Tombstone

Overview

"Once again, Buena Vista has chosen to release a movie-only disc with no bonus material. In the case of Tombstone, the lack of extras is made even more incomprehensible in light of the fact that the laserdisc release of the film featured deleted scenes with director commentary, all of which added depth to the film. With a director's cut that was three hours in length, the decision to leave that footage on the cutting room floor is frustrating. Fans of the film will want to at least rent Tombstone on DVD, however, as the non-anamorphic 2.35:1 widescreen transfer thankfully negates the pan-and-scan of the original tape and restores the film's epic Western feel. The picture and sound quality are even a notch above the Buena Vista releases of the time, and the picture would be even better if not for a little too much shimmering from edge enhancement at times. Regardless of the disc's shortcomings, the shootout at the O.K. Corral is a perfect showroom sequence for the benefits of DVD. While rumors of a special edition remain unconfirmed, hopefully Buena Vista will do the film justice in the future."

Product Details

Release Date:	12/02/1997
UPC:	0717951000064
Original Release:	1993
Rating:	R
Source:	Walt Disney Video
Region Code:	1
Presentation:	[Wide Screen]
Sound:	[Dolby Surround]
Language:	English
Time:	2:10:00
Sales rank:	956

Special Features

French and Spanish tracks; Spanish subtitles; Original theatrical trailers; Chapter search

Editorial Reviews

About two dozen Hollywood regulars -- from character actors on up to superstars, obscured by moustaches which practically consume their entire faces -- got together with director George P. Cosmatos for this vigorous, bloody take on the Wyatt Earp story. Kurt Russell and Val Kilmer make a soulful Earp and Doc Holliday, and the rest of the large ensemble effectively personalizes the body count. The film does a good job driving home just how difficult it was to bring peace to any region of the Old West. Even in "retirement," Earp became embroiled in one fracas after another, though his whole will was directed toward avoiding violence. But even if it makes token gestures toward non-violent idealism, this movie is really about watching a bunch of bad-ass lawmen mop the dusty streets with outlaws. And they do look tough in their matching black suits. There are several sequences of merciless mayhem guaranteed to get the adrenaline pumping, in which Earp himself blows people away at close range. (It's interesting to note the usage of the term "cowboy" in the film: While modern viewers have come to think of it as neutral, describing anyone on horseback with a brimmed hat, Tombstone reminds that it was first ascribed to the lawless miscreants who wore red sashes and shot up innocent bystanders.) Among the cast of thousands, look for an early career appearance by Billy Bob Thornton, as an all-talk bully whom Earp slaps into submission.