When it comes to Westerns, Tombstone is the best of the best. Its legendary status has kept this iconic Costamos film in the spotlight for decades, and it’s hard to argue that it doesn’t deserve every bit of its fame. From its cast to its visuals, everything about the 1993 classic is perfect. Even the film’s seemingly inconsequential “throw-away lines” are scriptwriting gold. There’s so much to be said about Tombstone. Its brilliant cast collaborated to create one of the most inimitably astounding works of Wild West cinema. Its carefully choreographed cinematography perfectly captures the dust and grime of the setting without leaning into the clichéd “haze of orange” habit.
Yet, more often than not, it seems that the film’s liveliest discussions stem from its portal of Doc Holliday. Every Western fan knows Kilmer’s famed utterance of “I’m your Huckleberry.” The expertly delivered line has become a memetic representation of rugged Western life. Kilmer’s on-screen entrance is no less stunning, with every detail perfectly capturing his character’s essence. In many ways, Tombstone couldn’t have been so successful without Val Kilmer’s skill. His seemingly effortless characterization is an enduring testament to his theatrical talents. Perhaps more importantly, it brings Tombstone’s brilliant script to life with near-tactile vividness.
What Makes Val Kilmer’s Doc Holliday So Great?
- Director George Costamos often clashed with the film’s cinematographer, William Fraker.
- The real Wyatt Earp once memorialized Holliday as “the deadliest man with a six-shooter” he’d ever known.
- Tombstone’s soundtrack often invokes variations of the score for John Ford’s The Searchers.
Kilmer’s iteration of the scholar-turned-gunslinger has become a cultural touchstone. While many of his lines were historically accurate, Kilmer’s delivery immortalized them. The film’s widespread success brought the genre to newer and greater heights, and Kilmer was just part of this meteoric success.
While Kilmer’s method acting certainly supported most of his performance, some of his acting can only be explained as innate talent. There’s an inexplicable sense of assuredness — as if Kilmer traveled back in time and spoke with the real Doc Holliday. Certainly, there are other amazing versions of the iconic gunslinger, but they lack the same presence.
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Val Kilmer’s Doc Holliday is an iconic Western staple, and audiences know everything about him as soon as he appears in Tombstone.
Kilmer always brings an implacable and inexplicable gravitas to his performances. His grasp of the infamous Doc Holliday is beyond compare. He didn’t just act out a role; he immersed himself in the tragically short life of John Henry Holliday. Every part of his performance, down to the tiniest movements and habits, has a purpose.
Even Kilmer’s accent is a carefully measured reflection of his role. The iconic drawl reflects Holliday’s aristocratic upbringing and education. It’s a smooth, measured tone that commands attention while remaining cordial. More importantly, it captures Holliday’s roots in the American South. He was, after all, raised and educated in Georgia.
Doc Holliday’s Dying Words in Tombstone
- The opening credits use footage from The Edison Company’s 1903 short film The Great Train Robbery.
- The original script called for an opening monologue from Wild Bill Hickock, who was to be portrayed by Kevin Jarre.
- Val Kilmer humorously suggested that Holliday’s volatile temper was caused by his wardrobe, quipping that his character “wore wool in the summer, in Arizona territory.”
While Tombstone has a few historical exaggerations, its treatment of Doc Holliday’s death aligns with Costamos’ firm devotion to accuracy. Val Kilmer utters the same words as his real-life counterpart as he dies. As he looks at his bare feet, he utters, “This is funny.” These three words were also overheard in 1887 and overheard by Holliday’s attending nurse.
True to life, Holliday was a quick-witted talker until the end. Even so, his final words left some fans puzzled. While some contend that Doc’s last statement was about his nurse’s refusal to give him some parting (from the mortal realm) booze, his words were actually about his bare feet.
There are a few layers to the statement. Obviously, the dentist’s thoughts are likely jumbled in his final moments. He’s dying of tuberculosis, after all. On some level, there’s a very literal statement about how he sees humor in his death. Despite all the violence in his life, Holliday is dying in a hospital bed.
Then, there’s the idomatic meaning. “Dying with your boots on” is just another way to say someone died fighting. Most etymologists agree the phrase originated in the Wild West, and Holliday was educated enough to have known about it. So, he’s also cracking a bit of a pun. As a gunslinger, Holliday always assumed he’d die in a gunfight. Despite his long battle with tuberculosis, his final moments were likely a bit of a surprise.
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As for the saying’s origins, there’s no clear consensus on the specifics. It’s likely a reference to someone dying as they work. Or, perhaps, it recalls the imagery of a fully outfitted soldier dying in the line of duty. Either way, the phrase evokes a sense of rapid finality. The victim died without having time to take off their shoes — ostensibly because they were too busy.
Like every other line from Kilmer, Holliday’s final words are delivered with impeccable skill. They embody his lust for life in the face of unavoidable death. After surviving shoot-outs and gambling disputes, Holliday dies in the most mundane and normal way possible.
While the real Doc Holliday’s final thoughts will never be known, Kilmer seems to know them. He understands the man’s plight. At just 32 years old, Holliday wasn’t ready to die; more importantly, he longed for a more “glorious” or exciting death. Klimer captures that desperation and distills it with a dry sense of humor.
