The Quick and the Dead
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Movie Reviews of The Quick and the Dead
Movie Review: An uneven retread of "Shane"
Summary: 3 Stars
Sam Elliott seems to have been born to play a cowboy, but this made-for-cable outing is not his finest Western effort. The movie is a fairly obvious retelling of the storyline found in the Western classic "Shane": a mysterious drifter helps a pioneer family that is being terrorized by a gang of outlaws. The fact that even a great movie like "Shane" had its flaws (Shane rides across miles of mountainous country into town and the boy follows him all the way on foot?!?!) doesn't bode too well for any imitators ("Pale Rider", Clint Eastwood's take on this storyline, wasn't anywhere near to being his finest Western either).
A previous reviewer stated that the good guys are clearly good and the bad guys are clearly bad in this movie. That's true for everybody except Elliot's character, Con Valian. While Valian clearly helps the McKaskel family, for most of the movie he seems to be doing so in order to win away Susanna McKaskel from her husband. Only at the end of the movie, in order that our flawed hero might come out on top, does he grudgingly give respect to Duncan McKaskel and realize that he should not try to break up his family. Con Valian is quite a departure from the usual honorable-to-the-utmost Louis L'Amour cowboy hero.
In spite of the questionable moral character of the hero he portrays, Elliot is still the best thing in this Western. Tom Conti doesn't have the acting chops to keep up with Elliot, and Matt Clark (as lead bad guy Doc Shabitt) may bear some resemblence to Bruce Dern, but he doesn't approach Dern's acting ability. The scenes between Kenny Morrison, as McKaskel's son, and Elliott are almost laughable because the kid's acting is so stilted, especially in the scene in which he defends his father. The rest of the outlaws are cliched to the point of almost being caricatures.
I'm a big fan of Westerns, and I understand the genre and its cliches; I even appreciate them (as I said, I'm a fan). However, I also appreciate a good story and good acting, and this movie is a bit weak on both (with all due respect to Louis L'Amour and especially Sam Elliott).
The bottom line: this is by no means one of the worst Westerns ever filmed, but it's certainly not a first-rate one either. If you're a fan of Westerns, you should see it at least once; otherwise, it's probably one that can be missed. (But if you want to watch Sam Elliott in a much better adaptation of a Louis L'Amour novel, then get the TNT-produced movie "Conagher"; see my review of that movie for more info.).
Movie Review: A disappointment
Summary: 2 Stars
I bought this movie because I thought it would be like the movie version of Louis L'Amour's "Conagher". Unfortunately, it is a far cry from that movie. The Quick and the Dead was too predictable, the dialog was stilted and unrealistic, and the characters...well, they were too much "in character" and not believable. I am curious how faithful the script was to the book. If the movie is as faithful to the book as "Conagher" was, then I apologize to the movie makers and will hold a grudge with Mr. L'Amour instead.Movie Review: The Good are Good and the Bad are Bad: No Grey!
Summary: 5 Stars
I'll admit that the simplicity of this L'Amour tale of Easterners being protected by an anonymous-type stranger on the wagon trail out west has to please. Sam Elliott is the best he can be, as are the supporting characters, Good and Bad.
The westward-bound couple with their young son learn early that with the best of intentions--it is best to learn to shoot to kill, and that some Bad men just won't take no for an answer.
The cinematography is beautiful (stunning, really) and might just inspire a few tenderfeet to head out to Utah to see what it is all about.
Movie Review: The Quick and the Dead
Summary: 5 Stars
I received the item when it was promised. I enjoyed the movie.
And I was satisfied with the price.
Thank you
Movie Review: A 5-Star Modern Day Western
Summary: 5 Stars
If you believed great western films died with the passing of John Wayne, I have news for you - this western is every bit as good as those of the Duke.
Based on a story by Louis L'Amour, "The Quick and the Dead" is a fast-paced western about Duncan and Susanna McKaskel and son who are traveling across the continent to settle near the Big Horn Mountains in 1876. Escaping their violent memories of the Civil War, they run into Wyoming Territory where a man (and in this case, a woman) settle their problems with a gun. They are befriended by a nomadic western ranger, Con Vallian, who is reminisient of John Wayne's character Hondo. Mr. Vallian (Sam Elliott), takes a personal interest in the wife of the pilgrims, Susanna McKaskel (Kate Capshaw). Not wanting harm to come to Susanna, Vallian becomes their guardian angel, as they are pursued by eight ruthless theives that are intent on taking everything they own and having their way with Susanna.
Sam Elliott's role as Vallian is an admirable 5-star performance, which establishes him as a premier western star in the post John Wayne era. Sheperd brings his character to life with his deep resonant voice, his glowering smoldering eyes, and his ruggedly handsome good looks. Elliott's Vallian is a pragmatic character who would not mind taking over husbandly duties with Susanna, should anything happen to her husband Duncan. As the story unfolds, Vallian builds a grudging respect for Duncan, seeing the steady grit inside the man.
Kate Capshaw plays Susanna McKaskel, and is the obvious reason for Vallian's interest in the family. Capshaw is truly a strikingly beautiful woman; however, she is also a strikingly good actress and carries off the part of a pioneering woman with ease. Her performance matches Sam Elliot's scene for scene.
The story unfolds quickly and there is a level of tension thoughout the movie that keeps you in your seat. You will not be disappointed in this movie. I intend to move it to my "keeper" movie shelf with my other western classics. It deserves its place there.
Jim Konedog Koenig