THE QUICK AND THE DEAD

US, 1987, 86 minutes, Colour.
Sam Elliot, Kate Capshaw, Tom Conti.
Directed by Robert Day.

The Quick and the Dead is a western telemovie made for home box-office. It is based on a story by Louis Lamour. It has a strong cast led by Sam Elliott as a lone gunfighter, Kate Capshaw and Tom Conti as a pioneering couple, Matt Clark as a renegade doctor. The Midwest scenery and locations are beautifully photographed, a beautiful background for a story of pioneering, pursuit, violence.

1. Enjoyable western? Telemovie? The westerns of Louis Lamour?

2. The Wyoming settings, the Midwest photography? The planes, the town, the landscapes, the bills? Musical score?

3. The title, reference to characters, survival?

4. The dying town, empty, the men there, types? Doe Shabbutt and his hold over the men? The Breed and his joining the gang?

5. Duncan and Susannah, their story of the east, Pennsylvania, epidemic, arriving in the town, the invitation, passing through, setting up camp, the stealing of the horses? Vallian and his interest. advice, Duncan and the confrontation, Vallian shooting, the taking back of the horses?

6. Vallian and his quest: his background. Indian, the action and freedom in his life, passing through the town, the confrontation, chasing Breed - especially in relationship to his dead mother? Attraction towards Susannah, his comments, Duncan's reaction, Tommy's admiration? Continually with the family, sharing their experiences, offering advice, his warnings, coming to the rescue? The night and kissing Susannah? The shootings? Discussion? Confronting Breed at the goods from the wagon train? His being wounded? The family tending him? The final confrontation? His future. Duncan punching him, Tommy's last words, Susannah's farewell?

7. Duncan and Susannah, their relationship, hopes. Tommy? The wagon. the dangers? The confrontation for the horses? Susannah bashing Red in the night? The decision to take up the gun, gun practice? Duncan's memories of the violence of the Civil War? The pursuit, leaving their goods behind? The fights, survival? Finding the house, deciding to settle? Telling the truth to each other? Pride and love?

8. Doe and his meanness. the killings, his brothers, the pursuit? Red and his bashing, Breed and his being killed, the other deaths? The long journey, through the snow? The final confrontations and death?

9. The harshness of the west, opportunities, dangers? The American heritage?