Released in 1987 under the direction of Robert Day, "The Quick and the Dead" is a made-for-HBO Western featuring Sam Elliott as Con Vallian, an enigmatic stranger who assists a family traveling West while they face trouble from a group of troublemakers. A question arises: does Vallian's interest in the wife (played by Kate Capshaw) seem to be reciprocated? Will this family reach the Bighorn Mountains safely, or will violence and infidelity lead to their downfall? If you don’t recall Kate Capshaw, she was the blonde actress in 1984’s "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom," who later married director Steven Spielberg. I found myself impressed by this relatively obscure Western. Despite being created for television, it's adapted from a Louis L'Amour novel and surpasses some films that had theatrical releases. The film isn’t without its shortcomings; for example, the child actor’s performance is questionable, and it’s clear the movie was filmed in Northern Arizona rather than Eastern Wyoming. Nevertheless, this is a strong, realistic Western reminiscent of "Shane" and "Will Penny." Don't anticipate the grand feel of the 1995 big-budget film that shares the same title. What stands out are the stunning visuals, a grounded and mature tone, Kate Capshaw’s beauty, a familiar plot elevated by well-developed characters (such as Tom Conti in his role as the settler husband/father), surprising dramatic developments, and, naturally, Sam Elliott embodying the quintessential Western figure. In fact, Elliott delivers a performance that is just as good – or perhaps even superior – to those of any other Western icon you can think of (Wayne, Eastwood, Cooper, Scott, Stewart, Costner, etc.). The film explores mature themes with insight, such as the clear bond between Vallian and Susanna. Many people can probably understand this: You encounter someone of the opposite sex and immediately feel a strong connection, a deep sense of mutual interest, but — for whatever reason — pursuing a romantic relationship isn't possible. In your entire lifetime you’ll likely experience only a few such connections; these moments are lasting because they leave such an impact on your memory. "The Quick and the Dead" might not reach the heights of Westerns like "Dances With Wolves" or "The Outlaw Josey Wales," but it's still a worthwhile film and deserving of attention. The movie has a running time of 91 minutes. GRADE: B

Source on TMDB