The Quick and the Dead 1995

In the dusty, sun-scorched town of Redemption, 1881 was a year that would forever be etched in the annals of history. It was an era marked by lawlessness and violence, where the strong preyed on the weak and only the bravest survived. Amidst this backdrop of chaos, a mysterious gunslinger known as “The Lady” rode into town, her arrival sparking whispers of intrigue and speculation about her true intentions.

The Lady’s presence coincided with the announcement of John Herod, the ruthless outlaw-turned-mayor, who had decreed a high-stakes shooting tournament. The rules were simple yet brutal: each contestant would face off against another in a single-elimination showdown, with no refusal to challenge allowed and every duel continuing until one participant yielded or met their maker. As the townspeople scrambled to sign up, Herod’s henchmen arrived with Cort, a former gang member turned preacher who possessed exceptional gunfighting skills. Despite his renunciation of violence, Cort was forced to confront the demons of his past when Herod’s men attempted to lynch him for refusing to participate in the tournament. It was The Lady who intervened, her swift draw and precision shooting saving Cort from a gruesome fate.

As the tournament commenced, The Lady, along with Herod and a young upstart named “The Kid,” dispatched their first-round opponents with ease. Herod’s tactics were as cunning as they were ruthless, however, as he manipulated the rules to ensure Cort’s participation in the fight of his life. Despite being armed with a cheap gun and forced to rely on a single bullet at a time, Cort surprised everyone by emerging victorious from his initial duel.

As tensions mounted and the stakes grew higher, Herod made a fateful decision: all duels henceforth would be fought to the death. It was in this climate of fear and bloodlust that Clay Cantrell, a professional gunfighter hired by the townspeople to take down Herod, met his maker. The Kid continued to impress with his skill and determination, while The Lady’s resolve began to waver following a traumatic confrontation with Eugene Dred, who had committed an unspeakable act of violence against a young girl in the local saloon. Shaken by the horrors she had witnessed, The Lady rode out of town, leaving behind a trail of uncertainty and unanswered questions.

As Cort squares off against Spotted Horse in a gritty duel, his initial shot falls woefully short of its mark, prompting him to plead for a second chance at life. Meanwhile, Doc Wallace tracks down the enigmatic Lady, whose real name is revealed through flashbacks to be Ellen, and learns of her harrowing past in Redemption. Herod’s gang had brutally lynched Ellen’s father, the former marshal, leaving behind only a pistol with three shots - a desperate attempt to save his life, but ultimately resulting in tragedy. Doc presents Ellen with her father’s old badge, convincing her to join forces to vanquish Herod and bring justice back to the town.

The following day, Ellen confronts Herod, who has already accepted The Kid’s challenge, leaving Cort as the only remaining fighter. Herod issues a cruel ultimatum: Cort and Ellen must duel each other, threatening to personally slaughter them if they refuse. As tensions rise, The Kid refuses to back down, wounding Herod but ultimately succumbing to his opponent’s superior skill. As Herod meets his demise, he coldly rejects The Kid’s outstretched hand, then whispers the devastating truth: it was never proven that he was The Kid’s father. With the dust settled, Cort and Ellen face off in a tense showdown, only for Doc to declare Ellen dead - a ruse that will soon be revealed.

That night, one of Herod’s henchmen decides to take matters into his own hands, brutally breaking Cort’s right hand as a warning. The next morning, Herod chastises the perpetrator and executes him for his transgression against Cort. Admitting fear, Herod confesses that he forced Cort into the tournament solely out of malice, then offers to fight him left-handed - a twisted display of honor. However, this gesture is tempered by his instruction for his remaining henchmen to eliminate Cort should he emerge victorious.

As the clock strikes dawn, an unexpected twist unfolds: multiple buildings erupt in flames and smoke, including Herod’s own abode and the iconic clock tower. Amidst the chaos, Ellen re-emerges from the ashes, having staged her own demise and covertly planted The Kid’s dynamite with the aid of Cort and Doc. Cort sets about dispatching Herod’s remaining henchmen while Ellen confronts the treacherous outlaw, revealing her true identity by tossing her father’s badge at his feet like a gauntlet. As Herod wounds Ellen, she responds with a vengeful bullet to the eye, sealing his fate.

With Herod defeated and his reign of terror finally at an end, Ellen hands Cort her father’s badge, proclaiming “The law’s come back to town” before riding off into the sunset, leaving behind a trail of justice and redemption.