Why Doc Holliday is the Heart and Soul of Tombstone

In the later 1980s, Hollywood saw a resurgence of Westerns. Emilio Estevez and Kiefer Sutherland's YOUNG GUNS films (the sequel was better than the first). Then Clint Eastwood graced us with his final Western as an aging gunman who regretted his murderous past in UNFORGIVEN. In 1993, Kurt Russell led the classic TOMBSTONE. Just like UNFORGIVEN, it's more of a character study than a plot-driven narrative. That's why TOMBSTONE is still so popular today. The film focuses on its characters to move the story forward. 

And while Russell's portrayal of Wyatt Earp is fantastic, as are the other cast members, Val Kilmer's role as John "Doc" Holliday steals the show. 

Tombstone 1993

Holliday's snappy lingo and sarcastic personality set him apart from his Earp comrades. Whereas the Earps care more about law and order (like Virgil and Morgan), and Wyatt focuses on establishing businesses, Holliday's anti-hero attitude and moments of lust and debauchery give the audience a taste of his rebellious nature. Holliday doesn't struggle with any moral justice of his conscience. He cheats, steals, and insults others. He knows he's dying of tuberculosis and likely won't live to see himself cured of it, especially with the Hungarian devil Kate by his side to fill his need for booze, smoke, and sex.

But what he lacks in his ability to refrain from earthly temptations, Holliday shines with his allegiance to his friends. 

He never breaks from the Earp family. Even though Virgil quietly mentions he doesn't particularly care for Holliday, he never turns Doc away or disrespects him because Virgil knows Holliday will always be there to support the Earp brothers. Holiday is an unofficial adopted brother of the Earps, especially by Wyatt.

As rough and rugged and righteous as Wyatt is, he's a softy for the people in his circle. Although he eventually leaves his druggy wife Mattie for the playful Josephine Marcus, Wyatt spent much time putting up with Mattie's drug use. The same goes for holding Holiday's criminal lifestyle. Wyatt knows Holliday can be trouble for him, but he stands by Holliday anyway. And Holliday knows this. Wyatt doesn't judge him.

Doc Holliday Doctor Holliday GIFfrom Doc Holliday GIFs

That goes a long way in a friendship. Keeping boundaries with friends keeps friends. In only one moment Wyatt attempts to save Doc from his drunkenness, to which Holliday quickly refutes his lecture. Wyatt quickly backs away, respecting Holiday's wishes. 

Holliday isn't only the anti-hero, he's the tragic hero of the story. 

He never had any family or love in his life. Even friendship was very limited. It's because of Wyatt's genuine friendship with Doc that he represents a lost soul who wants to family but he isn't able to achieve it. Whether because of the tuberculosis that afflicts him or his cheating skill as a poker player, Holliday's fate is a tragic one because of what stands in his way to living righteous like Wyatt.

That's why Holliday is the standout character in TOMBSTONE. He represents, in a way, everyone who isn't able to get the things they want and instead falls into despair, but still helps his friends along the way.