If Western movies are your bag, then look no further. More than 30 years on from its release, this beloved film continues to be hailed by critics and fans alike and has become known as somewhat of a cult classic of the genre.
Tombstone is an American Western film directed by George P. Cosmatos, written by Kevin Jarre (who was also the original director, but was replaced early in production). Released in 1993, the film’s starry cast includes Kurt Russell and Val Kilmer, with Sam Elliott, Bill Paxton, Powers Boothe, Michael Biehn, and Dana Delany in supporting roles, and narration by Robert Mitchum.
The film is loosely based on real-life events that took place in during 1880s south-east Arizona, which included the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral and the Earp Vendetta Ride.
Tombstone was a financial success, and in the Western genre, it ranks number 25 in the list of highest-grossing films since 1979. Critical reception was mostly positive, with the story, directing, and acting, particularly towards Val Kilmer’s memorable performance as the hard-drinking Doc Holliday.
The film’s synopsis reads: “Wyatt Earp and his brothers, Morgan and Virgil, have left 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, the brothers pick up their guns once more to restore order to a lawless land.”
On Rotten Tomatoes, the audience has awarded Tombstone with a near-perfect rating of 93%. However, the critics are slightly lower down at 76%, their consensus states: “If you’re seeking a stylish modern western with a solid story and a well-chosen ensemble cast, Tombstone is your huckleberry.”
Collider included the movie in its listing of the “10 Great Westerns I Knew Would Be Masterpieces After the First 10 Minutes”, and fans are in agreement.
One fan wrote on Rotten Tomatoes: “The best Western ever made in the USA, bar none. Fantastic acting. One of the best screenplays ever composed, with dozens of quotable one-liners that are never clunky or weird. Val Kilmer & Kurt Russell both deliver Oscar-worthy performances. In fact, it is a travesty that this cinematographic masterpiece did not get the wider international distribution that it deserved.”
Another fan expressed that the film was “peak cinema, movie perfection”.
“Tombstone stands out as the best western because it doesn’t waste time trying to reinvent the genre. It just delivers everything you want at full throttle: a tight story, sharp dialogue, and a cast that actually feels dangerous,” added a third.
Tombstone is available to stream on Disney+.