Product Details

• Actors: Sam Elliott, Tom Conti, Kate Capshaw, Kenny Morrison, Matt Clark
• Directors: Robert Day
• Writers: James Lee Barrett, Louis L'Amour
• Producers: Joseph Cates, Phillip Cates
• Format: Color, Original recording reissued, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Warner Home Video
• VHS Release Date: June 1, 1999
• Run Time: 91 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (56 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 0790741911
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #201,060 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Not to be confused with Sam Raimi's flamboyantly stylized Western of the same name, this made-for-cable adaptation of the Louis L'Amour novel is a lean, taut pioneer adventure set in the wilderness of the northern Midwest. Sam Elliott, sporting his trademark bushy mustache and eyebrows so thick they keep the rains off his face, stars as the mountain man and tracker Con Vallian. Tom Conti is Scottish storekeeper Duncan McKaskel bringing his wife Susanna (Kate Capshaw) and son from Pennsylvania to a homestead in Wyoming. When a scraggly gang (led by the wonderfully sleazy Matt Clark) marks the family as an easy target, Vallian makes himself their gruff guardian angel, partly out of attraction to Susanna ("You're a handsome woman," he likes to repeat). Pride, jealousy, and rivalry make Duncan and Vallian uneasy allies and Conti's musical lilt is a marvelous contrast to Elliot's gravely drawl. Capshaw is somewhat colorless but comes to life in a surprising explosion of angry violence. The beautiful landscape culminates in a stunning meadow where the homesteaders find their cabin, a location that must be the closest thing to heaven on Earth, but for the devils still on their trail. --Sean Axmaker

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

63 of 69 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A 5-Star Modern Day Western, July 9, 2005

By 

kone "kone" (USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 50 REVIEWER)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Quick and the Dead (DVD)

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

40 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Superior Horse Opera, August 19, 2003

By 

"billlester" (Latrobe, PA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Quick and the Dead (DVD)

The Western is arguably my favorite film genre and The Quick and the Dead is one of the best. Sam Elliot is superb as the slow talkin' stranger who befriends a family of settlers preyed upon by theiving killers. He takes special interest in Kate Capshaw, the beautful and faithful wife. Yes the plot is simple but simplicity is often a good thing. I think you will enjoy The Quick and the Dead as much as I. Just be sure not to confuse it with the poorly acted Sharon Stone/Leonardo DeCaprio film of the same name.

19 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The most under-rated western of all time., October 29, 2000

By 

Robert J Jones (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Quick & The Dead [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This little movie was a quiet knockout. A subtly exquisite love story told against the background of hard pioneer life and a violent sub-plot. Sam Elliot at his absolute best, stunningly beautiful Kate Capshaw at hers, and Tom Conti just perfect. Elegantly cast, remarkably well performed, and the photography (by the way) was superb. My favorite "modern" western ever.