Parents' Guide to

Tombstone

By Jeffrey Anderson, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 16+

Very popular and very violent Wyatt Earp story.

Movie R 1993 130 minutes
Tombstone Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

See all
age 14+

Based on 6 parent reviews

Clayton B.
Clayton B. Adult
March 18, 2017
age 15+

Script

In the scene where Wyatt confronts Billy Bob Thornton in the Oriental Saloon, BBT says something tithe effect of ,"Yoy sure talk big for a man who don't go heels (carry a firearm). Wyatt answers,"No need to go heels to get the BULGE on a DUB like you. What does Bulge and Dub stand for in present day language.

This title has:

Too much violence
Too much sex
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
Michael R.
Michael R. Parent of 9, 11 and 12-year-old
April 28, 2016
age 15+

A great movie held back by sexual content.

There is an implied rape at the beginning of the movie. A scene takes place with a painting in the near background depicting a fully nude woman with an unobstructed view for several seconds (20+). A female character alludes to sex making a male character feel better followed by a caress/fondling of the character's clothed groin. Violence is moderate considering the length of the movie. The age and style of the movie reduce the impact of the violence and gore, placing it into an unrealistic realm. Positive messages can be found in Wyatt Earp & his brothers' strong will to do what they feel is right, only changing their position when it is right to do so. I was screening for my soon to be 13-year-old, think I'll have him wait until 14 or 15.

This title has:

Too much violence
Too much sex
Too much swearing
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
See all 6 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Former lawman Wyatt Earp (Kurt Russell) decides to retire in the growing town of Tombstone with his two brothers. There, they meet Wyatt's old friend Doc Holliday (Val Kilmer), a gunslinger with tuberculosis. The Earps plan to take it easy and make some money on a drinking/gambling establishment. Unfortunately, a band of violent criminals called the Cowboys starts to make trouble, and before long it becomes apparent that the Earps must take up their guns once again to help keep the peace. Meanwhile, a saucy showgirl (Dana Delany) has caught the married Wyatt's eye, causing even more trouble for him. Will Wyatt survive all this, plus a showdown with the malevolent sharpshooter Johnny Ringo (Michael Biehn)?

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (6):
Kids say (14):

Tombstone will seem shockingly violent to those who already like Westerns, but for Rambo fans, it won't seem out of the ordinary. The movie has a few over-the-top moments, and there is perhaps too much story crammed into too little space, but it also has an energetic flow, and a genuinely rugged, exciting feel, unlike many of the more bloated, picturesque examples of the Western genre. Ultimately, it's Russell and Kilmer -- and their chemistry together -- that make this movie work.

Directed by George P. Cosmatos (Rambo: First Blood Part II), Tombstone had an inauspicious start when it was released to theaters without press screenings. Before long, however, fans were cheering over the terrific performances by Kurt Russell and especially Val Kilmer as the cool, verbose Doc Holliday. Though this wasn't enough to make the movie a hit, it has gained a solid fan following over the years. Many viewers generally prefer it to the much higher-profile Wyatt Earp (1994), released six months later.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the intense violence in the film. Was it necessary to tell the story? Was any of it gratuitous?

  • Why do you think the Western genre not as popular as it once was? Do you have a favorite Western?

  • The legendary hero Wyatt Earp has many flaws in this film. Do the flaws make him more interesting? Do they make him less of a hero?

Movie Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

See all recommended movie lists

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate