In the movie Tombstone, Kurt Russel plays, Wyatt Earp. Wyatt Earp was a famous law enforcement agent from the Wild West. At the beginning of the film, the audience is led to believe that Wyatt and his pals wish to settle down, and earn money of the post civil war economy. For the most part he succeeds in doing so. However, he soon finds out that the town is overrun by a gang of outlaws that call themselves, The Cowboys. Soon tensions rise between the gang and him, and Earp is forced to come out of retirement. In the meantime he is having problems dealing with his opium addicted wife. Behind his back Wyatt’s two friends feel guilty about amassing wealth, while not giving back to the community. They then join the police force. This causes Wyatt to become furious and tries to show them how stupid they are for doing so. Soon the gang rolls into town and violates the no gun policy. Next the famous fight at the OK Corral occurs, and the Cowboys are brought to justice. Now the attention of the Cowboys. In retaliation the gang ambushes and kills Wyatt’s brother; then they maim his friends arm. Forced to become a U.S Marshall again Earp vows to kill anyone that is part of the gang. With his new posse of towns people, he goes in search of them. They are then ambushed at a river, after an intense battle Wyatt kills the leader. The move concludes with the killing of the last leader of the gang.
In order to play such a complex role, one must understand the rich history that surrounds the name, Wyatt Earp. Any historian could conclude that Kurt Russel acts the part with nothing short of perfection. The development of the character from being a neutral, peaceful entrepreneur, to a vengeful, shooter would certainly be difficult to portray. However, Kurt Russell pulls it off well. This ability to take a legend; a man from history, and to exemplify what it would really be like to be him makes Kurt Russel on of my favorite actors of all time.