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Director: George M. Cosmatos
Starring: Kurt Russell, Val Kilmer, Sam Elliott, Bill Paxton, Powers Boothe, Michael Biehn, Dana Delany, Michael Rooker
Tombstone is an excellent western that is based on by true events, and features some of the best dialog ever put into a duster, as well as one of the genre’s best characters in Val Kilmer’s portrayal of Doc Holiday, who barely outdoes Kurt Russell’s Wyatt Earp performance. The captivating story starts out strongly, and continues taut and absorbing until the famous gun battle, but the third act, (last half hour or so) relies too heavily on unrealistic, undeveloped action scenes that feel rushed, though many viewers consider that to be just as enjoyable. It still builds to a strong finish, however, and despite any weaknesses, Tombstone is an excellent film that transcends its genre to have widespread appeal.
Kurt Russell is Wyatt Earp, a bold, tough, former lawman arriving in Tombstone to leave behind his policing career and focus on making his fortune. He is joined there by his two brothers, Virgil and Morgan (Sam Elliott and Bill Paxton) along with his sickly, but dangerous, and darkly charismatic, gunslinger pal, Doc Holiday (Val Kilmer). Tombstone is in the grips of a deadly group of criminals, calling themselves “The Cowboys”, lead by Curly Bill Brocius and Johnny Ringo (Powers Boothe and Michael Biehn) and soon the Earp faction finds itself in an escalating conflict with the group that leads to the most famous gunfight of the Old West.
Tombstone and Kevin Costner’s longer, and drier, Wyatt Earp came out almost on top of each other, and Tombstone has clearly been the more popular of the two. While it does take more creative license with the facts, Kilmer’s Doc Holiday alone, makes this rugged feature worth seeing. It is a must-see for western fans, particularly those with an interest in the historical Old West and those who have enjoyed films like Young Guns.
