mostly predictable trajectory, although I must admit there’s a twist towards the conclusion that I didn’t anticipate, despite it being foreshadowed. Perhaps I was too focused on Raimi’s directorial style, including his bullet point-of-view shots and the many exaggerated deaths of characters.

      You might consider The Quick and the Dead a live-action cartoon version of a western due to its heightened tone. This approach is reminiscent of how he deconstructed the horror genre and reassembled it for his Evil Dead films. While it didn't fully resonate with me, largely due to my struggles with DiCaprio's portrayal of his character, I understand it has attained cult status since its original release 30 years ago.

      If you’re a fan of the film, be aware that this new Steelbook edition for the 30th anniversary is just a reissue of the 2018 version. The Quick and the Dead looks stunning in 4K, showcasing a grainy texture that evokes classic westerns. I’m uncertain if the Blu-ray version included uses the same remaster, but it still offers decent quality. A digital copy code is also provided.

      Regarding bonus content, this film has historically underperformed in that area, and this edition continues that trend. You’ll find slightly under six minutes of deleted scenes and the theatrical trailer, which is an improvement over previous bare-bones editions, but not significantly so. It’s unfortunate that Sony didn’t produce a featurette or two for the film’s 30th anniversary.

      Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★

      Brad Cook