Tombstone is a brilliant Western starring Kurt Russell as the iconic lawman Wyatt Earp, and the story certainly doesn’t hold back when it comes to depicting the figure’s many kills throughout the years. Tombstone features many great characters and was largely responsible for the huge boost in popularity seen in the Western genre in the ‘90s, bringing a modern twist to this classic style of film through dynamic camerawork, fun performances, and some great action set pieces that just let the kill count rise and rise.
Beyond Tombstone’s iconic quotes and gripping storyline, the film is also renowned for being surprisingly accurate when it comes to recounting this famous story. The lives of Wyatt Earp and Doc Holiday are told with vigor, with the film only making a few adjustments to their legacies to make the film run smoothly – but when it comes to the on-screen deaths, barring the unnamed extras in the opening scene, almost every detail was included fairly. These characters’ stories jump to life on the screen, and the film does a great job of treating every figure’s story with respect.
Doc Holliday
Dies Of Tuberculosis
Throughout Tombstone, Doc Holliday suffers from the effects of his tuberculosis – so much so, that in the final moments before the duel, he even collapses from his horse and struggles to get out of bed. Therefore, it’s no surprise when his illness gets the better of him at the end of the film and he dies as a result. What precedes is a hugely emotional scene between Doc and Wyatt, in which the former begs his friend to live a normal life, free of death and revenge.
Although Val Kilmer wasn’t always going to play Doc, he cements himself as the perfect choice for the role in this moment. The level of emotion and subtlety on display is astounding, and his friendship with Wyatt Earp really makes this scene stand out from the rest. It’s not a surprising or violent death, but it’s definitely Tombstone’s most memorable and best-executed demise.
Johnny Ringo
Shot By Doc Holliday
In Tombstone’s final twist, Doc Holliday turns up to the final duel in Wyatt’s place, killing their shared enemy and ending the war between them and the cowboys. The duel itself is one of Tombstone’s most intense sequences, featuring a classic standoff that finally pays off Holliday’s quick draw that’s been teased throughout the film.
With Ringo dead, Wyatt considers justice served for his brother’s death, and his crusade against the cowboys finally comes to an end.
With Ringo dead, Wyatt considers justice served for his brother’s death, and his crusade against the cowboys finally comes to an end. The fact that Holliday was willing to stand in for his friend in this tense moment, despite his debilitating illness, is a huge testament to the respect between the two lawmen.
Sherman McMasters
Killed By Ringo’s Men Off-Screen
What happens to Sherman McMasters is one of Tombstone’s biggest injustices – he’s the first direct victim of Earp’s quarrel with Johnny Ringo, and he’s slaughtered as a warning to the lawman to cease his war against the cowboys. However, the murder only fuels Earp’s thirst for justice further, and a duel is arranged between the pair to settle their dispute.
McMasters’ death was brutal and unfair, but it’s an important moment in Tombstone that finally pushes Earp to take matters into his own hands with Ringo, who cements himself as the final villain of the story. Without including this vicious act, Wyatt and Doc’s actions in the final act wouldn’t pack the same punch.
Mr. Fabian
Shot By Cowboys Off-Screen
Mr. Fabian only plays a small role in Tombstone, but his character is crucial to understanding the film’s themes of excessive violence and its destruction of innocence. He’s not involved on either side of the fight, but he still finds himself a victim of the war that’s brewing between Earp and the Cowboys. His death proves that while Wyatt’s quest is born from his love for his brother, his excessive violence still causes innocent deaths.
Fabian’s death is one of the more understated moments in the film, and it’s hugely important in reminding the audience that while the cowboys are clearly the villains, the violence of the film isn’t something to be celebrated. It’s a powerful scene that’s absolutely necessary for setting the tone of the final act.
“Curly Bill” Brocius
Shot By Wyatt Earp
Kurt Russell has many cool scenes in Tombstone, but his decision to recklessly kill “Curly Bill” has to be one of the slickest. The moment comes directly after the lengthy montage of the cowboy murders, as Bill and his friends track down Earp to bring an end to his violent outrage. Without thinking twice, the lawman shoots Bill dead and his backup doesn’t last much longer.
He never fires before he absolutely needs to, but his gun is always ready.
This scene is hugely important in the development of Wyatt’s character: earlier in the film, he shows restraint and patience with the cowboys, despite their conflicting ideologies. He never fires before he absolutely needs to, but his gun is always ready. But following Morgan’s death, his quest for justice has become personal and he shows no hesitation when killing those responsible for murdering his brother.