Loosely Historical, But Tight Entertainment

As much as I love this movie, I am here to say that "Tombstone" (1993) is great entertainment but poor history. I saw this movie before I read up on it and saw a documentary on the History Channel about Wyatt Earp. These two sources cured me of the fallacy that "Tombstone" written by Kevin Jarre was faithful to history. But what the heck, partner it is a great western.

I agree with one reviewer that Val Kilmer as Doc Holiday pretty much upstaged Kurt Russell (Wyatt Earp), but just barely. Kurt Russell plays a strong and stoic Wyatt Earp throughout most of the movie. Yet, in the scene where he is in the rain crying and wailing after the murder of his younger brother Morgan, he gives a performance that is nothing less than poignant. I can think of no other movie where Russell's skill as an actor is better demonstrated.

The story of "Tombstone", of course, covers the infamous shootout at the OK Corral. Prior to this you see the Earp brothers being successful gaming businessmen. I doubt this is historical because after leaving Dodge City, Wyatt Earp became a deputy sheriff of Pima County in Arizona around this time period. After the OK Corral shootout, the Cowboys got their revenge by killing Morgan (Bill Paxton). Virgil (Sam Elliot), Wyatt's older brother, was severely injured himself. To seek revenge Wyatt becomes a deputy U.S. marshal to hunt down and kill the Cowboys. Though it is true that Earp became a deputy U.S. marshal, it seems doubtful that he became one for the reason the movie gives.

Michael Biehn performance as one of Cowboys was perhaps his best to date. His dueling scene with one of the protagonists at the end is one of the better gun duels I have seen on a movie screen.

If you want to watch an Earp western that is vastly engaging and thrilling, then watch "Tombstone". Yet, if you want to watch a film that depicts the history and character of Wyatt Earp more accurately then rent "Wyatt Earp" (1994) starring Kevin Costner.