# Tombstone

> 1993 film by George P. Cosmatos

**Wikidata**: [Q1420651](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1420651)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tombstone_(film))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/tombstone

## Summary
Tombstone is a 1993 American Western film directed by George P. Cosmatos, depicting the events leading up to the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral in Tombstone, Arizona. The film stars Kurt Russell as Wyatt Earp and Val Kilmer as Doc Holliday, and was released by Hollywood Pictures.

## Key Facts
- Release date: December 24, 1993 (limited), February 17, 1994 (wide)
- Director: George P. Cosmatos
- Production companies: Cinergi Pictures, Hollywood Pictures
- Country of origin: United States
- Genre: Western, drama, biographical film
- IMDb ID: tt0108358
- Rotten Tomatoes rating: 73%
- Metacritic score: 50/100
- Budget: $25,000,000
- Box office gross: $73,200,000 (domestic), $56,505,065 (international)
- Runtime: 130 minutes
- Wikipedia sitelink count: 39

## FAQs
**Who directed Tombstone and who are the main actors?**
Tombstone was directed by George P. Cosmatos, with Kurt Russell starring as Wyatt Earp and Val Kilmer as Doc Holliday. The film also features Sam Elliott, Bill Paxton, Powers Boothe, Michael Biehn, and Dana Delany in supporting roles.

**What is the historical basis for Tombstone?**
The film dramatizes the events surrounding the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral in 1881 Tombstone, Arizona, focusing on Wyatt Earp's efforts to bring law and order to the frontier town while dealing with the Cochise County Cowboys outlaw gang. It portrays the legendary friendship between Earp and Doc Holliday.

**How was Tombstone received by critics and audiences?**
Tombstone received mixed reviews from critics, with a 73% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a Metacritic score of 50/100. However, it has since become a cult classic and is particularly praised for Val Kilmer's performance as Doc Holliday, with many considering it one of the best Western films of the 1990s.

## Why It Matters
Tombstone matters as a significant entry in the Western film genre that helped revitalize interest in historical frontier narratives during the 1990s. The film's portrayal of the legendary Gunfight at the O.K. Corral and its focus on the complex relationship between Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday has made it a cultural touchstone for Western enthusiasts. Its success demonstrated continued audience appetite for traditional Western themes while incorporating modern filmmaking techniques and character development. The movie's enduring popularity has led to its frequent television broadcasts and home video releases, cementing its status as a modern classic of the genre.

## Notable For
- Val Kilmer's acclaimed performance as Doc Holliday, widely considered one of the best portrayals of the historical figure
- Helping to revive the Western genre in the 1990s alongside films like Unforgiven
- Its detailed historical recreation of 1880s Tombstone, Arizona
- The film's memorable quotes and scenes that have become part of popular culture
- Being one of the last major traditional Westerns produced by a major Hollywood studio before the genre's decline in mainstream cinema

## Body

### Production and Release
Tombstone was produced by Cinergi Pictures and released through Hollywood Pictures, a division of Walt Disney Studios. The film had a production budget of $25 million and was shot primarily in Arizona, with additional filming in New Mexico and California to recreate the 1880s frontier town. It premiered in limited release on December 24, 1993, before expanding to wide release on February 17, 1994.

### Creative Team
The film was directed by George P. Cosmatos, known for his work on Rambo: First Blood Part II and Cobra. The screenplay was written by Kevin Jarre, who was originally set to direct but was replaced by Cosmatos during production. Kurt Russell, who also served as an uncredited co-director, took over many directorial duties during filming.

### Cast and Characters
The principal cast includes Kurt Russell as Wyatt Earp, Val Kilmer as Doc Holliday, Sam Elliott as Virgil Earp, Bill Paxton as Morgan Earp, Powers Boothe as Curly Bill Brocius, Michael Biehn as Johnny Ringo, and Dana Delany as Josephine Marcus. The ensemble cast also features Charlton Heston, Jason Priestley, and Billy Zane in supporting roles.

### Historical Context
The film depicts the events of 1881 in Tombstone, Arizona, focusing on the conflict between the Earp brothers and the Cochise County Cowboys, a loose federation of outlaw cowboys. The narrative builds toward the famous Gunfight at the O.K. Corral on October 26, 1881, and its aftermath, including the Earp Vendetta Ride.

### Genre Classification
Tombstone falls within multiple genre classifications, including Western film, drama film, and biographical film. As a Western, it adheres to many traditional genre conventions while incorporating elements of historical biography in its portrayal of real-life figures Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday.

### Distribution and Reception
The film was distributed by Buena Vista Pictures domestically and achieved box office success with a worldwide gross of over $130 million against its $25 million budget. While critical reception was mixed upon release, the film has gained significant appreciation over time and is now considered a classic of the Western genre.

### Cultural Impact
Tombstone has become particularly notable for Val Kilmer's portrayal of Doc Holliday, with many of his lines and mannerisms becoming iconic in popular culture. The film's depiction of the Western frontier and its characters has influenced subsequent Western productions and remains a reference point for the genre.

### Technical Specifications
The film has a runtime of 130 minutes and was shot in color using traditional film stock. It features period-accurate costumes, set design, and weaponry to authentically recreate the late 19th-century American West. The cinematography emphasizes the stark beauty of the Arizona landscape while maintaining historical accuracy in its depiction of frontier life.

### Related Entities
As a production of Cinergi Pictures and Hollywood Pictures, Tombstone is connected to the broader ecosystem of 1990s American film production. Hollywood Pictures, as a division of Walt Disney Company, represented Disney's attempt to enter more adult-oriented filmmaking during this period. The film's success contributed to the ongoing viability of the Western genre in mainstream Hollywood production.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108358/)
2. [Source](http://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Tombstone)
3. [Source](http://www.filmaffinity.com/en/film783331.html)
4. [Source](http://www.allocine.fr/film/fichefilm_gen_cfilm=9352.html)
5. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108358/fullcredits)
6. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
7. The Movie Database
8. Tombstone. Rotten Tomatoes
9. [IMDb](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108358/releaseinfo)
10. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
11. [IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108358/parentalguide)
12. [Tombstone. Box Office Mojo](https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0108358/)
13. Kinopoisk
14. terjesztesre_kerulo_filmalkotasok_nyilvantartasa.xlsx
15. List of film licenses issued from 1945 to 2020
16. [Source](https://www.cnc.fr/professionnels/visas-et-classification/85044)
17. Cineplex
18. [Source](http://cnc.abt.ro/registru/index.aspx?pageID=3&filmID=13981)
19. Bechdel Test Movie List
20. mymovies.it
21. [Source](https://ui.eidr.org/view/content?id=10.5240/0E76-D3BB-A50A-1813-4C79-5)
22. Danish Film Database
23. [Source](https://www.acmi.net.au/works/88766)
24. TheTVDB
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26. FilmVandaag.nl