UltimateMovieRankings’s review published on Letterboxd:
Why I watched this movie? The 145th Danny Peary Cult Movie that I have watched of the 200 listed in his 3 Volume book series. This one is listed in Volume 2.
What is this one about? Another version of the famous Gunfight at the OK Coral.
My thoughts on this one? A quick look at my movie book that I used before Letterboxd was created....shows that I had seen this movie before.....but I had almost no memory of watching this one. Back then I rated this movie 2 out of 4 stars. That is a pretty low rating for what many people consider one of the best westerns ever made.
So....now that I am older and wiser......have I seen the light? Well I now think it is a better than average movie....but it is still not one of my favorite westerns. The good stuff in the movie: (1)Henry Fonda as Wyatt Earp and Victor Mature as Doc Holliday are memorable (though still not as good as Russell and Kilmer in Tombstone). (2)The cinematography is top notch ....especially for a black and white film. (3) The direction by John Ford is also top notch.
Now on to the bad stuff: (1)This has to be the least historical accurate telling of the Earp/Clanton feud. I know it is a movie and not a documentary....but when the true story is so well known....the errors stick out like a sore thumb. (2) The relationship between Doc and Wyatt is too adversary in this one.....at the end you are not even sure why Doc joins in the famous fight....is he pissed his woman is dead or is he concerned about Wyatt? (3) The love interest storylines is uninteresting in this one. (4) The final famous gunfight is pretty weak....when it should have "blown the doors off".
Final thought. I ok.....I admit this is a well done movie. I found it entertaining and fun to watch....it is worth seeing. But if you want to see the best movie on this subject...check out Tombstone....sorry you Kevin Costner Wyatt Earp fans.
This is ranked 7th of 83 Fonda movies on my Henry Fonda Cogerson Movie Score table. cogersonmoviescore.com/henry-fonda-movies-best-to-worst.html