The Untouchables (1987) vs. Tombstone (1993)

Which movie dealing with a legendary lawman do you think was better, or did a better job?

Tombstone had more emotional punching moments for me, but I didn't like the third act, as it just shows a montage of Earp getting all the villains, and then that's it pretty much. Not sure if a third act should have a montage as it's big piece.

The Untouchables has a stronger 3rd act considerably but the set up wasn't as effective quite.

What do you think?

It's been a while since I've seen Tombstone, but I did watch The Untouchables somewhat recently and was kind of let down by it.

The Untouchables felt like someone summarizing a story, if that makes any sense. It didn't really grab me on a personal level. It's rightfully praised for certain sequences (like the train station), but I left it feeling like I wanted more.

Tombstone has much more memorable characters and performances. Since that's the kind of thing that sticks with me more, I'd have to give the edge to Tombstone..

Tombstone also gifted us with the delightful phrase "I'm your huckleberry" and that's worth at least a few points.

I'd say The Untouchables is the better, more consistent film. Tombstone has a handful of good characters and moments but I think it's the one that doesn't come together, not just during its third act.

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I have problems with both movies.

Brian de palma is not the right director for The Untouchables . So the blend of his style and the genre was not proper.

Tombstone is also a weird western with nothing new to bring to the table.

So in being less bad the vote goes to The Untouchables.

The Untouchables is more tolerable.

Untouchables hands down. I have never been big on westerns but I love gangster films.

Tombstone

This shouldn't be a blowout win but I vote Tombstone.

Tombstone.

An interesting side discussion (well, at least for me) might be to compare Wyatt Earp with The Untouchables, both starring Kevin Costner.

Living a hoop 'n holler from the real Tombstone, a favorite question I see on FB is: Who was the better Earp, Kent Russell (Tombstone) or Kevin Costner (Wyatt Earp). Most favor Kent Russell, I think mostly because he's a likable guy in general and he delivers the more showy performance. But I vote for Costner in Wyatt Earp. I'm not a history buff, but I suspect the real Wyatt Earp was nothing like the Kent Russell version. Costner has the courage to play Earp as cold and unlikable and far less heroic than the myth. (And there's a favorite quote, when Wyatt's telling Ed Masterson (Bill Pullman) he's "too affable" and his carefree approach will get him killed. "You're not a deliberate man, Ed. I don't sense that about you.")

So for my two bits I'd vote instead for the movie Wyatt Earp, which feels more authentic to me than either the melodramatic Tombstone or the showy Untouchables.

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Scarecrow: I haven't got a brain ... only straw. Dorothy: How can you talk if you haven't got a brain? Scarecrow: I don't know. But some people without brains do an awful lot of talking, don't they? Dorothy: Yes, I guess you're right.

I liked The Untouchables more than Tombstone; and I liked Wyatt Earp more than The Untouchables.

That's the cool thing about sharing our subjective experiences; everyone has a right to share their opinion, especially a wrong one.

The Untouchables (1987)