Full of bravado, bluster, and blood, "Tombstone," the 1993 star-studded re-telling of the tale of Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday remains one of the more intriguing westerns (and even films in general) made in the 90s.
This latest release of the film (on Blu-Ray disc) features a hit-or-miss transfer that sometimes is clear and beautiful, others grainy and dull.
The extras are somewhat lackluster, with only a short documentary (that does feature some interesting character breakdown from the stars themselves from the set, still in costume and makeup, including Kilmer dressed up as Holliday but not using his accent), storyboards and trailers. Where are our deleted scenes, commentary track, and perhaps a historial look at Earp?
The film itself is even more interesting given star Kurt Russell's recent revelation that he ghost-directed the film (George P. Cosmatos is the credited director, who also helmed "Rambo: First Blood Part II," a film that was rumored to be largely directed by Sylvester Stallone).
You should know the story, more or less: Earp meets up with his brothers in the fledgling burg Tombstone, tired of the kill-or-be-killed life of a lawman. He's looking to settle down, start up a business, make some money, and mind his own business.
Earp tries to mind his business as they shoot up the place in drunken rampages and endanger the lives (or worse) of the townsfolk, but Wyatt's brothers (Sam Elliott and Bill Paxton) won't let him, and before he knows it that marshal's star is calling him again.
But he doesn't know Tombstone is plagued by the Cowboys, a group of ruffians who bully the populace at will. They're led by Curly Bill (Powers Boothe) and Johnny Ringo (an impressive Michael Biehn), sadistic killers.
Also in town is Doc Holliday (Kilmer), suffering from tuberculosis, not that he's letting that slow him down. He's also one of Wyatt's best friends.
As you might guess, soon the bullets are flying.
In many ways the film is a hot mess: the pacing is off at times, the narrative is at times confusing, especially the inclusion of a romance between the married Earp and the stunning Josephine Marcus (Dana Delaney). It's presented without a bit of guilt or pause given his wife is back in the corner of the screen chugging bottles of whatever drugs she can get her hands on.
In many ways it's a case of the inmates running the asylum, as the actors were largely in control of their own parts, giving the film an odd feel.
But the cast is stellar and deep: Russell, Kilmer, Sam Elliott, Bill Paxton, Delaney, Biehn , Boothe, Billy Zane, Terry O'Quinn, and Thomas Haden Church. A pre-"Sling Blade," ruddy-faced Billy Bob Thornton appears as well in a memorable role as a bullying card dealer whom Earp sets straight with the famous line "You gonna do something, or just stand there and bleed?"
Also impressive is Stephen Lang as Ike Clanton, which is all the more interesting given a role he'd take 15 years later, the evil Col. Miles Quartich in "Avatar." It's amazing to see the difference between the cowardly, troll-like Clanton and the in-your-face jarhead he plays in the latter film.
"Tombstone" also has a great wit, with Holliday in particular standing out as one of Kilmer's best roles.
The action is bloody and brutal, with frequent head shots and often showing the bloody aftermath of 1800s-era gunfights, digging bullets out of men without the benefit of anesthesia.
"Tombstone" is imminently watchable (and re-watchable; I've seen the film half a dozen times and just noticed the scene that shows Curly Bill is gay), and is a must for Western fans, and for men in general.
Film: 4 Yaps Extras: 3 Yaps