I noticed in the film right before all of the shooting that Doc winked. Was this a tell that he was about to start blasting with the shotgun? Wyatt looks at him then says something like "Oh my God." So Doc actually short first and on purpose?
shareThe wink told Clanton that they didn't come to disarm him. And if he doubted their safety after getting disarmed it would be stupid to do it. He is unaware that Doc doesn't represent the Earps' intentions.
"So Doc actually short first and on purpose?"
It doesn't show him shoot until the guy is behind the horse. It looks like he shoots three times but he only has two shots. He might have only shot twice and the editing was just choppy. I'm not sure why he is just standing there for so long while the others are having a shootout.
It looks like he shoots three times but he only has two shots. He might have only shot twice and the editing was just choppy.They show the second shot twice from two different angles. They do this a few times during the gunfight. They also show doc shoot at Ike in the window twice from two different angles. It was an odd choice, but that's why it seems like doc can fire way more times than his guns should allow.... share
That is a weird editing choice, thanks for the clarification.
shareIt is an odd choice, but the gunfight makes more sense when you watch it with that knowledge. I guess it was their way of expanding a 30 second gunfight and making it exciting for the screen. I have to say, it does the job....
shareBeen awhile since I've seen it but IIRC I took it that Doc was egging on Clanton by mocking his (Clanton's) sexuality.
I don't know if Doc was intended to be gay but he was naturally flamboyant. The wink was a faux come on to Clanton -- these were times when homosexuality was considered an abomination and sinful -- and Clanton was insulted to the point of anger by the suggestion.
Doc's goal was to provoke a confrontation, hence, Wyatt's reaction to his provocation.