A Western for a woman who doesn't like westerns!

I have to admit, I do now usually like westerns at all. However, with the cast and storyline here, I was mesmerized. Sam Elliott drew me in at first, because he is something else to watch, but Val Kilmer and Kurt Russell drew me in also. I loved this movie so much, I bought the director's cut, and I've watched it several times. It is definately a keeper!

Exciting Version of the Great Gunfight, and Epilogue: Val Kilmer Ignites as Doc

This version of the Earps and Holiday versus the Cowboys is an exciting and colorful tale with an outstanding cast ( meant a 5 star rating). Unlike the Costner film, this movie starts quickly with the Earp saga starting with their initial entry into Tombstone. The telling of the story is a somewhat compressed liberal historical interpretation but it is pretty factual with a large cast representing authentically the real life characters even as obscure as such as Earp's extended friends such as Turkey Creek Jack Johnson (Buck Taylor from Gunsmoke) and Texas Jack Vermlllion (Paul Sherayko) to the Clanton's cowboy pals such as Pony Deal (Forrie J. Smith) and Billy Claiborne (Wyatt Earp, a real descendant of the original). The dress and town scenes appear highly authentic and add to the reality feel of the film. The cast is extraordinary with Val Kilmer standing out in the cast that features Sam Elliott (Virgil) who has excellent scenes as the forceful older brother, Bill Paxton (Morgan), Powers Booth (Curley Bill), Michael Biehn (Ringo), Stephen Lang (Ike Clanton), Thomas Haden Church (Billy Clanton), Charlton Heston (rancher Henry Hooker) in a modest role and Billy Bob Thornton as a relatively obscure but well played ignorant Faro dealer. Kurt Russell does very well playing the lead. His character is in stark contrasts to Costner's who may reflect the truer character of Earp as a dour, matter of fact fellow but Russell's show's a tough but more up beat character that adds life to the film and story. Kilmer is highly entertaining as the sickly yet eerily unpredictable Holiday, ready to enter a fray in spite of his weak physical condition with no fear of death. Kilmer's sudden and timely appearances add suspense to the story as he utters his classic line "I'm your huckleberry!" The saloon conflict between Ringo, played by Biehn, and Holiday is one of the non-OK corral highlights of the film as the two almost come to shooting it out in the most famous scene in the film when they virtually mock each other classically (literally) during an aborted card game. Stephen Lang is tremendous as the trouble making, despicable and cowardly Ike Clanton that acted as the incendiary to the real life conflict. Aside from the overbearing opening with the Cowboys in a gratuitous violent scene, the film is true to the real story. Curley Bill, in real life, was abusive with his guns and injurious to many individuals but at the same time a friend to others, including town folk who made money off the cowboys such as County Sheriff Behan (well played by John Tenny). These strange relationships between Cowboys who committed crimes and their economic ties to a number of people contributed to the divide in Tombstone well captured in this story (also depicted in the movie "High Noon"). The Earps in this movie have virtually been adopted by the real Tombstone today with a billboard advertisement that looks almost exactly like these Earps and the billboard appears to include Russell's actual face, front center amongst the other imitators. The walk of the Earps with Holiday is a classic movie poster that captures the authentic costume and steely eyed look of the four some and a copy is well worth hanging on the wall. Also notable in the film, is a brief appearance of Dana Delaney having a very sensual photograph taken that is suddenly interrupted. A real life photo of the same type of picture exists of Josephine Marcus although there is significant controversy whether it really is her or not but is certainly is a sexy picture for the time. Some other issues, Dana Delaney is a very attractive Josephine Marcus and is captivating but her Josephine has less of a past than her real counterpart. Also Harry Carey, Jr. plays Marshall Fred White but White was only 31, not the senior officer as portrayed by Carey. Also, the vengeance ride with Wyatt and friends has some truth to it, his brother Warren was actually with him, but it is not as long and murderous as it is depicted. However, the ambush scene with Earp going to toe with the cowboy leader is relatively accurate although not as depicted. Ringo's death is also a mystery today but some speculate that Earp and Holiday has something to do with it. I give the edge to this movie over Costner's due to this faster moving script, great cast and Kilmer versus Biehn action; however, seeing both allows for a nice contrast.

One of the 5 Greatest Westerns Ever Made

As the back of package says, this is "one of the 5 greatest Westerns ever made". How the story goes on the timeline along with the real history is just great and never gets watchers bored. I personally like Val Kilmar's acts the best as dying Doc Holliday. Probably most of those who love this movie say the same. The interaction between Doc and Johnny Ringo is worth watching besides Wyatt Earp's reputation. This movie is great for everybody: from casual watchers to hard-core westerners. If you are one of each or somewhere between, I suggest you to check this out!!
SY