Val Kilmer’s Iconic Doc Holliday Revisited as Tombstone Airs on Arte
The legendary shootout at the O.K. Corral and the complex characters at its heart are set for a re-examination as the classic Western Tombstone airs on Arte this Sunday, November 9th at 10:35 p.m. The film, notable for its portrayal of lawman Wyatt Earp and his volatile friend Doc holliday, gains renewed poignancy following the recent passing of Val Kilmer, who brought a magnetic intensity to the role of the tubercular gunslinger.
Tombstone depicts the 1881 arrival of Wyatt Earp in the Arizona town,initially seeking a peaceful life with his wife and brothers. However, the tranquility is shattered by the reign of terror imposed by outlaws including Curly Bill Brocius, the Clanton brothers, and Johnny Ringo. Earp,alongside his brothers serving as marshals,quickly finds himself confronting the region’s criminal underworld.
Central to the narrative is John Henry “Doc” Holliday, a former dentist turned gambler and sharpshooter. Kilmer’s performance, lauded by critics, was rooted in meticulous research. “I studied Doc Holliday’s mannerisms: his accent, his posture… I wanted him to have a soul, a depth.” he once stated. His portrayal captures the character’s internal conflict - a sophisticated, music-loving man battling a debilitating illness while maintaining a reputation as a deadly gunslinger. Holliday, alongside the three Earp brothers, formed a formidable quartet that faced off against their rivals in the infamous shootout on October 26, 1881, a confrontation frequently dramatized in Western lore.
Before Kilmer,the legend of Doc Holliday had been embodied by actors including Kurt Russell,Henry Fonda,Burt Lancaster,and James Stewart. But Kilmer’s interpretation remains a defining one for a generation of viewers.
Tombstone, Sunday November 9 at 10:35 p.m. on Arte
