GUNFIGHT AT THE OK CORRAL

US, 1957, 122 minutes, Colour.
Burt Lancaster, Kirk Douglas, Rhonda Fleming, Jo Van Fleet, John Ireland, Earl Holliman, Dennis Hopper.
Directed by John Sturges.

The Gunfight at the O.K. Corral is a classic presentation of the fight between Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday and the Clantons. It has been the subject of many films as well as TV documentaries on the authenticity of the legend. Was Wyatt Earp a great hero or was he an exploiting gunman? Were the Clantons as bad as portrayed or victims? This film takes the classic presentation. The teaming of Burt Lancaster and Kirk Douglas was quite effective.

Directed by John Sturges, who had made many Westerns in the 50s including Bad Day at Black Rock, the same theme was taken up by Sturges in his 1967 Western The Hour of the Gun with James Garner, Jason Robards and Robert Ryan. A critical look at The O.K. Corral was presented in Frank Perry's Dock with Stacey Keach and Harris Yulin. The classic presentation of the gun-fight at The O.K. Corral was in John Ford's 1946 My Darling Clementine with Henry Fonda and Victor Mature confronting Walter Brennan and his sons. An important example of the myths of the West.

1. Did the film deserve its reputation as a big classic western? On what is the reputation based? Quality of film, legend?

2. The film as an example of Paramount films of the 50s, colour, locations, the stars, the song and the ballad treatment of a legend?

3. The film-makers' attitudes towards the West? Admiration for the characters,, heritage and traditions? A critical attitude towards the characters and their behaviour? The impact in the 50s, now?

4. The film's focus on Wyatt Earp as hero? What constituted Earp as a hero? The presentation of the ballad about him? The legend? The facts? His contribution to the West? His past as a gunfighter. his changing character, his toughness? His role as a lawman? Personal and family vengeance? His participation in the O.K. Corral? The relationship with Laura and its failure? How admirable a hero?

5. Wyatt Earp and his relationship with the law? His attitudes towards authority, his convictions about law and rights? His acceptance of the role of U.S. Marshal? His attitude towards the law justifying behaviour?

6. The contrast of Earp with Doc Holliday? Holliday as a failed character? his reputation as a doctor and his failure in the career, as a gambler, as a violent killer? The fact that he was mortally ill? His attitude towards deaths and the initial build-up of the first shooting? His fluctuating relationship with Kate? Love-hate? Jealousy of Ringo? His friendship with Earp and dependence on him? His participation in the gunfight because of loyalty to Earp?

7. Earp and Doc Holliday's escape from hanging? The mutual help that they gave each other? The mutual regard? Earp's disregarding people's reactions to his friendship with Doc Holliday?

8. How typical a character of the West was Kate? The bar-type? Fluctuating relationships? Devotion to Doc and jealousy? Taking Ringo on the rebound? Her final vigil with and devotion to Doc?

9. The atmosphere of gamblers, saloons, the Western types in towns etc.? An atmosphere of authenticity?

10. Laura and her role in the film? Her gambling and reputation, her being imprisoned? Earp's dependence on her? Growing love? The possibility of marriage? The effect of his leaving her on himself and Laura?

11. The importance for the film and its themes of the strong family ties within the Earps? The brothers and their families, their roles as law administrators? The friends of the Earps.. for example Charlie?

12. The importance for audience sympathy of Earp administering the law, on his missions of justice, arresting criminals, being helped by Doc?

13. Were the issues of the Earps and the Clantons clearly portrayed? The Clantons and their ranch way of life, cattle and Mexico, their influence in the town, justice and wealth?

14. Was it obvious that there would be a confrontation with the Earps? Who was right, wrong? The mutual violence leading to a showdown?

15. The importance of showing Doc dying prior to the gunfight? Kate's devotion to him? The quiet before the violence?

16. The people who participated in the gunfight? The reasons for their participation? The family backgrounds? The Earp wives and children, Ringo and his involvement and so on?

17. How well staged was the actual gunfight? How violent, exciting? Why did it enter the American heritage of legend?

18. The future of Earp and Doc Holliday? The final use of the ballad?

19. How well did the film explore the themes of the West and the ethos of the West?