The Quick and the Dead (1987)

"You're a handsome woman, ma'am." Con Vallian

No, not the Sharon Stone - Leo DiCaprio - Gene Hackman version, THIS movie stars gruff, mustachioed Sam Elliott as the strong, silent hero in a character that channels Shane to quite a degree. The Quick and the Dead are two different movies; same name, but two different movies.

If Leonard Maltin were writing this review, he might say - "A solid Sam Elliott actioner that rarely plods. Even though it explores no new territory, a good dependable oater" and that, in my opinion pretty much nails it down, without a lot of fanfare or adornment. Of course here, at Epinions, Leonard with such brevity, admirable as it is, might only get a Somewhat Helpful rating for such an opinion - maybe that’s why he doesn’t write here? (wink)

Louis L'Amour was a hugely popular author with his pulp novels selling in the millions of copies. Even though his last writings were probably written thirty or more years ago they are still in print, and eagerly sought after, judging by their prominent display in booksellers establishments. The Louis L'Amour novel could be said to be the male equivalent to the Harlequin romance novel.

L'Amour's themes were nearly always western, with the well-defined character types and morality that appeals to the sentiments of a lot of readers. Basically romantic in nature, these character traits include self-sufficiency, loyalty, honor, respect for women, and standing up against the bad guys.

In this case the script, adapted for the screen by James Lee Barrett, is simplistic with a tenderfoot family trying to make it across the prairie alone. A gang of good-for-nothings led by Doc Shabitt (close but no cigar on the name) think the family is easy pickins until the guardian angel Con Vallian (Sam Elliott) arrives on the scene. In a confrontation over horses, two of the thugs are killed, including Shabitt’s son, and the gang is hell-bent for revenge. Like many weak jackals, their fury fastens on the wrong party; they seek to take out their anger with Elliott on the dude family.

Sam Elliott, with his walrus mustache and deep baritone voice, does fit the strong, silent cowboy type that L'Amour admired. The Eastern tenderfoots are played by Kate Capshaw and Tom Conti, who does a good job but LOOKS woefully miscast with his 80s hairstyle, non-committal metrosexual demeanor, and droopy Mediterranean features.

The thugs, led by the scraggly Matt Clark as Doc Shabitt, are just OK; no real convincing menace exudes from these sleazy goons, but the West was probably populated by just such a bunch of weasely opportunists that would take advantage of a situation out on the lonely trail, so it is probably more true to life than we realize.

Sam Elliott, without hardly letting the smirk fade from his face, helps the tenderfoot family throughout their plight and finally leaves them self sufficient, and therefore better for having known him – not to mention still alive, since they probably would have fallen if he wouldn't have been there to fend off the jackals a few times.

You can tell Sam Elliott is a fairly accomplished actor because he can say that line I quoted at the beginning several times without bursting into laughter. As a con, it does leave a more or less bad taste in your mouth that Elliott's character is not wholly innocent but began to take an interest in the family only because he wanted to steal the wife himself.

The Warner Bros DVD is presented in 4x3 television format, in color, and runs 83 minutes.

If you like The Quick and the Dead,

- I also recommend Shane and Pale Rider. These movies explore similar themes.


Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Better than Watching TV