Tombstone

by Giles Tippette

extremely rare,very good condition

Genres: Westerns

219 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

Reviews

[Charles · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a novelization by Giles Tippette of the screenplay for the movie Tombstone, which is a western that I like very much. It stays very close to the filmed version of the movie for the most part, although there are a few small departures and some additional explanation of scenes that helped explain small holes in the movie plot. Fortunately, it keeps all the wonderful dialogue. I enjoyed it and pictured the actors in the roles as I read through it.

[Peterpeterman · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a great movie, so when I found the book in an old book store in Thunder Bay, I had to have it. I haven't seen the movie in a while, so this was great to read again.
I believe there are a number of extra scenes in the book, but as they say, the Movie is never as good as the novelization of the movie.

Apparently there is a theory(I'm sure nobody loses sleep over this one) that the famous line by Doc Holliday(or Val Kilmer) "I'm your Huckleberry" was not actually those lines, but "I'm your huckle bearer" meaning, I'll be carrying you to your grave. Well folks, no worries, this book settles it once and for all(twice actually, as the line is delivered twice) "I'm your Huckleberry" is the line, seen it, right there in black and white.

Read the book if you want, but make sure you see the movie.
Long weekend, well spent.

[Star Merrill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the movie, so I read the book. It does shed some light about things that were not explained in the movie. Loved the dialog and the characters.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book did what I wanted, which was expand slightly on some things in the film that seemed glossed over or missing regarding plot continuity. That said, it does seem as though the book was written from a draft of the film, rather than the final version (as is true with many film novelizations), as a great deal of key dialogue is ever so slightly altered--enough to be very noticeable, and at times, a little frustrating--similar things happen with minor plot details, like where people get shot. Also terribly frustrating, the character Sherman McMasters (the main reason I wanted to read this book, and an actual historical person--played in the film by Michael Rooker) is referred to correctly by his actual name ONCE. Every other time he shows up they call him Frank. Huh?!?!? Still, I would recommend this book to anyone who loved the film and would enjoy a bit more detail. It's a very quick read.
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The dealings of Behan with the cowboys are more fleshed out in the novel, as well as Wyatt's relationship with Josephine, the actress. We see more of Maddie's laudanum problem, and get some extended scene transitions in many places.

Mainly, I tracked this book down because I wanted to know what on earth actually happened to poor McMasters to give the Cowboys an opportunity to kill him (historically, he survived the Earp Vendetta Ride, and died at an unknown time/place later). In the theatrical release, there is no transition at all: the Earp group arrives safely at Hooker's ranch, where he is seen alive and well, and then a couple scenes later, McMasters' dead body is dragged back from somewhere and thrown at Wyatt's feet to "get his attention." The extended version of the film shows an extra scene, where McMasters is on his horse, talking to Ringo at the Cowboy's camp, and he refuses to re-join them. They then threaten him, and the scene cuts back to his corpse being returned to Wyatt. The book finally gives me some actual plot progression between the two. While at the ranch, the group is approached by a Cowboy scout, specifically requesting that McMasters come to their camp to parley, and while he and Wyatt discuss that it probably won't do much good, he decides to go anyways. Queue repeated refusals to join back up with the gang (good boy), arrive at threats and murder (poor darling; his death in the book is significantly more violent than the film implies), end at returned corpse. Finally, some actual coherent plot progression. I honestly found that to be worth the price of the book.

[Stewart Hines · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a great novel version of the 1993 film. It captured the feel of the film and the year for me. I enjoyed it.

[Nathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really dug this one. Some pretty stark differences and details inserted while also playing up the big moments and lines—basically, what you’re after in a novelization.

[Judy Tarver · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good book but it does not have many more details than the movie.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is as good as the movie, but with more details. I would read it again!