Academy Award® nominee Sharon Stone (1995, Best Actress, Casino) and Academy Award® winners Gene Hackman (1971, Best Actor, The French Connection; 1992, Best Supporting Actor, Unforgiven), Russell Crowe (2000, Best Actor, Gladiator), and Leonardo DiCaprio (2015, Best Actor, The Revenant) lead a loaded cast in this reinvented American Western from writer Simon Moore and director Sam Raimi. A mysterious young woman (Stone) rides into the lawless town of Redemption to settle an old score that has haunted her since she was a child. She becomes swept up in a deadly quick-draw tournament and, in order to win her revenge, must compete in a contest in which gunslingers from all over put their lives on the line for fame and fortune.

For in-depth thoughts on The Quick and the Dead, please check out my thoughts on No Streaming Required:

Video Quality

The new 30th Anniversary 4K UHD Blu-Ray of The Quick and the Dead offers an undeniable uptick in quality over the ancient accompanying Blu-Ray first released in 2009. The film was already released on 4K UHD Blu-Ray seven years ago in 2018, but I have not had the pleasure of checking out that release. From my research, it is up to the high standards we expect from Sony. The only difference on the video side of things with this new release is the inclusion of Dolby Vision, which can possibly tighten up encoding issues in addition to slightly more refined colors and even more concrete contrast. This 4K UHD disc offers a dream amount of natural film grain restored from the Original Camera Negative, which is appropriately textured and resolves well to avoid fluctuating in unnatural ways. There is a consistent sheen of glorious texture and detail within each environment. It is a film crafted with care, and it has never looked more ravishing.

The UHD disc retains the golden tint of the film that delights in the earthy, western hues. There are not a lot of opportunities for colors to flourish outside of this general color range, but the bright blue skies and orange fireballs make an impression. Highlights are brilliant and offer impeccable stability without succumbing to blooming. Black levels are deep and allow the picture to retain a respectable amount of depth and detail in nighttime shots. Skin tones appear to be healthy and consistent, and the clarity of the transfer gives you an astounding amount of subtle detail including some perspiration, scars, and facial hair on some of the cast members. There is not a speck of print damage or other such blemishes that would ruin the appearance of this title. The showings in contrast and overall clarity are among the best on the format. This transfer is a 5-star affair for fans of this classic. Sony is a bastion of quality.

Audio Quality

The 4K UHD Blu-Ray disc brings back the previous Dolby Atmos track along with the original DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio track for the purists. The audio and subtitle options Sony provides are unlikely to disappoint. The Atmos track tastefully expands the overall soundscape while delivering unparalleled immersion and power. Dialogue is crisp and clear without ever getting overshadowed by the competing elements. Exchanges typically stay prominent in the front, but activity extends into the surrounds, rears, and overhead speakers when it comes to the score and raucous environmental sounds.

With this being a western adventure, a bustling soundscape is all part of the game. There is a parade of gunfire and explosions when tensions come to a head. The low end effects from the subwoofer add wonderful texture during the confrontations. Directionality is never messy when it comes to atmospheric effects. The sounds up above are not ceaseless, but they come alive when it makes sense. These additional channels really stand out as the movie establishes the scope of the conflict. The spirited score from Alan Silvestri is honorably rendered with perfect fidelity. For those who choose to go with the original 5.1 track, you will be treated to a first-rate presentation that captures the original artistic intent. There are no flaws that would ruin your enjoyment of the film. Sony has come through with this display of audio wizardry.

Special Features

Sony has provided The Quick and the Dead with a sleek new SteelBook featuring artwork that is truly lovely in person. The front artwork is akin to a “wanted” poster with the four main characters, and the rear features Sharon Stone and Gene Hackman’s characters. The interior sports a still of those two characters on each side. Video of the SteelBook can be found at the top of this review.

The Reckoning – Writing The Quick and the Dead: A nearly 20-minute audio interview with screenwriter Simon Moore in which he discusses why he wanted to tackle the western genre, the inspiration for the tone, the curious structure of the film, and more.

Deleted Scenes: There are seven unused scenes totaling just over five minutes provided.

Theatrical Trailer (2:18)

Final Thoughts

The Quick and the Dead is an energetic take on Westerns courtesy of Sam Raimi that balances narrative hallmarks of the genre with stylistic innovation. We have seen the evil figure ruling over a small town waiting to be toppled by the citizens a thousand times, but things still feel fresh here. The best choice might be the decision to focus on the character played brilliantly by Sharon Stone, who feels fleshed out and multidimensional. The rest of the ensemble is likewise in fine form as they use their natural gravitas to ground the drama in something tangible. It is a raucous blast from beginning to end. Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has released a 4K UHD Blu-Ray featuring a top-tier A/V presentation and some cool new and archival special features. Fans of the film will be delighted to have this one in a can’t-miss package. Highly Recommended

The Quick and the Dead 30th Anniversary Edition is currently available to purchase on 4K UHD Blu-Ray and Digital.

Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the 4K UHD Blu-Ray.

Disclaimer: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.