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Actors: Kurt Russell, Val Kilmer, Sam Elliot, Bill Paxton, Powers Boothe, Michael Biehn, Charlton Heston
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| Review Summary and Plot Commentary about Tombstone |
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Wyatt Earp (played by Kurt Russell) and his two brothers: Virgil (played by Sam Elliot) and Morgan (played by Bill Paxton) and their wives arrive in Tombstone, Arizona in an attempt to resettle and change their careers, after Wyatt has retired from being a Lawman. But Tombstone is not as "cosmopolitan" as the corrupt Sheriff of Tombstone, John Behan, claims that it is.
Not long after arriving things appear to be going well for the Earp Family: Wyatt has secured a job as partner of a saloon, after running the bully off who was dominating the scene (Johnny Tyler played by Billy Bob Thornton). The sheriff has provided them with housing inside the city limits and welcomed them with open arms, business is flourishing and all seems like it couldn't get any better.
But then, Wyatt becomes reuinted with Doc Holiday, a rogue, gambler, and violent pistolero. His brother, Virgil, becomes incensed at the way he sees the local Cowboys who are actually a red sash wearing outlaw gang who run roughshod over the towns folk of Tombstone. And, unbeknownst to Wyatt, Virgil and Morgan become Tombstone policemen out of guilt for having done so well financially but not contributing to the welfare of the citizens.
Wyatt is outraged at their stupidity and tries to talk them out of it, to no avail. The centerpiece of the entire film plot occurs when the Red Sash Wearing Cowboy-Outlaws, led by Powers Booth who is portraying Curly Bill Brocius, Wyatt's main adversary, and his second in command, Johnny Ringo played by Michael Beihn, ride into town armed, in violation of the new laws set down by Virgil and Morgan Earp that all visitors to town must check in their guns with the Law.
Virgil wants to go down and disarm them. Wyatt tries to talk him out of a confrontation. But Virgil is insistent. Morgan wants to always back his brother's play. Wyatt finally concedes to the confrontation about the time Doc Holiday (Val Kilmer) arrives fresh from his sickbed. Holiday, an alleged dentist, but confirmed gunman, is always ready for a fight, and in spite of his tuberculosis, shows up to support his ONLY friend, Wyatt Earp.
The five men, armed to the teeth, walk down Center Street Tombstone to the OK Corral and do not realize that they will become part of Americana that day. From this point on the film becomes increasingly more intense with every scene, and the true character of all involved becomes perfectly clear.
Dana Delaney, Wyatt's love interest in the film, who plays Josephine, an actress who has come to Tombstone to put on a show, is nearby being photographed in scanty nightwear when the Famous Gun Battle of the OK Corral begins. Sheriff Behan has feelings for her, as does Wyatt, but the violence that ensues erases all chances for her and Behan to become an item.
--KERRY BULLS, Resident Scholar
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Having cleaned up Dodge City, Kansas, Wyatt Earp (Russell) turns in his badge and moves to Tombstone, Arizona with his wife and two brothers Virgil (Elliott) and Morgan (Paxton) to make it big in the "private sector." Unfortunately, the town is pretty much overrun by a wild gang that calls itself the Cowboys and features charismatic and outgoing "Curly Bill" Brocious (Boothe) and stone-cold gunslinger Johnny Ringo (Biehn) at its head. Wyatt also has to contend with his wife's opium addiction and the strong come-hithers he gets from Josephine Marcus (Dana Delaney), a professional actress who's taken the town by storm and temporarily taken up with the corrupt county sheriff, John Behan (Jon Tenney). On the plus side, old friend Doc Holliday (Kilmer, in an eccentric but mesmerizing performance) also shows up. Unlike other cinematic versions of this story, this 1993 film, sharply directed by George Cosmatos, does not climax with the shootout at the O.K. Corral: that comes midway through the story, which continues on to Wyatt Earp's fierce pursuit of justice and revenge in the months that followed. This is a standout modern Western.
--David Loftus, Resident Scholar
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Val Kilmer as Doc Holiday is the BEST! Kurt Russell as Wyatt Earp is excellent also, as is Sam Elliott and the entire cast of this western. This is the most action packed Western I have seen. I have actually watched this show over 100 times and still love it! Justice will and does prevail and shows that a true friendship can be a lifesaving thing in a person's life.
--Suzanne Hall, Resident Scholar
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If you like Westrens this is the movie for you!
Kurt Russell does excellent in his portrayl of Wyatt Earp,
as does Val Kilmer as the fiesty Doc Holliday.
There is plenty of action and a little romance. Very on the edge of your seat stuff. Bill paxton is an added pleasure.
--Candi, Resident Scholar
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A western with guns blazing.
--EDWARD FLINGOS, Resident Scholar
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Kurt Russell plays Wyatt Earp, who hangs up his marshal's badge and moves to Tombstone, the newest boom town. He and his two brothers and their wives invest in a gambling hall and aim to take part in the mining. But the Clanton gang spoils their plans, leading to the shoot-out at the O.K. Corral. Afterward, Earp takes revenge for the death of his brother.
--BethG, Resident Scholar
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| Analysis of Tombstone |
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Composition of Movie
Actual chase scenes or violence - 40%
Planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 33.3%
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 26.7%
Time/Era of Movie:
- 19th century
Western
Yes
Kind of western:
- hunting down outlaws
- fighting bad business/family
Main Character
Identity:
- Male
Profession/status:
- police/lawman
Age:
- 20's-30's
- 40's-50's
Hair color?
- brunette (Brown)
Hair style
- short/standard straight (man)
Body type
- average (man)
Ethnicity/Nationality
- White (American)
How sensitive is this character?
- hard edged
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Secondary Main Character
Identity:
- Male
Hair color
- blonde
Hair style
- (man) short/standard straight
Ethnicity/Nationality
- White (American)
Main Adversary
Identity:
- Male
Age:
- 20's-30's
Profession/status:
- cowboy
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- 80%
Hair color
- brunette (Brown)
Hair type
- (man) short/standard straight
Body type
- average (man)
Ethnicity/Nationality
- White (American)
Physique
- average physique
Sense of humor
- Cynical sense of humor
How sensitive is this character?
- mean, arrogant
Setting
United States
Yes
The US:
- West
Small town?
Yes
Small town people:
- hostile, like Gomer Pyle on steroids
Style
Accounts of torture and death?
- moderately messy visuals of dead
Movie makes you feel...
- excited
How many deaths in film?
- 8 or more
How much use of techno gadgets?
- 1 (None)
Kind of violence:
- mental battles
- hand to hand
- guns
- knives
Unusual forms of death
- perforation--bullets
Any profanity?
- Occasional swearing
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Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s). | |
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