Gunfight at the O.K Corral (1957)

 In 7 words or less: Wyatt & Doc shoot 'em up

What's it all About? Marshall Wyatt Earp (Lancaster) and gambler/gunslinger Doc Holiday (Douglas) are worlds apart but end up in an unlikely alliance in this 'town based' western. 

Best bits? While some hoodlums shoot up the town, Doc is sitting rock steady playing cards and telling the dealer, who is shaking and cowering, to deal the cards and get on with the game. Ice cool playa. There is also a fantastic scene in the barber's shop.

Did it make you think thoughts? There are two cracking lead performances here. It's a stand-off between bravura egos as the pair swagger and stride around every scene. Lancaster was arguably the bigger star but for the Chief, it's Douglas who steals the show. His tortured gambler is strong, resolute and stoic but hides an inner turmoil that threatens to destroy him. 

It's also important to note that this was a big budget production and it shows. Sets are lushly constructed, colours vivid and the cast is all on top form. Even a young Dennis Hopper impresses as as a gunslinger who is conflicted by doing the right thing and standing tall with his cattle rustling family. Commercially the film did very well at the box office and sent the making of B westerns into decline.

Would you watch it again? Yeah, it's a great interpretation of the classic gunfight that is well worth yout time.

'No gambling here missy'

Rating (out of 100%): I really enjoyed this. It might be about 15 minutes too long but even then I give Gunfight at the O.K Corral a rootin' tootin' 82%

Better than: Wyatt Earp (1994)
As good as: Tombstone (1993)