Watching Tombstone (1993) a film that looks at the OK Corral and after, I realised that I have been fascinated by this bit of history.
For years.
So I sat down today and started researching the film and its subject matter again. I am not a stranger to the town of Tombstone and the disputes and daily arguments between the main factions. I have always had a fascination for the infamous gunfight at the OK Corral and the Earp’s ride of retribution afterwards.
The Story
That the gunfight and the events following are almost common knowledge is down to the feuding newspapers of the day. One paper supported the Earp’s and their ‘town’ backers of businesses and traders. The other paper supported the Clanton’s, Sheriff Johnny Behan and their ‘cattlemen’ supporters.
The film shows this divide from the very beginning. The ‘Cowboys’ were an organised crime outfit that not only rustled cattle, they robbed and murdered and were even thought responsible for the murder of Mexican troops who were on their way to deposit gold, bullion and Peso’s in the Tombstone banks.
That there was tension between the two factions is a matter of fact. Kurt Russell‘s portrayal of Wyatt Earp is easily the best I’ve ever seen. He hits the right notes of righteousness and weariness of the law business and his intention to settle down with his wife and family around him.
It works because of the cast
Sam Elliot and Bill Paxton (in the first role where he actually plays a good guy) played their parts equally well. Elliot as the stiff-necked and doomed Earp brother Morgan and Paxton as the eager and righteous (and most experienced of all the brothers in the world of law enforcement in real life) Virgil both help bring this strong willed family to life.
Michael Biehn, Powers Boothe, Jason Priestly, Val Kilmer and Dana Delany all provide the ambiance and backbone of the film. Kilmer (who lost so much weight to play the consumptive Doc Holliday that he made himself ill) almost stole the show as the man who could not fear death as it was already a constant companion.
Biehn as the over educated yet bestial Johnny Ringo and Boothe as the overbearing Brocius were brilliantly cast as the two ‘main men’ behind the Cowboys gang.
stunning
The film looks stunning capturing the colours and hues of a ‘boom town’ in the late 1800’s American west. The sets, the costumes and the props all look great. Overall this film shows the greatest attention to the facts leading up to and following the infamous gunfight. There are a few things that the film makers have chosen to change or gloss over, but the fact remains that this film is pretty damn accurate.
the gunfight
The actual gunfight is a perfect example of the ‘liberties’ taken by the film makers. In reality the entire gunfight at the OK Corral lasted under 30 seconds. Ike Clanton and Billy Claiborne both fled the area when the fighting started and Ike did tell Wyatt that he was not armed, to which Wyatt replied, “Get fighting or get out. [sic]”
No one entered a photo studio to be shot down.
Incredibly, most of the important details they got right. Virgil Earp does give Doc Holliday the sawn off shotgun.He then takes the walking stick in return. The Earps enter the vacant lot behind the Corral not expecting a fight. Sheriff Behan who meets the Earp’s as they were walking towards the Corral. He tells them that the Clanton’s were not armed.
This is a lie.
Virgil calls for the Clanton’s to turn over their weapons. Guns are pulled and cocked by the gang. Virgil shouts out, ” Hold! I did not mean that (or ‘Hold on! I did not mean that!). Someone opens fire simultaneously from each side opened fire simultaneously.
Behan did attempt to arrest the Earps immediately following the gunfight. Wyatt did indeed say, “I won’t be arrested today. I am right here and am not going away.”
Reality times two
In reality there was a trial. The Earps and Holliday were found innocent of any wrongdoing. This inflamed the already bitter feud between the Cowboys and the Earps.
That Wyatt Earp and Josephine Marcus were a couple was common knowledge at the time.
Russell had his own feud with Kevin Costner about the film. Costner was meant to be in Tombstone. The disagreement caused Costner to leave the project. He started up his own version of events in the the mediocre Wyatt Earp (1994). Costner then lead a ‘hate’ campaign against Russell’s film. Attempting to prevent it from getting distributed by any major studio.
Suffice to say that history repeated itself with Russell’s Earp’s winning against the nefarious actions of the pretender (Costner). Tombstone opened well and pulled in a decent box office receipt. Costner’s film did not do as well.
Childhood memories
I can vaguely remember as a child travelling through Arizona with my parents. We stopped at Tombstone and someone (dammed if I can remember who) took pictures of the OK Corral for our own posterity. The tourist two enacts the entire gunfight for thousands if not millions of tourists every year. I have never seen one of these re-enactments. I do not need to see it. The entire thing is in my mind already.
Of course if I’m feeling lazy, I can always watch Tombstone.
Because folks, it’s about as accurate as you can get.
*If you’d like to read more about the Earp’s and the gunfight at the OK Corral, check out Wikipedia. It’s a good starting point and will reference many different sites for more information. Head for the sites first. *
The Verdict
It is not surprising that I have given Tombstone a full 5 stars despite their adjusting certain things. If I want “truth” I will read a history book or watch a documentary. Tombstone is streaming on Hulu and rented on Prime.
The trailer
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POSTSCRIPT: In revisiting this opinion piece, I found it needed updating. Enjoy.
Michael Knox-Smith
USA
28 July 2024
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