TOMBSTONE (DVD, 2002)
Excellent rendition of this old west classic of the events leading up to this fateful 3:00PM meeting on
Wednesday, October 26, 1881. The principle parties were the Earp brothers, Wyatt, Virgil, and Morgan, with Wyatt's long time friend Doc Holliday. Their opponents were the Clantons and the McLaurys, local highwaymen and known rustlers. They were associated with a gang of outlaws loosely known as the Cowboys. They all but controlled practically all crime in and around Tombstone with the help and protection of a corrupt county sheriff named John Behan. In late 1879, the Earp brothers moved to Tombstone with the idea of opening a business to make a lot of money. Ideas included a saloon, gambling house, silver mine, rooming house, whorehouse, or stage line. Having achieved fame as a lawman, Wyatt was immediately offered the job as deputy sheriff, but emphatically refused it. Eventually, through constant contact with people like Curly Bill Brocius, Johnny Ringo, Ike and Billy Clanton, and as many as forty other members of the Cowboys, along with Wyatt's former noteriety as the man who had successfully "cleaned up" Dodge City, Kansas, pushed both sides close to a violent confrontation several times. Following the murder of Town Marshall Fred White in October, 1880, Wyatt intervened and arrested Curly Bill Brocius for his murder. Since nobody would come forward as actually witnessing the murder, Brocius was acquitted. As crime spiraled out of control, Virgil and Morgan became co-sheriffs of Tombstone. At this time, there were fifteen gambling houses and about 110 saloons in Tombstone. Backing his brothers, Wyatt also reluctantly put on a badge. Sensing that there was no other way to curtail the violence, a complete ban on the carrying of all handguns within the city limits was initiated. This slowed the violence greatly, but also prompted clashes with several of the Cowboys. After repeated violations of the gun ban and constant threats to the lives of the Earps, the famous gunfight at the O.K. Corral resulted. Both Morgan and Virgil Earp, and Doc Holliday were wounded in the battle. Tom and Frank McLaury, and Billy Clanton were killed. John Behan, County Sheriff, arrested the Earps and Holliday and charged them with murder. After a thirty day trial they were acquitted. The violence continued, and on Dec. 28,1881, Virgil Earp was wounded from ambush, and lost the use of his left arm. Morgan Earp was also killed from ambush on March 18, 1882. Frank Stilwell, Johnny Behan's deputy, was seen fleeing the area. He was found dead three days later. Shortly afterwards, Wyatt Earp began his famous "Revenge Ride" to rid the Territory of outlaws. This was a most enjoyable movie, and perhaps the best cowboy movie in quite some time. Actors Kurt Russell, as Wyatt Earp, and Val Kilmer, as Doc Holliday were both very good. I especially enjoyed Kilmer's acting. I have never liked his style, but he did a great job in this part. The side story of the private lives of the Earps and their family lives was also included in this story. Wyatt's commonlaw wife, Matty Blalock, became addicted to opium in Laudnum. Her addiction drove him away and he fell in love and married a woman named Josephine who remained his wife until his death in 1929.Read full review
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