WYATT EARP
US, 1994, 191 minutes, Colour.
Kevin Costner, Dennis Quaid, Gene Hackman, David Andrews, Linden Ashby, Jeff Fahey, Joanna Going, Mark Harmon, Michael Madsen, Catherine O 'Hara, Bill Pullman, Isabella Rossellini, Tom Sizemore, Jo Beth Williams, Mare Winningham, Adam Baldwin, Annabeth Gish, Lewis Smith, Betty Buckley, Alison Elliott, Mackenzie Astin, Jim Caviezel, Tea Leoni, Martin Kove.
Directed by Lawrence Kasdan.
When it was first released in 1994, this rather epic telling of the story of Wyatt Earp was not popular nor reviewed favourably. It was compared, to its disadvantage with the release of Tombstone with Kurt Russell and Val Kilmer.
Wyatt Earp died in 1929 and was an advisor to the silent movie makers (perhaps contributing to his own legend and that of the OK Corral). He has certainly made many appearances on screen in the form of Henry Fonda, Burt Lancaster, James Garner, Hugh O’ Brien on television. Now Kevin Costner makes him seem – well, Kevin Costner.
This is a three-hour version, trying to detail his life and career (including his tragic marriage and hardening into a lawman). There is action, including the gunfight. However, the film has the tone of the romance, of an elegy – which makes it seem very ponderous at times, with Costner often stolid.
There is much to interest, a very fine cast, and much to enjoy, always the question of law and order, of the gun and of violence. An interpretation of an icon of American history and legend.
1. The film as a classic telling of Wyatt Earp’s story? Not so well received in its day? Comparisons with Tombstone at the same time?
2. The strong credits, the director, the extensive cast?
3. The locations, for Wyatt’s early life, the West, Arkansas, Kansas, Arizona? The railways? The open plains of the buffalo? The towns, life in the towns, the saloons? Law and Order? Alaska? The musical score?
4. The early life, home, Wyatt as a teenager, the Civil War and his brothers going, returning? His father’s strong presence? His wanting to enlist, his father bringing him home? The end of the war, the brothers, the family moving to California, Wyatt and his reaction, the violence, being sick?
5. The West, the wagons, the fights, the bullies, trophies?
6. Wyatt and Urilla, courting her, the memories of the past, the romantic atmosphere? The families, the wedding, the house? Wyatt and his studies? Joining the police, upholding the law? Urilla, pregnant, her illness, the death? Wyatt and his depression, burning down the house, indulging in self-pity, drinking, drifting, the scene of his begging, stealing the horse, in prison, his father coming to get him, bailing him out, having to leave Arkansas?
7. Working with the buffalo, the skins, on the open plains, Bat and Ed Masterson, meeting them, the discussions, the comment on names, the going to work with him, the passing of time, the hides, bringing them to town?
8. Wyatt, becoming deputy in Wichita, his work, upholding the law? Life in the town? The move to Dodge City, salary, the cash from bounties? His strong reputation, his getting tougher? The shootouts, Josie witnessing this? His encounter with Maddie, her work in the town, the saloon? Her attachment to Wyatt? His not committing himself to her? The town, unrest, the Mastersons as deputies? Wyatt considering Ed too affable, Ed and his work, confrontation, his death? Wyatt going to the railway companies, searching outlaws?
9. His meeting Doc Holiday? The report? Doc Holiday coming to Dodge city, settling? Big-nose Kate, love and antagonism? The brothers and their views?
10. The argument with the wives about going to Tombstone, the mining? The Cowboy gang? Josie and her relationship to the sheriff? Her being drawn to Wyatt, Maddie, her being upset, tantrums? The portrait of the brothers, the bonding between the more, their wives? The criticism about moving?
11. John Beehan, as sheriff, contact with the Cowboys? Josie with him, her moving to Wyatt, the consequences?
12. The Cowboys, killing the Marshall, virtual and his stands, characters? Clanton and his leadership? Trouble in the town, the buildup to the OK Corral, the drama of the confrontation, the details of the shootout, the consequences? Beehan and his arrests?
13. The vendetta, Virgil injured, Morgan’s death, the response of the wives? The Earps and vengeance with enemies’ deaths over the years.
14. Doc Holiday, dentist, drinking, support of Wyatt, at the OK Corral? Subsequently? His wanting to go to the sanatorium, Wyatt taking him?
15. Alaska, the boat, the boy in admiration of Wyatt, asking him questions, the Legends?
16. The final information, Wyatt and Josie, settling in Los Angeles, Hollywood? Wyatt’s death in 1929, his life spanning the decades in the late 19th century and the early decades of the 20th?
