Summary
- Kurt Russell’s leadership on Tombstone was crucial to its success and strengthened the legacy of this classic ’90s western film.
- The special gifts exchanged between Russell and Kilmer reflect the close friendship between Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday in Tombstone.
- Val Kilmer’s portrayal of Doc Holliday was notable for his commitment and embodiment of the character.
Kurt Russell was not only a driving force behind Gravestone was a success, but he was also very supportive of his co-stars, including Val Kilmer, who received a fitting gift after filming was completed. The 1993 Western was not a big box office success, but over 30 years later, the film is now considered a classic. The true story of Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday was not an original film idea, but GravestoneThe remarkable cast dramatically changed the film’s lasting legacy.
Russell played Wyatt Earp alongside Kilmer as gunslinger Doc Holliday. Although Kilmer’s performance as Doc was a highlight Gravestonethe film might never have been released without Russell. After the original director was fired GravestoneRussell worked closely with George P. Cosmatos to get the project back on track. In fact, Russell essentially served as director on GravestoneAlthough filming in Arizona was very demanding for the cast and crew, it was ultimately worth it and Russell was aware of how hard everyone worked on the film.
Related
10 Actors You Forgot Were in Tombstone
Tombstone is known for its strong ensemble cast, but the number of big-name movie stars in supporting roles in this western is larger than you might think!
Kurt Russell gave Val Kilmer a burial place after filming Tombstone
Kilmer gave Russell something equally special
In the years since then Gravestone was released, many cast members praised Kurt Russell for steering the film in the right direction, but the praise went both ways. In an interview with GQRussell talked about his most memorable roles, including his time as Wyatt Earp. He also shared his admiration for Val Kilmer and revealed that he gave his co-star a burial plot in Boothill Cemetery. Even funnier was that Kilmer gave Russell an acre of land overlooking Boothill, something he did before receiving Russell’s Gravestone Gift.
The gifts he and Russell share are even more perfect when you look back at the relationship between Wyatt and Doc
Boothill is of course the famous cemetery in Gravestonebut it is also a real cemetery. It is unclear if Kilmer intends to use his burial site in Arizona, but the gifts he and Russell shared are even more perfect when you look back at the relationship between Wyatt and Doc. The two were very close friends, but a memory of Russell: “Doc Holiday is all about death,” while Wyatt embraced life. The gifts not only embodied the Gravestone characters, but also proved how well Russell and Kilmer understood the characters.
Related
The 10 best films about Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday
Few other legendary lawmen and gunslingers from the Wild West have appeared in more feature films than Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday.
The behind-the-scenes details of Tombstone are getting better and better
Val Kilmer really knew how to slip into a role
The gifts of Kurt Russell and Val Kilmer may be great, but they are not the only remarkable behind-the-scenes details that came to light Gravestone. As mentioned, Tombstone was shot on location in Arizona, meaning the weather conditions were a real challenge. Since the film was trying to use authentic costumes for the 1918 setting, filming in the heat was difficult, but it helped explain why Doc Holliday sweated so much Gravestone beyond the character’s illness.
Val Kilmer, in particular, has really embraced his role as Doc. Apart from the fact that Kilmer learned to play the piano for GravestoneIn the bar scene of , the actor paid tribute to Doc Holliday’s best one-liners by calling his autobiography “I’m Your Huckleberry.” If Kilmer hadn’t embraced Doc’s eccentric behavior, the film might not be the cult classic it is today. With Russell’s hand in Doc’s storyline, it’s safe to say that both men were instrumental in making Gravestone one of the most popular westerns in history.
Source: GQ
Gravestone
Tombstone is a western film loosely based on true events. When a band of outlaws known as the Cowboys invade a town and kill several police officers to avenge the deaths of two of their gang members, news of their misdeeds reaches a retired lawman. The new vigilantes rally to defend the town and put an end to the Cowboys’ terror.
- director
- George P. Cosmatos, Kevin Jarre
- Release date
- 25 December 1993
- Authors
- Kevin Jarre
- Pour
- Bill Paxton, Charlton Heston, Sam Elliott, Powers Boothe, Val Kilmer, Kurt Russell, Michael Biehn, Jason Priestley
- Duration
- 130 minutes
