Tombstone, AZ is known as the “Town Too Tough to Die”. It comes by the moniker honestly. Tombstone represents one of the last true vestiges to that mythical era known as the Wild West. Thirty years ago, the “Town Too Tough To Die” received a makeover. In the process, it made the American Western cool again. Released in December 1993, the film Tombstone injected life into a genre that had seen better days. Once the country’s top cinematic draw, it had been some time since the Western reigned supreme at the box office. We still knew a good one when we saw one though, and Tombstone reminded moviegoers how much fun the Western is when it’s done right.  

Directed by George P. Cosmatos, Tombstone stars Kurt Russell, Michael Biehn, Dana Delany, and Val Kilmer. The storyline centers on the real-life exploits of famed frontier peacekeeper Wyatt Earp (Russell) during his tumultuous time in Arizona. It commences as Wyatt, along with his brothers Virgil (Sam Elliott) and Morgan (Bill Paxton), arrive in the mining boomtown of Tombstone in 1879 to pursue their fortune via the gambling trade. 

The Earps are soon joined in town by their ailing friend Doc Holliday (Kilmer), a former dentist turned gambler and gunfighter. When the brothers and Holliday run afoul of the local outlaws known as “The Cowboys,” confrontation is inevitable. The two factions eventually have a showdown behind a livery stable called the O.K. Corral.  

Tombstone made money at the box office and for a brief period, it resurrected the Western. The trend did not last but the movie has continued to enjoy steady support. The most recent Rotten Tomatoes rating gives the film an audience score of 94%. In the 30 years since its release, Tombstone has gone from a cult classic to a classic Western— here are some of the reasons why. 

Wyatt and Doc

The revered duo has never been as much fun as they are in Tombstone. In the hands of Russell and Kilmer, Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday are both dynamic and deadly. Russell convincingly captures the brutal nature of Earp (and his mustache). The actor was determined to depict the man behind the legend, flaws and all. It is also rumored that he served as the film’s de facto director. When the movie’s original director had to be replaced, it was Russell who stepped in to keep the project afloat. In the words of co-star Sam Elliott, “Kurt was right there on top of it. He was orchestrating a lot of it. He held it together.”    

Regarding Val Kilmer, Doc Holliday may be his career-defining role. Movie critic Erik Childress calls his performance “legendary and a likely reason this film is more fondly remembered.” Though the effects of tuberculosis are ever present, Kilmer plays the notorious gunfighter with devastating charisma. His debonair charm is so engaging, the viewer occasionally forgets Doc is a cold-blooded killer. For history buffs and movie buffs, Val Kilmer embodies everything fans imagine and hope Doc Holliday was.    

Awesome Supporting Cast

A good film needs to have a well-rounded ensemble. The casting in Tombstone is brilliant because it uses a mix of seasoned Western actors and genre greenhorns. For example, Russell was a child star turned romantic leading man. Michael Biehn, who plays outlaw Johnny Ringo, was the hero of the first Terminator picture and a sci-fi staple. Val Kilmer was best known for teen comedies, Top Gun, and playing Jim Morrison before he accepted the role of Doc.    

Conversely, Elliott had various cowboy roles in both film and television before portraying Virgil in Tombstone. Actor Buck Taylor was another veteran of the trade, including his eight-year stint on Gunsmoke. Harry Carey Jr. had appeared in more than 50 westerns before being cast as Marshal Fred White. It was a risky strategy, but it paid off. The vibrant screen pairings keep the scenes raw and unpredictable. 

Cool Cameos  

Charlton Heston and Billy Bob Thornton—both Academy Award winners—play small but pivotal parts in Tombstone. Television stars Jason Priestley, Terry O’Quinn, Michael Rooker, and John Corbett each contribute convincingly to the period milieu. Oscar nominee Thomas Haden Church portrays one of those slain in the illustrious gunfight. Western icon Robert Mitchum even serves as the film’s narrator. From stars to bit players, it seems each part is perfectly cast. 

The Screenplay

Kevin Jarre wrote the script that brings an unmistakable feel to Tombstone. The dialogue is reminiscent of a top-notch noir in that the witty banter and snide remarks unfurl themselves in rapid succession. It is certainly not full of the usual tedious interactions that so commonly bog down Westerns. There are even a few classic lines fans always remember. These include Wyatt’s frenzied warning to the Cowboys: “You tell ’em I’m coming! And hell’s coming with me!” Doc Holliday’s memorable lines are far too abundant to list. 

Streamlined Style 

Six months after Tombstone hit theaters, the film Wyatt Earp made its debut featuring Kevin Costner, one of the biggest stars in Hollywood at the time. Even so, the picture was poorly received compared to Tombstone. A primary reason why is because Costner’s film is essentially a full bio of Earp, starting with his boyhood. Consequently, Wyatt Earp is more of a plodding character study whereas Tombstone hits the highlights. Evidently, fans agree. Tombstone’s Rotten Tomatoes viewer rating is currently 33 percent higher than Wyatt Earp’s.   

“The Town Too Tough to Die” was a place where justice was the law of the land, even if one had to go outside the law to get it. Tombstone has been the subject of numerous interpretations through the years. This movie is not a documentary and doesn’t pretend to be;Tombstone is a fictitious account of actual events. However, one element that the film executes exceptionally well is that it sticks to the parts of the story that viewers care about. Tombstone is the ultimate historical fiction highlight reel. This is why the film ultimately succeeds— and why we still love it today.