TOMBSTONE (1993, USA, 130m, 15) ***
Western
dist. Buena Vista Pictures (USA), Entertainment Film Distributors (UK); pr co. Cinergi Pictures Entertainment / Hollywood Pictures; d. George P. Cosmatos; w. Kevin Jarre; pr. Sean Daniel, James Jacks, Bob Misiorowski; ph. William A. Fraker (Technicolor | 2.35:1); m. Bruce Broughton; ed. Harvey Rosenstock, Roberto Silvi, Frank J. Urioste; pd. Catherine Hardwicke; ad. Chris Gorak, Kim Hix, Mark Worthington.
cast: Kurt Russell (Wyatt Earp), Val Kilmer (Doc Holliday), Sam Elliott (Virgil Earp), Bill Paxton (Morgan Earp), Powers Boothe (Curly Bill Brocius), Michael Biehn (Johnny Ringo), Charlton Heston (Henry Hooker), Jason Priestley (Billy Breckinridge), Jon Tenney (Behan), Stephen Lang (Ike Clanton), Thomas Haden Church (Billy Clanton), Dana Delany (Josephine Marcus), Paula Malcomson (Allie Earp), Lisa Collins (Louisa Earp), Dana Wheeler-Nicholson (Mattie Earp), Joanna Pacula (Kate), Michael Rooker (Sherman McMasters), Harry Carey Jr. (Marshal Fred White), Billy Bob Thornton (Johnny Tyler), Tomas Arana (Frank Stillwell).
This narratively uneven but entertaining Western sees Wyatt Earp (Russell) and his brothers, Morgan (Paxton) and Virgil (Elliott) leaving their gunslinger ways behind them to settle down and start a business in the town of Tombstone, Ariz. While they aren’t looking to find trouble, trouble soon finds them when they become targets of the ruthless Cowboy gang. Now, together with Wyatt’s best friend, Doc Holliday (Kilmer), the brothers pick up their guns once more to restore order to a lawless land. Initially intended as a longer epic, the story strands are built nicely before its rushed final act seems to largely contain montage pieces involving Russell and his deputies gunning down the cowboy gangs. Russell is excellent as Wyatt, whilst Kilmer gives a delightfully eccentric performance as Holliday, but the love story subplot between Russell and Delany fails to catch fire. Production standards, notably the sets, are high. Narrated by Robert Mitchum. Director’s cut runs 134m.
