Tombstone [1993]

1879. The Civil War is over, and the resulting economic explosion spurs the great migration west. Farmers, ranchers, prospectors, killers and thieves seek their fortunes. Cattle drovers turn cow towns into armed camps with murder rates higher than those of modern-day New York or Los Angeles. 

Out of this chaos comes legendary lawman Wyatt Earp, retiring his badge and gun to start a peaceful life with his family. Earp’s friend, John ‘Doc’ Holliday—a Southern gentleman turned gunman and gambler—also travels west, hoping the dry climate will relieve his tuberculosis. 

Silver is discovered in Arizona. Tombstone becomes queen of the boomtowns, where the latest Paris fashions are sold from the backs of wagons. Attracted to this atmosphere of greed, over one hundred exiled Texas outlaws band together to form a ruthless gang recognized by the red sashes they wear. They emerge as the earliest example of organized crime in America. They call themselves ‘the Cowboys.’

Directed: George P. Cosmatos (Rambo: First Blood Part II)

Writer: Kevin Jarre (Glory, The Mummy, Rambo: First Blood Part II)

Composer: Bruce Broughton (Bug's Life, So I Married An Axe Murderer, Silverado)
Cinematographer: William A. Fraker (Rules of Engagement)
Editors: Harvey Rosenstock (Scent of a Woman) Roberto Silvi, & Frank J. Urioste (RoboCop, Die Hard, Basic Instinct)

Production Designer: Catherine Hardwicke
Genre: Biography, Drama, History, Western

MPAA Rating: R, for Violence

Starring: 

    Kurt Russell as Wyatt Earp

    Val Kilmer as Doc Holliday

    Sam Elliott as Virgil Earp

    Bill Paxton as Morgan Earp

    Powers Boothe as Curly Bill Brocius

    Michael Biehn as Johnny Ringo

    Stephen Lang as Ike Clanton

    Dana Delany as Josephine Marcus

Plot

Wyatt Earp and the Earp brothers (along with their friend & outlaw Doc Holliday) all find themselves simultaneously in Tombstone Arizona, trying to find a place to put roots and settle down. At first the Earps and the Cowboys will simply pass each other by—but good men cannot always stand by and let evil prosper. So ensues the famous conflict between the Earp Brothers and the notorious Cowboys.

The western genre was in a strange place in the 1990's. After decades dominating the silver screen with lengthy classic and revisionist periods, the genre had fully begun to deconstruct (largely thanks to Unforgiven [1992]). Yet Tombstone seems completely unphased by this new phase, giving us a classic action heavy tale with simple themes. Oh, and it just so happens to feature one of the most famous gun battles in history. 

The film does try to follow that history for the most part but I wouldn't exactly call it historically accurate, leaning into the dramatic a tad in service of the narrative. Regardless, it is a great story with fantastic writing & set design, and—perhaps most importantly—there is a phenomenal cast that performs all of these characters in a truly memorable way. It is easy to imagine the actors really caring about being a part of this project, it shines through in every moment they have—even in the minor characters. 

Tombstone also has a very special place in my heart for many reasons. For one, me and my dad have spent hours watching it together; and hours more discussing the events of the film or quoting it in verbatim back at each other. Second to that, I think this is the movie that made me fall in love with movies. Sure I liked movies before (mostly part I liked imitating the characters on screen from a very young age, and maybe that tells you a little too much about me), but it was this one that made me realize what kind of art you can create when every element of it's storytelling can come together in perfect harmony. That's why I credit so many people at the top of my reviews—it takes a lot of people to make something great. To put a cherry on top, I have been playing a D&D character I based loosely off Kilmer's Doc Holliday for almost four years and I have grown rather attached to that little asshole. I always hate the question "What is your favorite movie?" because it's always felt so limiting; I prefer the "If you were stranded on a desert island..." version, and for that Tombstone is definitely my answer.

Music

The score of this movie is probably the weakest point in the entire film for me, but that is by no means a bad thing. Broughton puts together music that harks back to the westerns of old without feeling excessively grandiose, and it's appropriate considering the type of movie you're seeing: lawmen & outlaws, justice & revenge. That musical style used to bother me more back in the day I'll admit, but at this point I've heard enough of Elmer Bernstein's work to hear exactly how much Borough turned it down from where it could've been. Still, nothing quite sticks with me even after dozens of viewings, save for a few climactic moments. 8.5/10

Writing

So much praise to Jarre! He was clearly a very talented writer before he died in 2011 at 56 due to heart failure. Working only sixteen years in the business, he had very few total writing credits—but when he got to work he did it right! Glory and Rambo: First Blood Part II are excellent films, as was the wonderfully charming movie The Mummy. Tombstone however is his magnum opus!
I would watch this film just to experience the character interactions, it is one of the few screenplays I have sat and read cover to cover for that exact reason. To give credit where credit is due, the actors are brilliant; but without a well written screenplay, even the best of actors will struggle. Jarre made it easy for them, giving the freedom to hone in the delivery of their performance and let his dialogue work for them. This excellence does not extend to the films female characters really at all, however it's a sin I'm willing to overlook as the narrative isn't really about them or their silly opium riddled lives.
I will always be sad that we have lost Jarre all too soon, but I am grateful for what he was able to contribute to the world. 10/10, hits every time.

Set Design

Great acting, a well written script; all this movie needed to completely enthrall me was a believable set to immerse myself in. Western's are typically fairly easy in that regard, as there are many ghost towns and small settlements west of the Mississippi river that would love nothing more than to allow some Hollywood money to come into their state or town. Tombstone is no exception, relying very heavily on tourism for its continued economic success after the silver mines that built it ran dry. Tombstone preserved a historical district that helped to serve this movie well, but even still, having been to the town I can assure you that a lot of work and love was put into making that place ready for filming this movie. From the interior of the Birdcage theater to the smoky atmosphere of Crystal Palace saloon, Hardwicke did an exceptional job bringing the late 19th century to life in every scene—and of course, those Tucson sights are in the mix of locations, so that's always going to earn extra points from me. 10/10

Final Thoughts & Overall Rating

I absolutely love this film. It is difficult to accurately judge something that was so fundamental to my childhood, and it certainly has it's flaws if you're looking for them, but I think Tombstone is a masterpiece. Kurt Russel and Val Kilmer in particular are incredible (Doc and Wyatt's dynamic is my friendship goals irl). It's a movie that defines who I am as a person, it's a part of my family's lexicon, and I would sit down to watch it any day.
On one final note, Val Kilmer died recently in April after battling cancer for many years. Throat cancer took his voice away and pretty much ended his acting career a long time ago, but I always liked knowing he was out there. I know he's seen the praise for his portrayal of Doc from lots of places, it's just always meant a lot to me for some reason. I'm gonna miss him.

In Vino Veritas

10/10, Mythologizing & Epic! 

Beaux Score: "Yeehaw buddy, 10/10"

¡Tierra de Aguafiestas!

(Land of Spoilers)

I don't have much to say here, but I couldn't really find a better place to talk about my issues with the movie; little things that I would change that I feel like could make it perfect. I'd axe the narration at the end for one. I'd write my women a better while also committing to making Josephine the prostitute she probably was. I'd also fix that thing you see in movies when lightning flashes and thunder are expressed at the exact same time, that always bugs me.

Also I was genuinely shocked the first time I learned that Wyatt and Doc were not as good friends in real life. Like really, how is that even possible? Don't you see them on screen? They're literally the best friends, dumbass.