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Gunfight at the O.K. Corral
1957 123 min United States of America 12+
★7.4
Western, Drama
Director: John Sturges
Trailers
Description
Lawman Wyatt Earp and outlaw Doc Holliday form an unlikely alliance which culminates in their participation in the legendary Gunfight at the O.K. Corral.
Worldwide:
$11.75M
Starring
Burt Lancaster
Actor
Kirk Douglas
Actor
Rhonda Fleming
Actor
Awards
Academy Awards 1958
— Best Sound
Academy Awards 1958
— Best Film Editing
Key opinion
Gunfight at the O.K. Corral is widely regarded as a character-driven Western that prioritizes the complex, evolving friendship between Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday over its historical accuracy or action sequences. While the leads' dynamic is frequently praised as the film's core strength, viewers remain divided over whether this chemistry succeeds or if the film's pacing and script are ultimately hindered by melodrama.
| Acting | Kirk Douglas delivers a standout, compelling performance that anchors the film's emotional exploration of a fatalistic, disillusioned gambler. | |
| Theme | The film succeeds primarily as a study of the bond between Earp and Holliday rather than as a historical reenactment of the titular gunfight. | |
| Screenplay | The screenplay is viewed as a point of contention, with some praising the charismatic dialogue while others find it sluggish, talky, and prone to distracting, underdeveloped romances. | |
| Acting | The chemistry between Burt Lancaster and Kirk Douglas is a polarising element, viewed by some as an authentic, powerful anchor for the narrative and by others as lacking genuine spark. | |
| Pacing | The film's pacing creates a divide: some viewers appreciate the contemplative, character-focused tempo, while others find it slow, overly long, and lacking in grit. | |
| Production | Production quality is debated, with some appreciating the slick, classic Western aesthetic and others feeling the artificial sets and sterile musical score undercut the film's impact. |