Don't look at this as a historical film.

It's set in Tombstone, and some of the names are correct, but that's where any "facts" end.

In the end this is a beautifully photographed film, with some fine performances and a fairly interesting story. I don't rate it as high as some of its contemporaries, but it is still worthwhile. It's important to note that Wyatt Earp was largely lost to history until Stuart Lake's book came out, and John Ford could never have imagined that an audience that was as sophisticated and well-versed in history as we are today would ever be watching his film.

So far as historical accuracy goes, I'd say Kevin Costner's "Wyatt Earp" comes about as close to fact as any film on the event from what I have read, but Costner's Earp is still probably too much of a good guy even in that depressing film. The real Earp was taciturn, even downright grim, and as a pimp, gambler, and opportunist, he was a long way from being what we would call a good guy. That said, I hate judging historical figures by modern standards. He lived in a very rough world.

There is also much debate about whether the entire "Gunfight at the OK Corral" might have been avoided by Virgil Earp. Without a doubt, his choice to bring along Doc Holiday was dubious at best.

Anyway, enjoy the film. It's a classic as it stands--just don't expect an historical document.

"He was running around like a rooster in a barnyard full of ducks."--Pat Novak