The Quick and the Dead

It"s a shame that you cannot purchase an American copy of this American film in America. I had to send to Austrailia for a copy [ must be viewed on region-free player] that is complete. Europeans and Austrailians can see the complete movie but not us.
The love scene between Ellen and Cort is vital to connect the action in the first half of the movie with the second. We see Ellen's flight from the town of Redemption but not her return, nor do we see what caused the change of attitude between them. One moment we hear of her indifference to what happens to Cort and the next they are conspiring together to avoid killing one another.
Cutting a sexy scene out of a R-rated film is ridiculous especially one vital to the understanding of the movie. Since Sharon Stone is both star and producer of this film,I would hope she would try to restore one of her best movies. No work on the film is required, just the release of the foreign edition in America. With many films being released on DVD in several versions there is nothing unusual about that.
As far as the film is concerned. the great disparity in the reviews is explained by whether the reviewer likes this kind of western or not. I do, and i liked this film very much. Besides, how many films have a cast like this; Sharon Stone, Gene Hackman [always a great villian], Lance Hendrikseb, Pat Hingle, not to mention Russell Crowe and Leonardo DiCaprio just before their big breaks. Let's hope for a complete DVD.

Brilliantly weaving classic western themes into tantalizing backstories, unfolding through the interactions of allegorical characters that represent legends such as Calamity Jane and Billy the Kid, combined with the most duel-style gunfights of any movie in history, this is a singularly wonderful work of western cinema. I've seen The Quick and The Dead at least a half a dozen times, and I've loved it more each time. This movie makes your heart beat faster, touches a myriad of emotions, and provides the unique entertainment satisfaction of classic westerns such as The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly; The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance; and High Plains Drifter. Indeed, The Quick and The Dead is a "must own" for anyone who loves westerns or action films. This is a movie that receives a lot less attention, favorable reviews, and fame than it deserves. It's a guilty pleasure in which I richly indulge.

I bought this for my Father who is into all the old western, war time movies. He looked all over the place for this movie and could not find it, so I looked on Amazon and tah-dah! I ordered it and recieved it within three days, my Father didn't know I had found it. He was so happy, he's watched it at least four times, and now his DVD collection is at around 250 movies. If I need to find something, I know where to go from now on. It's quick and easy.

The Quick And The Dead
[Superbit Version]
(8.5/10)

Back in 1995, director Sam Raimi was at a bit of a crossroads.
After his accomplishments through the Evil Dead series, yet
not yet to his A Simple Plan/Spider-Man level, he made
this fast paced Western that in alot of way feels like both
time periods of himself. However, this Western plays differently
than most revenge types, with a secret woman (played
amazingly well by Sharon Stone) joining in a town's shoot-out
competition with the intent of seeking revenge on the town's leader (played by Gene Hackman, just on the over-the-top edge). Along the way, we meet alot of the town's faces, including future stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Russell Crowe, as well as character classics as Tobin Bell & Lance Henriksen just to name a few. Simply put, this is a great cast for a movie with the then "Evil Dead" guy. But it works. Well.

While considering 90's Westerns like The Unforgiven & Dances With Wolves to be more classy & important than this flix, it definitely holds it's own, fitting perfectly with say Tombstone or Silverado. Yet this flix probably gets less attention than any of them, and it shouldn't. If you missed Sam's classic camera-in-your-face angles, or his quick as lightning cuts, he didn't lose them here. The showdowns are intense, visual, and the audio mix superb. And though Stone lost what little credibility a long time ago, this movie showed she could be taken seriously as an actress, fully dressed even!

Many have seen this play over the years on cable, but
the true way to see it is on this Superbit version. While this
release was done back in 2003, it's picture and DTS audio is
miles ahead of it's inferior single-layered original disc. Colors
bright & rusty, sound full of body, and bit rate always at
the fullest. I guess my only complaint is that they really didn't
try to remaster the actual print first due to a few, a few, blemishes on the print here and there that the high bit rate only brings out more. But believe me, for now I can say I've never seen this movie this good.

Downside is that this movie has alot of deleted scenes including a romance between Stone & Crowe & a wedding with Bruce Campbell as the minister! Too bad cause the Superbit, nor the regular, has them & International cuts only included the romance in the movie. So, I'd probably buy it again for a Raimi Director Cut, which after seeing the movie, you'd probably agree.

A good, fast-paced, 90's style Western that doesn't ever slow down. Featuring a female hero that you could actually believe in, as well as a cast that looks like they're in good hands with a director that finally got to do a Western with a little visual flair. A good movie that deserves to be seen & in your collection.

The Quick and the Dead
Very fast shipping and a brand new DVD, just as advertised. I would recommend this seller.