Doc

Doc is a 1971 revisionist Western film that introduces audiences to a different take on the legendary frontier figures Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday. Directed by the renowned Frank Perry, the film stars Stacy Keach, Faye Dunaway, and Harris Yulin, each delivering compelling performances that draw the audience into the rugged, gritty world of the Wild West. The movie is a blending narrative of fact and fiction as it deviates from the conventional sanitized Hollywood versions of the same tale and provides a much darker, complex portrayal of its protagonists.

In Doc, Stacy Keach delivers an intense performance as the legendary gunslinger and consumptive gambler, Doc Holliday. Keach presents a robust depiction of Holliday, complete with impeccable South Georgian accent, evoking both the charm and ferocity of this multifaceted character. Doc Holliday, a tuberculosis-afflicted dentist turned professional gambler, is portrayed not as invincible but rather as a flawed, vulnerable human being, struggling with his declining health and ensnared in a brutal, unforgiving environment. His portrayal gives the audience a rich, in-depth look at a character who, despite his notorious reputation, presents a more nuanced and human perspective of a man trying to survive.

The film also features the remarkable Faye Dunaway as Kate Elder, known as Big Nose Kate, the common-law wife of Doc Holliday, and a historical figure in her own right. Dunaway deftly brings to life the spirited, independent, and complex woman who loves Holliday in a world not known for its empathy. She successfully portrays a confident woman striving to navigate her way in a male-dominated society, making her character both bold and sympathetic. Her performance adds depth and a compelling romantic subplot to the film.

Harris Yulin plays Wyatt Earp, a role that challenges the conventional clean-cut hero image associated with the name. Yulin’s Wyatt Earp is political, ambitious, and ambiguous, leaving audiences with a different understanding of this moulded hero of the American frontier. Rather than focusing on Earp's usual depiction as stalwart defender of the law, the film delves into his ambitious nature and the politically motivated acts that contrast starkly with his traditional image.

The movie is set in the lawless town of Tombstone, Arizona, including the notorious gunfight at the O.K. Corral. However, it's interesting to note that the film’s focus is not on the gunfight itself, but rather on its causes and its aftermath. Perry’s direction effectively uses this notorious event as a backdrop to explore the intricate relationships and corrupted politics in this almost anarchic Wild West town.

The film's screenplay, penned by Pete Hamill, is finely crafted, full of grim authenticity and psychological depth, bringing forth a narrative that mixes reality with folklore. It gives viewers a vibrant re-imagination of famous historical figures, a version that overlaps with and often contradicts the well-established myths of the Old West, hence setting itself apart from mainstream Westerns.

What is quite evident in Doc is that it isn't your typical Hollywood Western. The film focuses on personalities, and the context and the consequences of their actions. Ripe with political intrigue, treacherous friendships, and complex romantic relationships, it uses these elements to provide a critical view of Old West mythology.

Despite the violence and chaos depicted in Doc, the cinematography by Richard Moore is remarkable. The rugged wilderness of the Arizona desert is captured brilliantly, lending a stark beauty to the ruthless, brutal nature of life in the frontier town of Tombstone.

Doc, as a whole, is a film that takes us beyond the glossy surface of Western folklore to explore the darker, more complex facets of history. Whether you're a fan of Western movies or just someone interested in character studies and historical reinterpretation, this film presents an intriguing watch.