Tombstone Reviews

Oh how I love this movie. It's a toss up with "The good, the bad, and the ugly" as my favorite western. Great cast and some of the best one-liners in film. Probably Val Kilmer's last good movie, and probably had the best part in the movie. Great rendition of the gunfight at the O.K. corral.

Yjos os by far one of my all time favorite westerns. Sorry Clint. But I absolutely love this movies. Val Kilmer as Doc is great, Michael Bein as the Baddie is even better. If you haven't seen and you love westerns, you MUST see this. You'll love it.

I wasn’t really sure what to expect from this flick but since I kept hearing some good things about it, I was quite eager to check it out. It is one of the most famous stories about the Wild West and there have been already numerous versions of it. Furthermore, the production was rather messy (Kevin Jarre was the original director but was fired during the first days of shooting) but in spite of all this, they still managed to make a pretty good movie. To be honest, in my opinion, the whole thing was still not really original but it was still quite entertaining and there was a very neat cast all giving competent perfomances (Kurt Russell, Val Kilmer, Sam Elliott, Bill Paxton, Powers Boothe, Michael Biehn, Charlton Heston, Jason Priestley, Stephen Lang, Thomas Haden Church, Dana Delany, Michael Rooker, Billy Bob Thornton, Billy Zane, John Corbett, Terry O'Quinn). At least, it was miles better than the terribly misguided ‘Wyatt Earp’ starring Kevin Costner. To conclude, even though I don’t think it is really a masterpiece, I still think it is a solid Western, the best I have seen so far about this legendary story, and it is definitely worth a look, especially if you like the genre.

''I spent my whole life not knowing what I want out of it, just chasing my tail. Now for the first time I know exactly what I want and who... that's the damnable misery of it.''

A successful lawman's plans to retire anonymously in Tombstone, Arizona, are disrupted by the kind of outlaws he was famous for eliminating.

Kurt Russell: Wyatt Earp

Val Kilmer: Doc Holliday

If you love westerns or action flicks you have to love Tombstone. The movie is simply loved. The directing is top notch. Tombstone focuses on accuracy while creating an exciting story.
Kurt Russell who leads, never fails to give an electric performance he is on top form as Wyatt Earp.
Val Kilmer is the total essence of Wyatt's friend Doc Holiday in gaunt like looks and his disposition. Wyatt and his brothers arrive with their wives in tombstone looking for a peaceful place to settle down. Dana Delaney is the beautiful lady Wyatt falls for though his already married. His wife is a drug addict and Wyatt's marriage doesn't seem to be working out the way he hoped it could have. Wyatt is in retirement but Doc isn't but soon trouble comes in the form of an outlaw gang called the cowboys wearing red scarves tied to their belts. They cause all kinds of trouble wherever they go. One night they kill the town sheriff and then they bring their revenge and kill Wyatt's brother Morgan.

Wyatt is spurred out of retirement for good and becomes US marshal seeking his own vengeful brand of justice. Soon a shootout takes place and even Doc gets in on the action too alongside his friend.
My fave scene involves Michael Biehn as Johnny Ringo and Val Kilmer as Doc Holliday. Val Kilmer spinning his gun albeith with a cup I could watch all day, first time I saw this I knew Tombstone was great! This scene I always remember alot alongside Val Kilmer who steals the film in my opinion.
This is one of the best western shootouts I've ever seen I'm not usually a big fan of westerns that don't have Clint or John Wayne but Tombstone has an amazing story about real people and events that sucks you in. Tombstone was very enjoyable and the film was brilliantly acted there were no boring scenes throughout the entire film it was a great ride.

Don't miss this you will not be disappointed with an all male cast including Kurt Russell, Val Kilmer, Bill Paxton, Michael Biehn, Sam Elliot, Billy Zane, and loads of others you cannot go wrong with. A masterpiece and one of my favourite movies.

Mostly because of Val Kilmer's performance than anything else. As Doc Holliday, he steals every scene that he occupies in this movie account of Wyatt Earp & Co.'s shootout at the O.K. Coral (a depiction, from what I understand, that allows itself plenty of liberties). Kilmer's portrayal as a sureshot who alcoholism doesn't seem to affect his aim too much, remains memorable in this film as one of the coolest cowboys in recent film history. Sure, he might not be the kind of doctor you'd expect to make house calls,
but he'll be your huckleberry.

This has been my favorite movie since the first time I saw it ages ago. I'm not a big fan of most westerns, although there are a few I do enjoy. Kurt Russell and Val Kilmer were absolutely amazing as Wyatt Earp and Doc Holladay. Of course Sam Elliot was born to be a western star and really helps make this movie great. I love him in anything he does. Tombstone is mostly about what lead up to the shooting at the OK Corral in Tombstone, but it also explores the friendship between Wyatt and Doc as well as Wyatt's romantic relationships. Doc Holladay has some hilarious and memorable lines. They truly do make this movie and Val Kilmer was perfect for the part.

Also, the director's cut has some good additional scenes that aren't pointless like in most extended edition movies.

"Make no mistake, it's not revenge he's after. It's a reckonin'."

Tombstone is an invigorating, riveting, action-packed big-budget Hollywood Western focusing on the legendary gunfight at the O.K. Corral. Over the decades, numerous films have been produced about this aforementioned gunfight, such as My Darling Clementine, Gunfight at the O.K. Corral, and even 1994's Wyatt Earp with Kevin Costner and Dennis Quaid in the lead roles.

Tombstone is certainly the most violent and exciting retelling of the event. The script mixes moments of historical accuracy with some mythology, as well as a dash of fiction for good measure. Where other films on the subject matter limit their focus, Kevin Jarre's screenplay for Tombstone investigates the lead-up to the notorious gunfight in addition to the aftermath. There's greater depth and historical detail to the characters. As a matter of fact, the O.K. Corral shootout in this movie was filmed exactly as the court transcripts indicated. Jarre's script also contains unforgettable dialogue. On top of this, there isn't a single fault in the entire cast. Look at the actors we've been offered: Kurt Russell, Val Kilmer, Sam Elliott, Bill Paxton, Michael Biehn, Charlton Heston, Billy Bob Thornton, Thomas Haden Church, Frank Stallone and even narration by Robert Mitchum! (Mitchum starred in the Howard Hawks Western El Dorado, thus is no stranger to the genre) Granted, it's problematic keeping tabs on the characters and for the most part it's brazen overkill, yet there's a sufficient amount of star-power to keep you mesmerised for the film's full two-hour duration.

"Look at all the stars. You look up and you think, "God made all this and He remembered to make a little speck like me." It's kind of flattering, really."

Wyatt Earp (Russell) is a stalwart and brave lawman located in Dodge City, Kansas. Beside Wyatt are a trio of loyal men: best friend Doc Holliday (Kilmer), as well as Wyatt's brothers Virgil (Elliot) and Morgan (Paxton). The story commences around 1880: Wyatt and his Immortals (and their respective women) retire as lawmen and relocate to Tombstone, Arizona to live a "normal" life. They wish for peace and quiet...perhaps eventually run a saloon together and spend their twilight years as wealthy men. However, their plans are disrupted by the ubiquitous presence of a vicious gang known as the Cowboys. According to the narrator, the Cowboys are the earliest example of organised crime in America. How evil, I hear you ask? These boys gun down an entire wedding party in cold blood before helping themselves to all the food. The Cowboys gang pose a threat to the way of life in Tombstone as people are becoming increasingly afraid to leave their homes. It isn't long before Wyatt Earp and his loyal companions are back in the marshalling business.

Early into the production of Tombstone, the original director (Kevin Jarre, who also wrote the script) was fired from the project. While searching for a replacement, Kurt Russell stepped in and acted as an unofficial director to keep the cameras rolling. It has been reported that when George P. Cosmatos was hired as the new director, he simply kept everything together while Russell directed a majority of the picture.

If you're seeking a predominantly action-oriented Western, you cannot do better than Tombstone. The action sequences are flawlessly orchestrated and unreservedly enthralling. In the 50s and 60s, John Wayne and Gary Cooper Westerns were all the rage. These films were more dialogue than action. And when shootouts did erupt, people simply fell down in a cloud of smoke without sporting a wound (for the most part...there were a few exceptions). Enter Sergio Leone who created the Spaghetti Western genre. Again, more dialogue and adventure than action. It wasn't until Sam Peckinpah's The Wild Bunch that Westerns suddenly became more violent and action-packed. Tombstone disregards the complex narrative and frequent red herrings that so plagued and marred Westerns in past decades. The plot complexities are replaced with action, action and more action. There is a lot of dialogue and the characterisations are satisfying deep, but there's still room for lots of exhilarating action. At two hours the moderately thin story does seem a tad stretched out, in the end becoming nothing more than shootouts followed by more shootouts. I'm not complaining at all, but this fact makes the film slightly inferior to all the greatest cinematic Westerns that offer meatier stories.

"You die first, get it? Your friends might get me in a rush, but not before I make your head into a canoe, you understand me?"

Kurt Russell turns in an electric performance as the infamous Wyatt Earp. Debate has been sparked regarding the definitive cinematic embodiment of the lawman, so I'll allow you to draw your own conclusions. Russell delivers his outstanding dialogue with admirable conviction.
Val Kilmer is the undeniable star of the show. He's an absolute hoot as the lurid, foppish tuberculosis-ridden Doc Holliday. Kilmer is truly a scene stealer. He presents a sincerely sensitive portrait of a man with nothing to lose, whose last stake in life is preserving the dignity of his friendship with Wyatt. It's a flamboyant yet poignant performance, and it transforms an ostensible action film into a story of stirring comradeship as well. This could be Kilmer's finest moment on film. Why he never won any awards for this performance is simply beyond me.
Sam Elliott and Bill Paxton are credible and engaging as Wyatt's brothers. Both look the part with their genuine moustaches and commanding screen presence.
There are simply too many members of the supporting cast to mention. Suffice to say, this is how you're supposed to cast a movie! If Tombstone doesn't have the greatest cast of all time, it's certainly close to obtaining that honour.

In tradition with Hollywood Westerns, the period depiction in Tombstone is gorgeous. The town is fittingly atmospheric, with a number of utterly stunning vistas on display in the background. It's a beautifully photographed movie from top to bottom. This is an all-embracing staple in the Western genre. Director Cosmatos apparently claimed all the lightning in the film is real (the actual bolts, that is).
Costumes and props light up the frame to great effect. The guns and high-fitted holsters are also very accurate. The sound mix is another compelling aspect begging to be mentioned. The sound effects are definitely suitable. The music adds yet another indelible layer to the excellent film. It's almost criminal that this film never received an ounce of recognition from the Oscar committee.

How can I not recommend Tombstone? It's a great ride and there's a lot of fun to be had by all. It exhibits a rough-and-tumble vigour that's hard for a die-hard Western fan to resist. It's an excellent way to spend a few hours. Certainly, this is a beer-and-pizza event that makes effortless viewing on a boring afternoon. Witty dialogue, lots of shooting, lots of blood, lots of horse-riding...what's not to like? If you're looking for more bang for your buck, rent Tombstone. If you're looking for a film slightly deeper and more drama-oriented, rent 3:10 to Yuma or The Proposition or any John Wayne Western. The choice is yours.

Wyatt Earp's fifth cousin (the aptly named Wyatt Earp) makes an appearance as Billy Claiborne.

"I spent my whole life not knowing what I want out of it, just chasing my tail. Now for the first time I know exactly what I want and who... that's the damnable misery of it.

8.3/10

I don't like westerns as a rule and it's rare that I watch them so I couldn't tell you if this was a good one or not. I wouldn't have watched it if a friend of mine hadn't of recommended it so after all this time of trying to get my hands on a copy I finally get to watch it and I found it to be quite dull. Dull is the word that springs to mind and really the only word. The acting was ok it was just the story. It felt like it became slow in parts and as a result I ended up fast forwarding a fair bit of it towards the end. Didn't care that I missed out on dialogue because as far as I was concerned the dialogue was nothing special.
Whether I like westerns or not I think it says a lot when someone finds a movie so dull they can't wait for it to be over. Possibly more enjoyable for western lovers but anyone else might just find it flat.