Tombstone is widely considered one of the best Westerns of the 1990s, with its inspired storytelling and innovative filmmaking helping it create a strong legacy for itself that breaks free from the genre’s many restrictions. The film was released at a time when the popularity of Westerns was steadily declining.but Tombstone managed to bring audiences back to the genre side with a moving true story about friendship, violence and revenge.
A lot of TombstoneThe narrative follows the infamous Doc Holliday, a renowned lawman who helped his friend Wyatt Earp during the well-known cleanup of the Cowboy gang in the Old West. The film follows the duo as they seek revenge for Earp’s brother and protect the citizens of Tombstone, Arizona from lawlessness on their doorstep. Val Kilmer’s portrayal of Doc Holliday is the best part of the film, and there are several details that connect him to the real-life lawman he is based on.
‘Lunger’ is a reference to Doc Holliday with tuberculosis in Tombstone
The character has a terminal illness on the tombstone
All over TombstoneHolliday is referred to as “lunger” by other residents of the town, which is intended to be a reference to his debilitating illness. The character’s tuberculosis plays an important role in the story, as he is often seen coughing and thrashing, which makes him appear weak in the eyes of his enemies and friends. He is a perfect example of a character with strong values and ideologies but without the physical strength to apply them, which is part of the tragedy of the figure.
Holliday’s disease comes into play again in Tombstone ending, by overcoming his physical weakness to take Earp’s place in the duel against Johnny Ringo. This speaks volumes about Holliday’s character and conveys the film’s central message of persistence in the face of adversity and unwavering loyalty to friends.
Doc Holliday’s illness is also the reason he sweats and coughs
Illness has a physical impact on the holiday
Doc Holliday is often seen sweating Tombstonewhich is a clear way to communicate your illness to the public. The film does a great job of characterizing its wordless figures: Holliday’s illness makes him appear frailEarp’s body language betrays his anger and violent tendencies, and Ringo’s attitude is always one of arrogance and pride.
This is exactly what it does Tombstone so engaging – there are elements of the characters that exist beyond the words on the page, and as a result they feel much more complete.
This is exactly what it does Tombstone so engaging – there are elements of the characters that exist beyond the words on the page, and as a result they feel much more complete. Holliday is perhaps the best example of this, as his illness gives him another dimension of empathy and relatability, but never stops him from being the coolest character on screen.