Review of Gunfight at the O.K. Corral (1957) by Ivan D — 31 May 2010

Many versions were made about the infamous gunfight, but this is the first variation of the story that I have seen. Wyatt Earp, although a real-life western figure, was a generic clean-cut hero, and is played by Burt Lancaster with the standard hero persona.

But Doc Holiday, one of the grittiest western characters ever, was the trickier of the two to portray, and putting Kirk Douglas, a very talented actor, in the role was a very great move, as he has done justice to the gambling-addicted ally of Earp.

Of course, many people watched the film solely for witnessing the eponymous set piece, and I have to say, it was a great build-up to the anticipated climax. The said shoot-out was directed by John Sturges without any music to let viewers feel the raw ferocity of the ricochets and gunshot sounds.

Another high point of the film is its theme song, which is although corny-sounding today(I bet even back then), does not fail to accompany all our LS syndrome, with me ending up humming a tune or two.