Tombstone It tells the unbelievable true story of Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday, two of the most notorious outlaws of the Wild West. The film has been praised for its surprisingly authentic portrayal of their lives, sticking closely to the facts for most of the story. But as with any film based on truth, Tombstone took a few creative liberties to make the story flow more naturally – but it's still a faithful adaptation of the lives of Doc Holliday and Wyatt Earp.
The most effective TombstoneThe ability to present this story in its truest and most accurate form is that it never strays from the story – the truth is as exciting and compelling as any piece of fiction, which is exactly why Earp and Holliday's tales have been adapted for the screen many times over the years. Tombstone full of great characters and iconic figures, and for the most part, their stories play out like they do in real life.
10 Shootout at the OK Corral is Based on an Actual Shootout
The shootout began with Earp Vendetta
Although the events seem exaggerated TombstoneThe shootout at the OK Corral was actually based on a real shootout that took place in Tombstone, Arizona during the early days of Wyatt's life. When The cowboys took issue with the lawmaker's interference in the city's security and politics, they tried to eliminate Earp and his friends by shooting them in the middle of the street.
Wyatt and Doc were in the fight responsible for the deaths of three famous Cowboys: Tom McLaury, Frank McLaury and Billy Clanton. As shown in the film, this forced them into conflict with the gang and set in motion the events that would eventually lead to the death of Wyatt's brother, Morgan Earp.
9 Wyatt Earp Didn't Walk Free After the OK Corral
The Lawgiver Had to Face Some Consequences
But this is one side of the true story Tombstone unable to acknowledge the consequences of the shootingThis led to both Wyatt and Doc being arrested and tried for their crimes. Ike Clanton was actually responsible for bringing the charges, ensuring that Wyatt would face justice for his brother's murder. After a long trial, Wyatt and his friends were cleared of all wrongdoing.
This was missing though Tombstonein fact, it adds a whole new layer to Wyatt's journey, and it would be very interesting to see him on screen. Wyatt barely faces any consequences for his violence in the filmand it might have been an interesting way of making up for his own imprudence. It could also add to his dynamic with Ike, explaining why he was allowed to escape after the train station shootout.
8 Wyatt and Virgil have both accepted the role of Tombstone's Guardians of the Law
The film portrayed their work perfectly
Inciting event Tombstone certainly Wyatt's arrival at the tombstone; where he runs into Doc Holliday again and gets into trouble with the Cowboys for the first time. At least that much is accurate Wyatt really spent a lot of time in Tombstone and was responsible for much of its improvement as a town. He fought against the Cowboys for many years and Tombstone would be a completely different town without him.
Virgil Earp also played a major role in Tombstone's law enforcement. As shown in the film, he is the most active of the Earp brothers in the city police department, fighting all petty crimes in the city. Wyatt and Morgan devoted most of their time to fighting the Cowboys.
7 Wyatt and Virgil didn't hesitate to retire
Wyatt's Reasons for Leaving Retirement Were Not So Noble
in the head TombstoneThe Earp brothers are firmly retired and have no plans to change that anytime soon. But in real life, that wasn't really a problem. Virgil quickly accepted the position of City MarshallAnd Wyatt had no trouble getting back into business and profiting from the city.
Ears were a staple of tombstones for several years, and while work wasn't their main reason for visiting the city, it quickly became their reason to stay.
Wyatt's retirement allows some Tombstone's best quotes and best moments, but that's not how things work in reality. Ears had been a staple of tombstones for several years, and while work was not their main reason for visiting the city, it quickly became their reason for staying.
6 Virgil and Morgan are both ambushed by cowboys
Both Eared Brothers Find Themselves Victims of Cowboy Attacks
After the battle at the OK Corral, The Earp brothers quickly became the Cowboys' most notorious targets. As depicted in the film, the gang vows to bring Wyatt and his brothers to justice for their alleged crimes in one way or another, and it's the ambush on Virgil and Morgan that ultimately leads Wyatt to his doom.
Although it is hard to believe that something so cinematic could happen in real life, these events have been recorded and proven to happen. Virgil and Morgan Earp were both victims of premeditated ambushes of the Cowboys and the latter killed by Florentino Cruz after an iconic gunfight.
5 Virgil and Morgan's Attacks Didn't Happen on the Same Night
The Movie Mixes Up Some Details
However, these organized ambushes did not happen Tombstone describes. Most importantly, they didn't happen overnight; Virgil was first attacked by a band of rogue cowboys, and Morgan's death followed two months later. This is a small but very important detailThe space between Virgil and Morgan's ambushes was filled with political tension between the Earps and the Cowboys.
While not historically accurate, decisions like this all help
Tombstone
Being one of Kurt Russell's best westerns overall.
Thankfully, the decision to put these two events on the same night was actually a smart one. This makes the whole scenario even more tense and fast-moving, while spreading them out would have disrupted the pace and stretched the running time unnecessarily. While not historically accurate, decisions like this all help Tombstone Being one of Kurt Russell's best westerns overall.
4 Curly Bill Really Killed Tombstone Marshall in the Street
The cowboy was responsible for the shocking death
One of the most shocking scenes Tombstone This happens midway through the film, when Curly Bill runs out into the street and kills Marshal Fred White in front of several witnesses. This is a major turning point for the narrative as it establishes Curly Bill as a clear villain and sets up his rivalry with Wyatt Earp in the future. This was the moment Based on the real-life feud between Curly Bill and Marshal Whiteresulted in the latter's death.
This is a crucial point Tombstone's story perfectly encapsulates the breakdown of order in the city. After the chaos of the OK Corral shootout, Tombstone essentially descends into lawlessness, and the power of the Cowboys becomes even more dangerous. By killing the law's highest-ranking officer, Curly Bill demonstrates the power of the gang and raises the stakes tenfold for the Earp brothers.
3 In reality, Marshal Fred White's death was an accident
Crooked Bill Didn't Intend to Kill Marshall
While Curly Bill was definitely responsible for White's death, it didn't happen the way it was portrayed in the movie. In fact, the shooting was a complete accident caused by drunken behavior and feverish gambling. That was it confirmed by Fred White on his deathbedthis explains why Bill did not face such drastic charges for the accident.
While not entirely accurate, Curly Bill's rampage is still one of the most shocking scenes in the film. It's surprising that Kurt Russell declined a directing credit for the film, because moments like these are crafted with such strong artistry and attention to detail that explains why. Tombstone It was a huge success even at the time of release.
2 Doctor Holliday was finally sick with Tuberculosis
Illness Wasn't Too Much For The Movie
Although Doc Holliday has some Tombstone's best one-liners and the funniest jokes, his illness eventually catches up with him and he dies of tuberculosis in the final stages. By the end of the film, he is essentially unable to walk—he falls off his horse, coughs up blood, and struggles to get out of bed. unfortunately This aspect of Dr. Holliday's life was in reality the sameand the real-life figure also died of the disease.
It would be impossible to tell the story of Doc Holliday without focusing on his tuberculosis, as it was such an important part of his life in his final days. Despite the film's attempts to make him a comedic character who laughs off his death, in real life Doc Holliday was permanently crippled by the disease and struggled to keep up his work in his final years.
1 Dr. Holliday Didn't Kill Johnny Ringo
The reality was completely different
At the film's climax, Doc Holliday overcomes his illness to defeat the leader of the Cowboys in single combat, replacing his friend in a duel between Wyatt Earp and Johnny Ringo. While this makes for a brilliant ending to a film that focuses on the friendship between these two men, it is almost entirely fictional and could not have happened in real life. The Details surrounding Ringo's death are unclearbut Holliday could not be held responsible.
There are many theories about the killer's death, but most suspect that it was either suicide or another of Earp's men.
The deputy was reportedly in a jail cell in Colorado when Ringo died. There are many theories about the killer's death, but most suspect it was either suicide or another of Earp's men. thankfully Tombstone He decided to opt for a fuller conclusion to the story, giving Holliday her moment to shine.