The True Story Behind ‘Tombstone,’ Explained

Few real-life figures from the Age of the Old West are adored more than Wyatt Earp. The legendary frontiersman was a criminal’s biggest nightmare, and he is best remembered for the gunfight at the O.K. Corral against the Clanton and McLowry brothers. Apart from maintaining law and order in the regions of Kansas and Arizona, Earp had many other talents. It is reported that at various stages of his life, he served as an itinerant saloonkeeper, a professional gambler, and a security guard, among other occupations.

Over the years, Earp has been the subject of several movies and television shows. Still, with different accounts, myths, and legends about the famous figure, many embellish actual events or create their own. Yet 1993’s Tombstone is the most accurate re-telling of the true story of Wyatt Earp. It is framed around the infamous shootout at O.K. Coral and takes first-hand accounts of what happened around the event.

‘Tombstone’ Covers the Most Famous Moments of Wyatt Earp’s Life

As poignant now as when it came out, Tombstone presents Arizona’s extraordinary natural beauty in counterpoint to the barbarity of its outlaws. It isn’t a straight biopic. We see that Earp (Kurt Russell) is looking to hang up his boots and settle for a life of tranquility, only for bandits to disturb his peace.

Tombstone follows a now-retired Earp and his brothers Virgil and Morgan, who head to the titular town to settle down. They meet Earp’s long-time friend, Doc Holliday (Val Kilmer), who also lives in the town. Soon, the Cowboys arrive and begin terrorizing the city. Events quickly spiral out of control, resulting in a gunfight at the O.K. Corral, in which the notorious Billy Clanton and the McLaury brothers are shot dead.

Quick retaliation follows the shooting. Morgan gets killed, while Virgil gets wounded and is left handicapped. Feeling defeated, Earp and his family leave Tombstone, followed by the gangsters. He deals with the pursuers before forming a new posse that includes Doc. Earp later kills Curly Bill, only for his lackey, Johnny Ringo, to take over as the new head of The Cowboys. Doc’s worsening health seems to have endowed him with unusual resilience. In the end, he manages to kill Ringo by himself. The movie ends with Doc’s uncertain fate as his health declines, and he is sent off to a hospital to live out the last of his days.

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What ‘Tombstone’ Gets Correct About Wyatt Earp

Tombstone — arguably the best Western of the ’90s — owes much of its success to writer Kevin Jarre despite his tumultuous relationship with the production. Jarre was originally the writer and director for the project but was removed after six weeks due to a conflict with the production company, which stated his lack of experience. The film would then be handed off to George P. Cosmatos (Rambo First Blood: Part II, Cobra) and worked off the script by Jarre.

Jarre worked closely with Jeff Morey, a famed historian considered among the most trusted and knowledgeable regarding the Old West, focusing on Wyatt Earp. This resulted in a costume design praised for its accuracy and language, which aligned with the era’s slang. The famous Western quote from Val Kilmer’s Doc Holiday, “You’re a Daisy if You Do,” is plucked from actual newspaper reports.

Jarre, passionate about the era, tried to include as many historical elements in the production as possible to capture the authenticity of the events around the O.K. Corral, much of which carried over after he exited the project. How much this change in direction affected the performances of Kurt Russell and Val Kilmer is challenging to gauge. Both were equally praised for bringing realism to the production. Kilmer, with his authentic struggle with Tuberculosis, while Russel captured the cool calm of the legendary Wyatt Earp; plus, they both chose to rock real mustaches.

The actual story element that Tombstone gets right is the timeline of events leading up to the shootout at O.K. Coral. This includes the accidental shooting of Marshal Fred White by Curly Bill Brocius, the assassination attempt on Virgil Earp, the murder of Morgan Earp, and the infamous ‘vendetta ride.’ Many of these events are embellished for cinematic effect, such as the vendetta ride, exaggerating the number of people killed. The final shootout is also recorded to have lasted 30 seconds, but it lasts 90 seconds in the film. At the same time, other elements, like Doc Holiday killing Ringo, are entirely fictitious.

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Why ‘Tombstone’ Is the Best Wyatt Earp Movie

It’s worth noting that just six months after Tombstone premiered, Wyatt Earp, starring Kevin Costner, was released. This adaptation received mixed reviews and was criticized for its lengthy runtime and lack of focus. The film would underperform at the box office, earning Costner a Razzie nomination. Fans should not confuse the two, as Tombstone remains a seminal classic while Wyatt Earp is more of a side note.

Among films about Wyatt Earp, My Darling Clementine (1946) is the only movie ranked higher by critics. My Darling Clementine is based on Stuart Lake’s biography Wyatt Earp: Frontier Marshal, which historians consider embellished and unreliable. While Tombstone also takes creative liberties, its blend of action, drama, and memorable performances has cemented its status as a beloved Western. Tombstone also comes as close to being accurate as a film can be about such an enigmatic character. Of course, Tombstone also maintains a more modern appeal, making it an easy choice for the best movie about Wyatt Earp.