"Tombstone" or "Wyatt Earp"? How about BOTH

Rating: 8/10 (22 September 2016)

Released in 1993 and directed/written by George Cosmatos, "Tombstone" stars Kurt Russell & Val Kilmer as Wyatt Earp & Doc Holliday focusing on the infamous gunfight in Tombstone, Arizona, on October 26, 1881.
This version of the story beat Kevin Costner's "Wyatt Earp" to the theater by six months and stole its thunder. The difference in these two films is in their names: "Tombstone" focuses on Earp's conflict with the 'Cowboys' gang in the Arizona town, whereas "Wyatt Earp" is an epic Western detailing Earp's life from youth to old age, although the Tombstone events are certainly the center piece. At 2 hours and 10 minutes, "Tombstone" runs an hour shorter than "Wyatt Earp." Both are top-of-the-line modern Westerns and whether you'll like one or the other depends on what you're in the mood for. If you're looking for a kinetic, mythmaking rendition of the tale then go with "Tombstone." However, if you want a more realistic, mundane account see "Wyatt Earp." Both are vastly superior to the talky 1957 version of the tale with Burt Lancaster and Kirk Douglas, "Gunfight at the O.K. Corral."
I just saw both films back-to-back and it is fun comparing the two. Val Kilmer from "Tombstone" wins out over Dennis Quaid as Doc Holiday, but not by much and not because Quaid is bad but rather because Holiday's role is more prominent in "Tombstone" with better lines. Actually Kilmer is nothing less than fascinating, although Quaid is more believable. Kurt Russell and Costner are about even as Earp, but "Tombstone" wins out overall in cast with Sam Elliott, Powers Boothe, Michael Biehn, Billy Zane and the shining Dana Delany as Josie, although Joanna Going shines just as much in the same role in "Wyatt." There are exceptions; for instance, Isabella Rossellini from "Wyatt" edges out Joanna Pacula as Big Nose Kate.
As for the dramatic walk to the O.K. Corral and the gunfight itself I favor "Wyatt Earp," but "Tombstone" has a much better build-up to the confrontation. Unfortunately, "Tombstone" spins its wheels in the last 35 minutes with redundant gunfights between Wyatt & his men and the remaining Cowboys. "Wyatt Earp" maintains better momentum after the gunfight.
"Tombstone" stands with the best Westerns of all time, but so does "Wyatt Earp."
The film was shot in Arizona.
GRADE: A- (8.5/10 Stars)