Tombstone Rashomon, 81 minutes, TriCoast Entertainment, not rated, 2017 (released online and on DVD in 2020)
Japanese director Akira Kurosawa’s 1950 masterpiece Rashomon is known for its storytelling from multiple perspectives. Writer-director Alex Cox follows Kurosawa’s structure to examine the Oct. 26, 1881, gunfight near the O.K. Corral in Tombstone, Arizona Territory. Time travelers are in town the day after the Wild West’s most famous gunfight to interview surviving participants Wyatt Earp (Adam Newberry), Doc Holliday (Eric Schumacher), Ike Clanton (Benny Lee Kennedy) and eyewitnesses to the fight. Unsurprisingly, their stories conflict, as was the case in real life at Judge Wells Spicer’s hearing in the aftermath of the street fight. Cochise County Sheriff Johnny Behan (Jesse Lee Pacheco) proves the most entertaining interviewee.
If you’re unfamiliar with the ins and outs of the historic feud and fight, you might have trouble figuring out what’s going on. Another caveat: This is a low-budget effort, thus it’s best not to compare it to either Kurosawa’s Rashomon or the 1993 classic Western Tombstone. But for those who appreciate offbeat Western entertainment and can’t get enough of Wyatt Earp and friends (and enemies), Tombstone Rashomon is worth a look.
—Editor
This post contains affiliate links. If you buy something through our site, we might earn a commission.
