The Quarry
A police informant finds himself staring down into a pit with a gun to his head,
but when he miraculously survives he fights to make his escape.

The classics are classics for a reason. But sometimes, they need a paint job to reach modern audiences. Baz Luhrmann’s 1996 Romeo + Juliet is a great example. Jonathan’ Sieff’s far shorter The Quarry is, too. 

Meet Matt, a man waaaaay too familiar with the Mob. A part of the “inner” circle, the version of Matt who first comes to our attention is beaten, bloodied. Terrified at what comes next. Wobbling on the edge of a cliff, Matt’s got a gun to his head – and he’s about to be “excommunicated” in a rather final way.

What’s brought Matt to this lonely, bloody end?  Told in flashbacks, his motives are classic, too: A baby on the way with wife Chloe. A chance to run from his troubles and start anew… if he agrees to wear a wire and rat out his boss. 

Such is a deal with the proverbial devil. After Matt is frisked, the wire’s found. And just like that, all is lost.

Or is it?

When hitman Nicky’s gun jams, tonight may be Matt’s lucky day after all.

Matt shuts his eyes, waiting for the inevitable. A tear runs down his cheek.

MATT
I love you, Chloe.

Nicky pulls the trigger. Nothing happens. Tony is shocked. He scrambles to grab his gun.

Matt turns and wrestles Nicky for the gun. He's successful.

In that moment, Nicky kicks him off the edge. Matt falls for what seems like eternity.

Matt hits the bottom, stunned but alive. Though he’s still in a perilous position, Matt’s now got Nicky’s gun. Fueled by his love of Chloe, he’s also got a SLIM chance to stay alive. Thus, the race is on.  

An easy shoot for any director adept at action scenes, The Quarry completes its bloody destiny in just seven pages. A fun reboot of a classic literary short many have read in school, it’s even got a built in audience. We’re not telling which story Quarry “builds” on, but do it justice and you’ll introduce a whole new generation to what made the “original gangster” tale so good!