Wyatt Earp

This has to be one of the ultimate film accounts of the famous Wild West story of the gunfight showdown at the OK Coral.

The plot of the film concentrates towards the climax of the gun battle, giving history and insights into the characters before they come to meet. Costner takes the lead role of Earp, playing him through his hell-raising days and his first love affair and marriage.

The plot follows on to explain how Wyatt became a somewhat unorthodox marshall, leading to his sacking for excessive use of violence in his arrests. There then follows an unsuccessful period of silver-mining, where he meets and befriends Doc Holliday. The two fail to make their fortune, and Wyatt returns to law-enforcement.

The first encounter with the Clanton gang results in the death of an officer; Wyatt's boss, and eventually to the final showdown.

This film has all the classic hallmarks of an excellent film; a fine cast, with excellent supporting actors, and a famous plot, which, despite knowing the ending, is still full of suspense. Kasdan's direction is slick and stylish and succeeds in putting more drama and empathy into the plot. Fine action and a superb example of a Western.

Sam Hillyard