Available now on Blu-Ray is a real modern classic, Tombstone. With Kurt Russell and Val Kilmer leading an immense ensemble by giving the best performances of their careers, Tombstone solidified its status as a must-watch western long ago.
Few stories have been filmed more often, and few are as iconic, as that of Wyatt Earp and the O. K. Corral. Tombstone is not only a more epic effort than most, with a wider spectrum of events and characters, but it puts a vastly more serious spin on things, with a solid effort toward realism and historical accuracy. While not a documentary by any stretch, the attention to period detail, and character put this one in a different category than most tellings. Everyone has a grayer hat on, and Wyatt is clearly something other than the supremely heroic figure of legend.
The film stands the test of time amazingly well (even if it hasn't quite been twenty years yet), and watching it again makes it all the more clear that nothing sets this film apart like Kilmer's brilliant Doc Holliday. Better than simply holding up, this is a film that really delivers in HD. From the sets that can hardly be believed in some cases, to the wide open west, the film was put together with just such a viewing experience in mind.
Well worth a revisit with a new release or not, Tombstone is the kind of film that can really sell Blu-Ray. There's also a bit of a treat in catching glimpses of several actors who were relative unknowns at the time, including: John Corbett, Billy Bob Thornton, and Thomas Haden Church.
The all-star ensemble also includes Sam Elliott, Bill Paxton, Dana Delany, Jason Priestley, Michael Biehn, Powers Booth, and Charlton Heston.
The release doesn't include any new special features, but it doesn't really need them. You get a three-part Making Of feature which is divided into: An Ensemble Cast, Making An Authentic Western, and The Gunfight At The O.K. Corral. Each of these feature interview footage with a wide variety of cast members that was taken during filming, and all together it's a pretty comprehensive look at the film.
Of particular interest, I think, is the focus on making the film authentic. The behind-the-scenes look at the effort to getting the details right is the kind of special feature you can sink your teeth into with such a movie. With historians on board, and reenactors and enthusiasts coming on as extras, the level of detail is surprising.
You also get some of the Director's Original Storyboards, and several trailers and TV Spots.
A must-own in any event, you've really got to see this one in HD.
***
Oddly enough, a transcript of an inquest on the O. K. Corral shooting recently turned up, and it doesn't look that great for the Earps.
***
Own it on Blu-Ray today!
Win it!
This one is going to be a Social Media Giveaway. Two entries are possible.
1. Fans (Likers?) of Are You Screening? on Facebook are automatically entered. If you're already a fan, you're done! If not, find the box and "Like" Are You Screening?
2. One more entry is open to you through Twitter. Follow me on Twitter, and Tweet the message - @areyouscreening is giving away Tombstone on Blu-Ray! - and you've got yourself another chance at winning.
U.S. only. Winner will be randomly selected May 20th, and will be notified through either Facebook or Twitter.
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About Marc Eastman
Marc Eastman is the owner and operator of Are You Screening? and has been writing film reviews for over a decade, and several branches of the internet's film review world have seen his name. His reviews have brought him personal praise from the director of a major motion picture, and have been used as required reading in a course at a major University. These priceless rewards, along with just bags of cash, keep him from straying from freelance writing. He is also a member of The Broadcast Film Critics Association and The Broadcast Television Journalists Association.
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