Wyatt Earp (1994)

VHS CASE/SLIDE

Length of film:  191 Minutes (Extended: 212 Minutes)

Rating: PG-13

Genre: Adventure, Biography, Crime

Director: Lawrence Kasdan

Starring: Kevin Costner, Dennis Quaid, Gene Hackman, Tom Sizemore, Jim Caviezel, Catherine O’Hara

IMDB Rank: 6.7/10

Part 1 Time: 99 Minutes (Extended: 109 Minutes)

Part 2 Time: 92 Minutes (Extended: 103 Minutes)

Where does the first part end? Wyatt Earp, Bat Masterson, and Doc Holliday stand over Ed Masterson’s grave. Wyatt informs them he will be sheriff in Tombstone, Arizona. He invites Bat and Doc to come along with him if they wish.

Final line of dialogue on the first part: “Tombstone, it does sound quiet.” Doc Holiday responds to Wyatt’s offer.

First line of dialogue on the second part: James Earp speaks to Wyatt in Tombstone “Man we’ve been waiting for.”

How jarring is it when the first part ends? None, Wyatt, Bat, and Doc are in no real danger. It is during the day there are no real threats and all characters are well respected due to their positions as marshals in Dodge City.

Which part is better? Part one explores the early life of Wyatt Earp from childhood until before leaving Dodge City. The second part is based in Tombstone where Wyatt comes in conflict with a group of outlaws called “Cowboys.” Here we see events such as the shootout at the O.K. Corral, the death of Morgan Earp, and various attempts to kill Virgil and Doc. For this reason, part two is superior to the first half.

Academy Awards: Best Cinematography (Nominated)