Review of Gunfight at the O.K. Corral (1957) by Dean M — 15 Aug 2010

No knives, no guns, and no killing.

Wyatt Earp has reluctantly made a friend in Doc Holiday. They have an understanding: Doc can gamble all he wants, however he wants, as long as he doesn?t stab, shoot, or kill anyone. Earp falls in love with an eccentric girl and decides to leave law business; however, when his older brother is struggling to make things work in the rough city of Tombstone, Earp returns to the law business to help his family. Doc decides to tag along just in case his friend needs a little help.

?Alright Doc, we ain?t finished yet.?

?You would have been, but I?m in a charitable mood tonight.?

John Sturges, director of Hour of the Gun, McQ, The Magnificent Seven, The Great Escape, Joe Kidd, and The Girl in White, delivers Gunfight at the OK Corral. The storyline for this picture is worthwhile and well presented. The script is outstanding and the acting is marvelous. The cast includes Kirk Douglas, Burt Lancaster, Dennis Hopper, Lee Van Cleef, and Rhonda Fleming.

?You act like you wanna get killed.?

?Maybe I do.?

I am a huge Lee Van Cleef fan and DVR as many of his pictures as possible. Van Cleef was barely in this movie (he was in two bar scenes); however, Douglas and Lancaster were perfect in their roles (especially Douglas). This movie was almost as good as Tombstone with Kurt Russell and Val Kilmer; although, the conclusion of this movie was less climatic than Tombstone. Overall, this is a solid western that is worth your time.

?Those best able to testify to my aim ain?t around to comment.?

Grade: A-.