Travis Simpkins: Charlton Heston

Showing posts with label Charlton Heston. Show all posts

Saturday, October 26, 2019

Tombstone (1993): Kurt Russell and Val Kilmer as Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday

Directed by George P. Cosmatos, and written by Kevin Jarre (who was also the original director, but was fired early on), Tombstone (1993) remains the definitive film version of the Earp/Holliday/Cowboy gunfight at the OK Corral and one of the best Westerns ever made. After Cosmatos' death, star Kurt Russell claimed that he actually directed the film himself, but it is debatable. The story starts with the Earp brothers' arrival in Tombstone, Arizona, and their feud with the outlaw cowboys in town leading up to the gunfight at the OK Corral, it then follows Wyatt Earp on his vendetta ride after the murder of his brother. The production is vibrant and action packed. A modern Classic. The ensemble cast is excellent, including Kurt Russell as Wyatt Earp, Val Kilmer as Doc Holliday, Sam Elliot as Virgil Earp, Bill Paxton as Morgan Earp, Powers Booth as "Curly Bill" Brocius, Michael Biehn as Johnny Ringo and Dana Delany as Josephine Marcus. The supporting cast is great as well, including Billy Bob Thornton, Charlton Heston, Jason Priestley, Thomas Haden Church, Stephen Lang, Billy Zane, Harry Carey Jr., Frank Stallone, Buck Taylor and Joanna Pacula. Robert Mitchum narrates and Bruce Broughton provides a memorable musical score.

Tombstone. 1993: Kurt Russell, Sam Elliot, Bill Paxton: The Earp Brothers

Tombstone. 1993: Powers Booth as "Curly Bill" Brocius

Tombstone. 1993: Val Kilmer as Doc Holliday

Tombstone. 1993: Michael Biehn as Johnny Ringo

Tombstone. 1993: Billy Zane and Dana Delany

Tombstone. 1993: Kurt Russell as Wyatt Earp

Tombstone. 1993: Billy Bob Thornton as Johnny Tyler

Tombstone. 1993: Stephen Lang as Ike Clanton

Tombstone. 1993: The Earps and Holliday

Tombstone. 1993: Gunfight at the OK Corral

Tombstone. 1993: Val Kilmer as Doc Holliday

Tombstone. 1993: Kurt Russell as Wyatt Earp

Tombstone. 1993: Charlton Heston

Tombstone. 1993: Jason Priestley as Billy Breakenridge

Tombstone. 1993: Kurt Russell as Wyatt Earp

Tombstone. 1993

Tombstone. 1993: Charlton Heston

Tombstone. 1993: Val Kilmer as Doc Holliday

Tombstone. 1993: Kurt Russell and Dana Delany

"Tombstone"- movie trailer

Saturday, March 30, 2019

Touch of Evil (1958): Orson Welles, Charlton Heston and Janet Leigh

Upon completion of principle photography, Orson Welles had to submit his rough cut version of Touch of Evil (1958) to the studio. Editors butchered it, changed the order of scenes and added unnecessary music. Orson wrote a 58 page letter begging them to reconsider and allow him to present the film in his own, unique artistic vision. They refused. It was the last time Welles made a Hollywood film. Instead he moved to Europe, where his style was better appreciated. Touch of Evil was shown there in it's uncut form and had a great influence, particularly on French New Wave films.

A legendary long opening shot introduces the catalyst for the film: a wealthy businessman is killed after crossing the border by a bomb placed in his car. The bomb originated in Mexico, so authorities on both sides are eager to see the matter resolved. Miguel Vargas (Charlton Heston), a Mexican official and his wife (Janet Leigh) are involved in the investigation, having been nearby when the explosion occurred...

Touch of Evil. 1958: Charlton Heston and Janet Leigh

Crooked cop Hank Quinlan (Orson Welles) represents the American authorities. When Vargas discovers Quinlan planting evidence to frame a Mexican man for the crime, he threatens to expose Quinlan...