'Wyatt Earp' or 'Tombstone' ?

[Mistered]

I FINALLY managed to make it all the way through 'Wyatt Earp' yesterday although I am a Tombstone 'junkie'!

I'll be honest - I DON'T like Costner - he is so 'contrived'' and always appears unnatural and as though he is 'forcing' himself to act. Enuff said.

Anyway I'll admit the movie got better after it moved along but is definitely 'grittier' and darker than Tombstone which is a bit 'lighter' and more 'dramatic'. It also moved much faster than Tombstone but there was a lot more content involved covering Wyatts' earlier years before winding up in Arizona.

It seems I recall reading once 'Wyatt Earp' was more reality based with the characters while Tombstone left a few out.

I really liked Quaid as Holliday and wonder if he would have made a better 'fit' in Tombstone.

Anyway whatta ya think?

[North Country Gal]

I agree. I prefer Tombstone for the entertainment factor, the story line and the overall acting, though I have to give Quaid credit as Doc in Wyatt Earp. That made up for a lot of Costner's usual flat acting. Still, I also loved Val Kilmer as Doc in Tombstone. Will never forget the scene where he does the twirling thing with his whiskey cup. That was brilliant.

We watch Tombstone over and over - it never fails to entertain with all its colorful characters and interesting story line. Wyatt Earp, though, only every once in a great while. Not a bad movie, by any means, but just not in my favorites list. Tombstone very definitely is, though.

As for Costner, I do like him more in Open Range (also a favorite). It's a better fit for him playing alongside Robert Duvall and Anette Bening. I enjoy the movie in large part because of the other actors and roles. Costner is more tolerable to me when played against other strong characters and good actors. When he is carrying most of the story, not so much.

[dddrees]

Although I like Costners version Tombstone is more enjoyable and I end up watching Tombstone more often.

[RanchRoper]

For period correct-ness Tombstone wins. The guns, gear, holsters, cartridge belts, saddles, etc are all correct.
Wyatt Earp is not. The buscadero style belts and holsters are a Hollywood creation.

I can watch both, just have to be in the right frame of mind for them as they are different. Prefer Tombstone.

[TMB]

'Tombstone' without question. I haven't seen 'Wyatt Earp' and don't have any desire to do so

[Cofisher]

NCG, thanks for mentioning Open Range. I agree, the other characters help keep Costner in check.

However, Costner was excellent in Silverado. A brash young hotshot is more his style.

I loved Costner dropping the bad guy at the beginning of the fight in Open Range. Righteous behavior!

[RanchRoper]

Here's a little article on the gun belt worn by Kurt Russell in Tombstone. Accurate to the period. Worn high on the waist, and loop through holster.
https://sportingclassicsdaily.com/on-th ... p-colt-45/


Here is the Costner belt: same style as other movie and countless TV cowboys...low on the hip and a drop flap for the holster to hang on.

8530b52fc6de8f7df6bd89f66caa29d3.jpg (59.23 KiB) Viewed 2442 times

Don't get me wrong, I watch and enjoy lots and lots of westerns. But I really like the attention to detail when they get the period stuff correct. Tombstone, most Selleck westerns and Appaloosa are accurate. The HBO series Deadwood too.

ps...Dennis Quaid was awesome as Doc. Nice to watch the 2 different versions of the same character in either movie.

Also, the period costumes in Tombstone are a feast for the eyes too. Check out some of the Clanton and McLaury gang; the striped pants with sewn-in saddle seats, the tall plain leather boots with cathedral stitching up the shafts. This stitching was added in the old days because the old cavalry boots has no stitching and after awhile the shafts would collapse and your knee high boot was several inches shorter. Stitching stiffened the shaft. The stirrups on Wyatt's saddle too when he first arrives in Tombstone. Called "doghouse" stirrups because they are shaped like wooden boxes. Very old Texas trail style. The plain linen duster coats are great too. Peter Sherayko had a lot to do with the period gear. He plays Texas Jack.
..ok, don't get me started on cowboy gear again....sorry.

[PT7]

Guess I'll have to keep an eye out for when these are shown on tv. Haven't seen either one...
"Tombstone" sounds interesting.

[markiver54]

Guess I'll have to keep an eye out for when these are shown on tv. Haven't seen either one...
"Tombstone" sounds interesting.

Tombstone is a MUST see Bob. You won't regret it! Also, as NCG said, check out Open Range as well, if you have not already.
Sorry Ed, I would not change a thing about Tombstone!

[BigAl52]

Tombstone is my choice. I havent seen Wyatt Earp in a while. Val Kilmer was robbed of an academy award for his performance as Doc Holiday IMHO.

[markiver54]

Tombstone is my choice. I havent seen Wyatt Earp in a while. Val Kilmer was robbed of an academy award for his performance as Doc Holiday IMHO.

TOTALLY agree Al.

[Vaquero]

I second that motion.

RP

[BrokenolMarine]

Tombstone is a fav, and Kilmer owned the part. I read as much of the trivia as I can find about my favorite movies. A couple interesting tidbits about Kilmer's Holiday. His Southern accent for Holiday is very likely accurate. Holiday was a close cousin of Margaret Mitchell, who penned Gone with the Wind, and it's said that Ashley Wilkes's courtly manners and core character she based on her cousin's good qualities.

To make the sanetarium scene at the end seem more believable, Kilmer wanted to be uncomfortable and out of sorts, so they put a fresh layer of ice in the bed between each take. He filmed each and every take lying on ice cubes. That would do it.

My favorite scene?
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=R8OWNspU_yE

Both these actors turned in oscar worthy performances in this film.

I also agree that Costner was good in Open Range.

* If we talk about Open Range, I have to tip my hat to Michael Jeter. That guy... Let's not forget the little peeps.

Sister Act 2
The Green Mile
Jurasic Park
and so much more...

[Dahliathemeh]

Tombstone all the way! The writers really did their research on the events that took place. I believe Val Kilmer even worked with a coach to get the accent right.
Wyatt Earp although I haven't watched it in a while was more about his early life. It was everything that made him, and more of an insight. They go hand in hand and for me cleared up a lot of things.
It's still Tombstone all the way