Wyatt Earp
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Wyatt Earp
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Wyatt Earp is a long, Oscar-nominated biopic that contains some bloody violence as a result of gun and fist fights. The movie follows the life of legendary gunslinger and lawman, Wyatt Earp (Kevin Costner), following his journey from young boy through to the infamous gunfight at the O.K. Corral. Guns feature heavily and are used readily as vendettas are settled with bullets. Some deaths are realistic and bloody while others are more "classic" Westerns kills, with people clutching their bodies and falling through windows. Other characters die of illness. Earp's judge father, Nicholas Earp (Gene Hackman), teaches him strong values, including family and law. But he fails to stick to them when faced with violence and tragedy. There is brief nudity and a mild sex scene. Some characters are sex workers and characters discuss paying for sex. There is one use of "f--k" and other milder bad language throughout. A character becomes an opium user and attempts suicide by overdose. There is a lot of alcohol consumption and Earp quits drinking after a drunken incident. With a runtime of over three hours, a degree of patience is required to sit through the movie in its entirety.
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What's the Story?
WYATT EARP -- played by Kevin Costner -- tells the story of the legendary gunslinger and lawmaker, from boyhood through to the infamous shootout at the O.K. Corral. Throughout his life, Earp encounters family tragedy and bloody vendettas.
Is It Any Good?
This 1994 biopic delivers a throwback to the epic Westerns of the 1950s, but Wyatt Earp never changes pace or rouses emotion, which only adds to its labored three hour runtime. Only Dennis Quaid's Doc Holliday lifts Wyatt Earp's listless tone. The difference is huge when he's around, producing a fantastic stand-out performance in just a few short scenes. Costner contributes heavily to the static tone of the movie. After he's struck by tragedy early on, Earp's dour shuffle through life hardly feels befitting of national legend or even his own movie.
The production design is great though and each town and settlement feels alive, packed with characters more interesting and compelling than sad-sack Earp. Indeed the cinematography received an Academy Award nomination with the vast scenery capturing the Technicolor feel of classic Western epics. This isn't a bad movie, it just fails to sell how the tale of Wyatt Earp captivated an entire country for more than 100 years. In this version, everyone around him is much more interesting. So to be swept up by the legend, maybe look elsewhere, perhaps starting with the hour-shorter and the more dynamic Tombstone, released a year earlier.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the violence in Wyatt Earp. Do the violent scenes help tell the story in an effective way? Is it shocking or thrilling? Why? Does exposure to violent media desensitize kids to violence?
Would you describe Wyatt Earp as a positive role model? What character strengths, if any, does he show? Why are these important traits to have?
Discuss the drinking and drug use in the movie. Is it glamorized? What are the consequences? Why is that important?
How does the movie portray sex. Is it affectionate? Respectful? Parents, talk to your teens about your own values regarding sex and relationships.
How does this movie compare to other Western movies you might have seen? What do you think is the appeal of movies about the Old West?
Movie Details
- In theaters: November 24, 1994
- On DVD or streaming: May 2, 2006
- Cast: Kevin Costner, Dennis Quaid, Gene Hackman
- Director: Lawrence Kasdan
- Studio: Warner Bros.
- Genre: Western
- Topics: Adventures, History
- Run time: 191 minutes
- MPAA rating: PG-13
- MPAA explanation: strong gunfights, some language and sensuality
- Last updated: February 1, 2023
Our Editors Recommend
-
Dances with Wolves
A grand, sweeping journey with graphic violence.
-
Tombstone
Very popular and very violent Wyatt Earp story.
-
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
Classic tale of two famous outlaws; violence, cursing.
For kids who love Westerns
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