In the course of his long career, numerous film roles of mega-star Leonardo DiCaprio have remained in the memory, but the appearance as young cowboy in the action western Faster than Death is not one of them. Unjustly so, because the film scores with an original story and a remarkable production by Spider-Man director Sam Raimi. If you don’t know it, you can see it on TV today.
Today on TV: Western with a first-class Hollywood cast
In 1881, the isolated Wild West town of Redemption is ruled by the brutal outlaw Herod (Gene Hackman). He has a public duel competition announced and his challengers enter the scene. There is a hefty prize money to be won, but whoever loses pays with their life. However, a mysterious stranger (Sharon Stone), the preacher and ex-bandit Cort (Russell Crowe) and a cocky youngster who believes he is Herod’s son (DiCaprio) are not deterred by this.
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Sharon Stone and Leonardo DiCaprio in The Quick and the Dead
Sharon Stone paid Leonardo DiCaprio’s fee out of her own pocket
When The Quicker the Dead hit theaters in 1995, the then 21-year-old DiCaprio was still at the beginning of his career. Although he had already shown his talent two years earlier with the drama Gilbert Grape, the studio was looking for a more familiar face. But co-producer Sharon Stone had a say, as People reports from her memoir The Beauty of Living Twice quoted.
Stone was already convinced by DiCaprio at the audition when he burst into tears. The studio remained adamant.”They said if I want him so much, I can pay for it out of my own pocket. And that is what I did.” Perhaps she was a good role model for DiCaprio, because years later he gave up 90 percent of his salary for a Clint Eastwood film.
Faster than Death: From cinema flop to fan cult
The Quicker Than Death was not a success. At the box office, the western was a absolute flop. With 18 million US dollars, it has just recouped a little more than half of its production costs. It has now achieved a certain cult status among fans. It also landed on 19th place in the best Neo-Westerns.
In the contemporary New York Times review, Janet Maslin praised the film’s distinctive visual style and Raimi’s penchant for dramatic, almost comic-like scenes. The film is characterized by an energetic and fast-paced production that gives the Western genre a unique dynamic.
Fans of DiCaprio and Raimi should not miss their early work.
When will The Quick and the Dead with Leonardo DiCaprio be on TV?
Faster than death is running in the Night from today, Sunday 28 July, to Monday at 1.15 am on Sat 1. If you miss the film, you can watch it on Netflix, among other places.