Sam Elliott has a long line of Western movies under his belt, but his best film in the genre is arguably the one that came out in 1993. Although Sam Elliott has a diverse set of movies in his acting portfolio, he has always been considered a Western staple because of his ability to perfectly embody the quintessential cowboys and badass gunslingers. His distinctive deep voice and iconic walrus mustache have always complemented his characters in Western movies, further cementing him as one of the most recognizable figures in the genre.
However, even though Sam Elliott has played roles in many memorable Westerns, including 1883, Conagher, and The Sacketts, one of his films in the genre is arguably far better than the others. The film in question has surprisingly gained a new wave of appreciation from viewers almost three decades after its release, highlighting the timelessness of its storyline and Sam Elliott’s performance. Sam Elliott’s involvement in any Western movie is enough to significantly elevate his watch value, but one film is easily his best in the genre.
Tombstone Is The Best Western Movie Sam Elliott Has Appeared In
The Movie Has Everything From An Ensemble Cast To A Timeless Story
One of the biggest reasons Tombstone is experiencing a new wave of fame is that it serves as the perfect gateway movie for viewers new to the Western genre. The movie genre is often defined by its own set of tropes and devices that may not initially appeal to most. However, even though Tombstone is set in the West, it keeps things simple by adopting a universally appealing narrative about good vs. evil. Despite being a far cry from the Old West Indies, Tombstone somehow manages to feel more Western than modern takes on the genre, like The Power of the Dog.
Unlike most modern Westerns, which have to acknowledge that they are exploring a fast-dying genre, Tombstone manages to strike the perfect balance between appealing to new audiences while honoring everything viewers have grown to love about classic Westerns. While one cannot expect historical accuracy from Tombstone, the movie also grounds itself in realism by riffing on some true stories from American 1800s history.
Like every epic Western, Tombstone also features some incredibly memorable one-liners, like “I’m your huckleberry” and “You’re a daisy if you do.” The film’s quotes echo through pop culture even to this day and are referred to in everything from TV shows like Supernatural to video games like Mortal Kombat 11. All the dialogue in the epic Western is further immortalized by the delivery of its cast, which includes many big names like Sam Elliott, Val Kilmer, and Kurt Russell.
Virgil Earp’s Ending In Tombstone Isn’t Sam Elliott’s Most Exciting Exit In A Western Movie
Elliott’s Character Does Not Even Make It To The Movie’s Ending
Unfortunately, as brilliant as it may be as a Western, Tombstone’s compelling ending seemingly does not do justice to Sam Elliott’s Virgil Earp. Instead of giving him a well-rounded closure with the rest of the cast members in the concluding moments of the overarching story, the movie ends his story a little too soon by showing how he gets severely injured after an ambush. While the ending still highlights that Virgil’s career as a lawman did not end anytime soon, it is hard not to crave more screen time from the Sam Elliott character when the Western’s credits start rolling.