Wyatt Earp (1994)

Kevin Costner plays the title role in this film about Wyatt Earp’s life, from a young boy who wanted to sneak off to join the Union Army to a retired lawman headed to the Alaska gold fields with his third wife.

In between, he hits skid row — and eventually lands in jail for horse stealing — after his first wife, Urilla, dies of typhoid.

He’s rescued by his father, and embarks on a career as a lawman out West, though he yearns for something more lucrative.

That yearning is what leads him to Tombstone, accompanied by brothers James (David Andrews), Virgil (Michael Madsen) and Morgan (Linden Ashby).

And that’s where he becomes embroiled in a dispute with the cowboys / rustlers who operate in the region, leading to the famous showdown at the O.K. Corral.

But while he, his brothers and Doc Holliday are acquitted in court of their actions in that gunfight, the feud goes on.

It’s a feud that will cost Wyatt one brother and cause another to be severely wounded.

But while most of his family flees to California, Wyatt isn’t inclined to follow.

Kevin Costner as Wyatt Earp in Wyatt Earp (1994)

Dennis Quaid as Doc Holliday at the OK Corral in Wyatt Earp (1994)

Review:

A beautifully shot film, this was neither a critical or commercial success, though it’s better than you’d think given that it earned two Razzies (worst remake and worst actor).

Part of the problem is the length: At more than three hours … well, there just isn’t enough tension or drama here to support a film of that length.

The second is the timing: This film followed “Tombstone,” which covered the same ground more effectively, representing two big-budget Westerns about Wyatt Earp at a time when not many big-budget Westerns were being made.

Costner was actually supposed to be part of that project, but opted out because he reportedly felt the focus should be on Wyatt, the character he played, rather than the supporting players in the famous gunfight.

In this film, we’re presented with a Wyatt Earp who is less hero lawman than avenging brother. And none too gallant around women after the death of his first wife, until he takes on a pretty mistress.

Joanna Going plays that mistress, Josie Marcus, in her film debut. But most of the best lines here fall to Dennis Quaid, playing Wyatt’s dying friend, Doc Holliday.

Gene Hackman as Nicholas Earp, Wyatt’s dad, in Wyatt Earp (1994)

Joanna Going as Josie Marcus, Wyatt’s third wife, in Wyatt Earp (1994)

Directed by:
Lawrence Kasden

Cast:
Kevin Costner … Wyatt Earp
Dennis Quaid … Doc Holliday
Gene Hackman … Nicholas Earp
David Andrews … James Earp
Linden Ashby … Morgan Earp
Jeff Fahey … Ike Clanton
Joanna Going … Josie Marcus
Mark Harman … Sheriff Johnny Behan
Michael Madsen … Virgil Earp
Catherine O’Hara … Allie Earp
Bill Pullman … Ed Masterson
Isabella Rossellini … Big Nose Kate
Tom Sizeman … Bat Masterson
JoBeth Williams … Bessie Earp
Mare Winningham … Mattie Blaylock
James Gammon … Mr. Sutherland
Rex Linn … Frank McLaury
Randle Mell … John Clum
Adam Baldwin … Tom McLaury
Annabeth Gish … Urilla Sutherland
Lewis Smith … Curly Bill Brocius
Ian Bohen … Young Wyatt
Betty Buckley … Virginia Earp
Alison Elliott … Lou Earp
Todd Allen … Sherm McMasters
Mackenzie Astin … Francis O’Rourke
Jim Caviezel … Warren Earp
Karen Grassle … Mrs. Sutherland
John Dennis Johnston … Frank Stillwell
Tea Leoni … Sally

Runtime: 191 min.

Linden Ashby as Morgan Earp in Wyatt Earp (1994)

Michael Madsen as Virgil Earp in Wyatt Earp (1994)

Memorable lines:

Nicholas Earp to young Wyatt, after he tries to run off to war: “Any man who can’t be depended on steady ain’t worth the trouble of havin’ around.”

Nicholas Earp to his family: “Remember this, all of you. Nothing counts so much as blood (family). The rest are just strangers.”

Ed Ross: “Wyatt Earp!”
Wyatt: “That’s my name.”
Ed: “Well, it don’t mean shit to me or anybody else in this world. And it never will after this night.”

Moreland, buying rounds at the bar: “Drink!”
Wyatt: “Mr., I’ve been in a real bad mood for a couple of years, so why don’t you leave me alone.”

Trial herd boss, when Wyatt orders his men to stop wearing guns in Dodge City: “Give up your guns, boys. Only ones you need right now are sittin’ right between your legs.”

David Andrews as James Earp in Wyatt Earp (1994)

Mark Harmon as Sheriff Johnny Behan in Wyatt Earp (1994)

Doc Holliday: “Wyatt Earp? I’ve heard that name somewhere. Don’t know where. But it wasn’t good.”

Wyatt Earp, returning to a rowdy Dodge City: “My name is Wyatt Earp. It all ends now!”

Doc Holliday, pulling a knife: “Come on, Little Dove. Let’s finally get it over with it.”
Big Nose Kate, holding a pistol: “Don’t think I won’t, you skinny heap of puss.”

Doc Holliday: “Every day I wake up surprised. Surpised I have to spend another day in this piss-hole world.”

Doc Holliday to Wyatt: “Tombstone? Is does sound quiet, I’ll give you that.”

Mare Winningham as Mattie Earp in Wyatt Earp (1994)

Annabeth Gish as Urilla Earp, Wyatt’s first wife, in Wyatt Earp (1994)

Bessie, James wife: “We are your wives. Don’t we ever count more than the damn brothers.”
Wyatt: “No, Bessie, you don’t. Wives come and go, that’s the plain truth of it. They run off. They die.”

Doc Holliday to Wyatt: “For some people, this world ain’t ever gonna be right.”

Doc Holliday in a dispute with Ike Clanton: “My momma always told me never put off ’til tomorrow the men you can kill today!”

Mattie, threatening suicide over Wyatt’s affair with Josie: “Talk to me, you cold-hearted son of a bitch.”
Wyatt Earp: “There are men out there I may have to kill, Mattie. I don’t have time for this today.”

Doc Holliday, after Morgan is killed and Virgil wounded: “What do you want to do?”
Wyatt: “Kill them all.”

Isabella Rossellini as Big Nose Kate, Doc’s girl, in Wyatt Earp (1994)

JoBeth Williams as Bessie Earp, James’ wife in Wyatt Earp (1994)

Catherine O’Hara as Allie Earp, Virgil’s wife in Wyatt Earp (1994)

Alison Elliott as Lou Earp, Morgan’s wife, in Wyatt Earp (1994)

Bill Pullman as Ed Masterson and Tom Sizeman as Bat Masterson in Wyatt Earp (1994)

Kevin Costner as Wyatt Earp and Dennis Quaid as Doc Holliday talk death in Wyatt Earp (1994)

Kevin Costner as Wyatt Earp, facing down a lynch mob, in Wyatt Earp (1994)

Kevin Costner as Wyatt Earp, looking for revenge in Wyatt Earp (1994)