Entertainment
‘Tombstone’s Final Quote Gave Us the Most Unforgettable 3 Words in Western Cinema
Westerns had their heyday in the 50s and 60s, but it was the resurgence of the genre in the 90s that delivered some of the best classics. Perhaps one of the most beloved is Tombstone, the 1993 film that was an outlier in many ways. Star Kurt Russell had already set himself apart in Hollywood, but he accomplished even more than meets the eye in the beloved story.
Russell’s creative assistance behind the scenes after the original director, Kevin Jarre, dropped off was instrumental to the film, as was his portrayal of the famous Wyatt Earp. Tombstone depicts his time in the titular town and his foundational relationship with Doc Holliday (Val Kilmer). His saga, as well as his battle with the Cowboys, resulted in the best three words in Western history. At its heart, Tombstone is a love letter to the impressive real-life figure. The narrative concludes with a summation of the rest of Wyatt Earp’s life that is a culmination of the larger-than-life hero viewers had gotten to know. Tombstone proves why he was such a beloved character in the world, which is more or less stated during the voice-over narration of Earp’s funeral. No other words could explain it better than “Tom Mix wept.”
‘Tombstone’ Proved Why Wyatt Earp Had Such an Impressive Legacy
Westerns have a tendency to erase any vulnerability in these real-life heroes, but Tombstone is the antithesis of that. Wyatt Earp shows the whole spectrum of the emotional rainbow, emphasized by the reactions to his death in the final voice-over. Earp was such an iconic lawman of the time that he went on to consult on some of the best Westerns.
He was such a giant in the industry that one of the pallbearers at his funeral was Western actor Tom Mix, who had forged a close personal relationship with Earp. His emotion at his funeral crystallizes why the former lawman is such a personal hero for many. Tombstone covers some of the most tormented parts of his life. His conflict with the Cowboys starts in earnest when they shoot and kill his brother Morgan (Bill Paxton) and attack and maim his other brother, Virgil (Sam Elliott).
Virgil would never again have the use of his arm, and Earp rained down bloody vengeance on the entirety of the gang. One of his most impressive acts was at a famous shootout in a creek where Wyatt walked headlong into gunfire and did not suffer a scratch while killing many Cowboys himself. This is the type of story that would appear to be fictionalized for entertainment purposes, but many primary sources confirm the event happened in real life. This is how a historical figure becomes a legend, and Tombstone honors that legacy in the Kurt Russell film.
Wyatt Earp is arguably the most famous figure in Western history, and Tombstone only covers a fraction of his life. Even though the Western takes place after he is officially retired, it delivers all the moments that make a legend. Wyatt suffers incredible losses while also finding the love of his life, Josephine (Dana Delany), who stays with him until his death. There is no question why Tom Mix cried at his funeral after viewing one of the best Westerns of all time.
- Release Date
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December 25, 1993
- Runtime
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130 minutes
- Director
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George P. Cosmatos
- Writers
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Kevin Jarre
- Producers
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Bob Misiorowski, James Jacks, Sean Daniel
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