Tombstone vs. Wyatt Earp I
Tombstone vs. Wyatt Earp: A Comparison of Actors
Two movies were released a mere six months apart in the 1990s about the same real-life figure, a figure many legends grew up around, then and since. That figure is none other than Wyatt Earp, mostly famous for being a lawman. The makers of Tombstone, the first, chose to focus the story on Earp's time in and around the titular historic mining camp turned town. The creators of Wyatt Earp made a film encompassing a larger span of his life, centered around the crucial events in Tombstone but included other things of importance such as the marriage to his first wife, Urilla, her untimely passing, and his time in Wichita and Dodge City, Kansas. While Tombstone is the superior film (it has an entry in both SEVENSES: Westerns and SEVENSES: Biopics), that is not to say that Wyatt Earp has nothing to offer. Both are well cast with an ensemble of players, and that is the subject today. The goal is not to negatively criticize but merely to compare what the actors bring to their parts. There will be three categories in three posts: 1) Prominent figure in both films which both actors are notable, 2) Prominent figure in both films, but only one of the actors is notable, and 3) Notable actor in a role exclusive to one of the films. The most detailed focus will be on this first category, Also, I will note up to three other roles I liked the actors in or at least respect them for when not as familiar.
- Tombstone, 1993, 130 mins (Director's Cut: 134 mins), Directed by George P. Cosmatos, Written by Kevin Jarre, Music by Bruce Broughton
- Wyatt Earp, 1994, 190 mins, Directed by Lawrence Kasdan, Written by Dan Gordon and Lawrence Kasdan, Music by James Newton Howard
Part I: Prominent Figure (Both Films, Both Actors)
Wyatt Earp: Kurt Russell vs. Kevin Costner
Kurt Russell brings his typical calm demeanor to Wyatt, the kind it always seems like a storm is brewing just beneath the surface, and of course, at appropriate times, that storm is seen, heard and felt. Kevin Costner emits similar energy in the sense that he also has a quietness that surrounds him, though, outwardly, I find him to be more even emotionally overall. Being the central figure of their respective films, it is important that they both excel in the role. Russell is also known for portraying the eponymous character of Disney's Dexter Riley trilogy, voicing Copper in The Fox and the Hound, and playing Col. Jack O'Neil in Stargate. Costner has played Lieutenant Dunbar in Dances with Wolves (which he also directed), Robin of Loxley in the 1991's Robin Hood, and Jonathan Kent in all three films of Zack Snyder's DCEU.
Doc Holliday: Val Kilmer vs. Dennis Quaid
Val Kilmer fully immerses himself in the role of John "Doc" Holliday, the dentist-turned-gambler/gunfighter. His Southern aristocratic accent, his air of intelligence, and his exhibition of the ups and downs of the figure's tuberculosis merge into an excellent portrayal. It could be argued that he is just as important as Earp to the story. Dennis Quaid uses a more common Southern accent and brings a dripping sarcasm and meanness that is true to historical reports of Holliday's nature. If this were a situation to declare a winner, this would be the toughest choice, and I cannot compliment either actor any better. Kilmer is known for both Top Gun films in the part of Tom "Iceman" Kazansky, Batman/Bruce Wayne in Batman Forever, and voicing Moses and God in Dreamworks' The Prince of Egypt. Quaid's credits include the unenviable one of Mike Brody in Jaws 3-D, Tom Hamilton in Soul Surfer, and Arthur (Millard) in I Can Only Imagine, a role he is set to reprise in the sequel.
Virgil Earp: Sam Elliott vs. Michael Madsen
Sam Elliott's Virgil Earp is much the moral compass of the brothers. His delivery of those principled statements in his trademark gravelly voice generally matches Russell's Wyatt, selling the illusion of the sibling relationship. In a single syllable, Virgil's true feelings for Doc are fully revealed. Michael Madsen did not have to play proverbial double-duty, since Wyatt Earp accurately had James Earp present, as well. Madsen's Virgil is very matter of fact, cool-headed and willing to seek advice from Wyatt, as the focal figure of the film. Madsen was close in age to the real Virgil at the time of the gunfight while Elliott was ten years older than Virgil when Tombstone was filmed. Sam Elliott has a large volume of work that I simply do not know well, but it is worth mentioning he played General Thaddeus Ross in the pre-MCU Hulk. Madsen also has a large, well-known body of work, so it might seem like an odd choice to highlight two voice roles, but they are indeed two film favorites of mine. He portrayed Maugrim in The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe and Kilowog in the animated Green Lantern: First Flight.
Morgan Earp: Bill Paxton vs. Linden Ashby
Since it might be perceived as a bad performance, it is perhaps more of a challenge to portray someone as naive. Bill Paxton captures the young Morgan Earp very well, notably his excitability by the sights as they roll through Tombstone and being caught in the conflict of not wanting to let either brother down when Wyatt and Virgil have differing opinions as to what they "owe" the townspeople. Linden Ashby gives Morgan a youthful brashness and is also more somber overall. Paxton is known for a brief but memorable role in The Terminator as the leader of the punks the T-800 encounters upon arrival in 1984, Bill Harding in Twister, and Brock Lovett in Titanic. Ashby is best known for portraying Johnny Cage in 1995's Mortal Kombat and also played Chase in Resident Evil: Extinction.
Sheriff Johnny Behan: Jon Tenney vs. Mark Harmon
Neither film particularly excels at presenting the underlying political machination that was behind the conflict. It may be more the dialog itself, but this is subtle through the delivery by both Jon Tenney and Mark Harmon. Since Behan was dating Josephine during the events in Tombstone, both actors in character show animosity towards Wyatt well. The only media I know Tenney from is Green Lantern, in which he portrayed Martin Jordan. Harmon's credit, the one I know best, is also a DC film, the animated Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths, in which he voiced Superman/Clark Kent.
Ike Clanton: Stephen Lang vs. Jeff Fahey
Stephen Lang's interpretation of Ike Clanton has him bold and brazen when other Cowboys are around and an idiot regardless. Jeff Fahey, like many of the depictions in Wyatt Earp, is more serious and even more antagonizing than Lang's take. I am not overly familiar with Lang's other roles, but he was in both Gettysburg and Gods and Generals as different figures. Fahey is best known to me as Frank Lapidus from the series Lost.
Frank McLaury: Robert John Burke vs. Rex Linn
Frank, the elder of the McLaury brothers involved in the gunfight, was also the last shot to death. In his final moments, Robert John Burke's version of the character believes he has Doc, eliciting one of Kilmer's most quotable lines, "You're a daisy if you do." Linn plays Frank no less the fighter to the end. Burke is known for the unenviable task of taking over the titular role from Peter Weller in RoboCop 3. Linn is best known for his role as Sgt. Frank Tripp on CSI: Miami.
Next week...Tombstone vs. Wyatt Earp, Part II!
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