Arriving years after the 80s action boom and on the heels of two Oscar-winning revisionist Westerns, Tombstone kinda feels like a film out of time. Maybe that's why it became a cult classic.
“it’s a cult classic disguised as a blockbuster” is SUCH a great way to describe Tombstone. You nailed it. This one looms large in the watching history of a lot of my peers (and myself). It’s VERY easy to forget that it wasn’t big on release.
As for “My Darling Clementine”… imagine the same story, told from a humane perspective and shot with the eye of the most brilliant stills photographer. The Criterion DVD is at one of the local libraries (Mtn Brook) and is worth a watch.
Man, I am kinda itching to watch My Darling Clementine. I've shamefully only seen a couple of Ford's films and I know that one's near the top for him. A library hold on that Criterion disc might be in my future!
I found your reframing of Tombstone so helpful. It has bugged me since I first saw and loved/groaned at Tombstone when it was released. Thinking of it as an 80’s action movie makes it much easier to comprehend, and, for me at least, to forgive its worst moments e.g when Wyatt and Doc shake hands at a full gallop (groan!!)
Thanks so much, Eli! Yeah, I think it's kinda hard to take Tombstone seriously, which is tricky because it was right on the heels of two serious (and successful) Westerns. But as Sunday afternoon brain candy, it hits the spot.
I really only scratched the surface because I don't know film grammar that well, but you can spot so many 80s action flourishes. Like Kurt Russell's hero shot when he steps off the train and the camera starts at his feet and slowly tracks up to his face. Great stuff.
A friend of mine was actually reading this piece thinking it was The Quick and the Dead and wondering why none of the plot sounded familiar. 😂 That's a great one though! I dig it even more than Tombstone.
I watched it again recently and realised it's Sam Raimi's love letter to the genre. Totally under-appreciated for what it is. Also, can you ever beat Gene Hackman in villain mode?
Incredible cast. When Keith David and Lance Henriksen aren't even billed in the top 5-6 slots and Gary Sinise is a footnote, you've got a hell of an ensemble.
As a huge doc geek I got a big kick out of it; he's basically been recording his own footage for his whole career, like a diary of his life -- was a super-cool watch!
Val Kilmer was just as incredible as I remembered. Definitely agree with the assessment in your post this week. Feels like an 80s action flick mixed with the highly stylized lighting that defined 90s cinematography. Holds up well, but there are a few over-the-top moments that are indicative of its time. And what about that iconic street walk during the closing credits? Epic
Kinda wild that Costner was on top of the world from 1990 to 1992, and then his follow-up Western...couldn't even make its budget back. (I probably need to watch Wyatt Earp one of these days.)
“it’s a cult classic disguised as a blockbuster” is SUCH a great way to describe Tombstone. You nailed it. This one looms large in the watching history of a lot of my peers (and myself). It’s VERY easy to forget that it wasn’t big on release.
As for “My Darling Clementine”… imagine the same story, told from a humane perspective and shot with the eye of the most brilliant stills photographer. The Criterion DVD is at one of the local libraries (Mtn Brook) and is worth a watch.
Man, I am kinda itching to watch My Darling Clementine. I've shamefully only seen a couple of Ford's films and I know that one's near the top for him. A library hold on that Criterion disc might be in my future!
I found your reframing of Tombstone so helpful. It has bugged me since I first saw and loved/groaned at Tombstone when it was released. Thinking of it as an 80’s action movie makes it much easier to comprehend, and, for me at least, to forgive its worst moments e.g when Wyatt and Doc shake hands at a full gallop (groan!!)
Thanks so much, Eli! Yeah, I think it's kinda hard to take Tombstone seriously, which is tricky because it was right on the heels of two serious (and successful) Westerns. But as Sunday afternoon brain candy, it hits the spot.
This was quite informative. I never thought of Tombstone as an 80s action movie but this makes perfect sense.
I really only scratched the surface because I don't know film grammar that well, but you can spot so many 80s action flourishes. Like Kurt Russell's hero shot when he steps off the train and the camera starts at his feet and slowly tracks up to his face. Great stuff.
It's a fun film, a good double-act with Sam Raimi's Quick & The Dead. And one of Val Kilmer's best characters. Thanks for the post!
A friend of mine was actually reading this piece thinking it was The Quick and the Dead and wondering why none of the plot sounded familiar. 😂 That's a great one though! I dig it even more than Tombstone.
I watched it again recently and realised it's Sam Raimi's love letter to the genre. Totally under-appreciated for what it is. Also, can you ever beat Gene Hackman in villain mode?
Incredible cast. When Keith David and Lance Henriksen aren't even billed in the top 5-6 slots and Gary Sinise is a footnote, you've got a hell of an ensemble.
You didn’t mention Bill Paxton ONCE Jk nice article.
Actually, you are right, and I am ashamed. I'll do a whole piece on him one of these days.
Been meaning to watch this one ever since I saw the Val Kilmer documentary from a few years ago!
It's a fun movie all around, but it's an *iconic* performance from Kilmer. I still need to see that doc but I bet he reflects on this movie a bit!
As a huge doc geek I got a big kick out of it; he's basically been recording his own footage for his whole career, like a diary of his life -- was a super-cool watch!
I love that concept. If I had a life as cool as Val Kilmer's, I'd probably record myself too. 😆
Incredible coincidence: I JUST rewatched this movie two days ago. Hadn’t seen it in probably close to 20 years
Heck yeah! How'd it play for you this time around?
Val Kilmer was just as incredible as I remembered. Definitely agree with the assessment in your post this week. Feels like an 80s action flick mixed with the highly stylized lighting that defined 90s cinematography. Holds up well, but there are a few over-the-top moments that are indicative of its time. And what about that iconic street walk during the closing credits? Epic
It's over the top for sure, but yeah, I think they mostly aced the assignment they gave themselves. A Sunday afternoon cable classic!
Kinda wild that Costner was on top of the world from 1990 to 1992, and then his follow-up Western...couldn't even make its budget back. (I probably need to watch Wyatt Earp one of these days.)
I've always heard that it *feels* like a 3+ hour movie. One reason I haven't pressed play yet.
I'll watch Horizon one of these days. 😅 Maybe once the others are released.