Kurt Russell’s 1993 Western, Tombstone, successfully beat out the Wyatt Earp movie Kevin Costner released a year later for one big reason. Tombstone is largely praised as one of the best Westerns of the 1990s, revitalizing the genre after its release. One of the many films that came after Tombstone’s wave of success was Costner’s Wyatt Earp, which covered the same events of Tombstone with more historical accuracy, as many moments in Tombstone were completely made up. Despite this, Costner’s film was a box office bomb, earning $56 million in comparison to Tombstone’s $73 million.
Though both Tombstone and Wyatt Earp covered the story of the legendary lawman and the iconic battle at the O.K. Corral, many parts of Costner’s film could not compete with Russell’s, causing audiences to favor Tombstone. One big aspect that was criticized about Wyatt Earp was its three-hour runtime, which slowed the pacing in comparison to Tombstone’s action-filled storyline. However, there was one key element that ensured Tombstone’s victory in the box office battle between Russell and Costner’s films that is still praised today: Val Kilmer’s performance as Doc Holliday.
Val Kilmer’s Performance Clinches Tombstone’s Victory Over Kevin Costner’s Wyatt Earp Movie
Kilmer’s Version Of Doc Was More Compelling Than Dennis Quaid’s In Wyatt Earp
Val Kilmer’s smooth and charming performance as Doc Holiday clinched the victory for Tombstone over Dennis Quaid’s depiction of the same character in Costner’s Wyatt Earp. Both portrayals of the sickly yet mighty gunslinger captured both his calm, collected nature and his darker impulses as he helped his friends achieve their deadly vendetta against the Cowboys. Yet, Quaid’s depiction was a bit stiffer and elusive, his mannerisms matching the more traditional Western hero. While still a strong performance, this made Quaid’s version harder to follow and connect to within the narrative.
By contrast, Kilmer’s version of Doc Holiday in Tombstone is much more smooth and charming, with his line delivery resulting in his character being the most quoted from the film. Kilmer’s Holiday is personable and wise, but he is also unpredictable and world-weary, making his darker moments both jarring and almost tragic at times. Kilmer’s scenes alone help make his character great, but Tombstone was truly able to become the cult classic it is today through his connections and moments with other characters, especially Russell’s version of Wyatt Earp.
Val Kilmer’s Interaction With Other Characters Makes Tombstone Truly Great
Kilmer And Russell’s Performances Truly Highlighted The Deep Friendship Between Earp And Holiday
Through his interactions with other characters like Russell’s Earp, Val Kilmer’s performance as Doc Holiday highlighted the lawmen’s powerful friendship, making Tombstone truly great. The banter between Earp and Kilmer’s characters throughout the film is rapid and fun, with many great lines between the two. But it is towards the end of the film as Holiday is dying from tuberculosis that audiences see the true depth of their friendship, with Kilmer’s character begging forgiveness for not being able to help Earp any longer.
Those choices by Kilmer and Russell made Tombstone truly great as it demonstrated exactly why the story of these Western legends stood the test of time.
That vulnerability is both emphasized and contrasted by his icy demeanor towards Johnny Ringo (Michael Biehn) as the two duel, with Holiday having taken Earp’s place. His switch from ruthless and calculated commentary towards Ringo to gentleness and steady determination towards Earp is quick but seamless, showcasing that under the wit and charm was a fiercely loyal friend. Those choices by Kilmer and Russell made Tombstone truly great, as it demonstrated exactly why the story of these Western legends stood the test of time.