Movies

You Won’t Believe Tombstone’s Most Accurate Detail!

BBG News

For nearly three decades since its debut in 1993, “Tombstone” remains one of the most outstanding western films from the ’90s, and maybe even among the best ever made. This movie depicts the adventures of Wyatt Earp (Kurt Russell) and his group, including his companion Doc Holliday (the late, legendary Val Kilmer). The film is filled with quotable lines and scenes that have left a lasting impact on popular culture, particularly Kilmer’s portrayal of the sharp-tongued Holliday.

The movie “Tombstone” is often seen as quite accurate when it comes to depicting real events, but it still takes some creative liberties for the sake of making a more entertaining film. One aspect that’s surprisingly accurate in the movie is the facial hair, which was common in the Old West of the 19th century and featured an array of impressive beards and mustaches. The film indeed does a great job showcasing this, as evident when you compare it to actual photos of the real-life characters. It seems the filmmakers put a lot of effort into getting those facial hair details just right.

The 19th Century’s Facial Hair Craze

Over the centuries, perceptions about facial hair in Western cultures have significantly transformed. In Ancient Greece, beards symbolized age and wisdom, but by the 1960s, they were often linked with Hippies and Beatniks. The 19th Century, however, witnessed a surge of facial hair experimentation, where men’s whiskers served as indicators of their social standing or manliness. Various styles, such as massive mutton chops, long beards with shaved upper lips, the “Burnside” (a combination of mustache and mutton chops named after General Ambrose Burnside), and many other creative variations were popular during this time.

For those who leaned towards a subtler appearance, the simple mustache provided ample chances for individual style. Some men sported handlebar mustaches larger than what even the trendiest Brooklyn hipster could imagine. Others opted for a sleeker, more groomed style to complement their high-end attire and premium colognes, symbolizing their affluence and social standing. Facial hair served as an effortless method for men to demonstrate their masculinity, distinguishing them from the realm of young boys. Wyatt Earp and his posse would likely have used their facial hair to convey that they were not to be trifled with.

‘Tombstone’s Spectacular ‘Staches

It might seem like the actors in the film “Tombstone” merely attached artificial mustaches to their faces and moved on, but contrary to assumptions, this wasn’t the truth. Actor Michael Biehn, who portrayed outlaw Johnny Ringo, revealed in a 2010 interview with this publication that everyone except one actually grew their own mustaches for the movie. As Biehn put it: “Everybody else grew real mustaches for the film.

One fellow named Jon Tenney was in question. Unfortunately, he didn’t have the chance to cultivate his own mustache as he was employed before that. They had to attach a false mustache to him instead. I get the sense he sometimes felt like the runt of the litter due to it not being his genuine mustache. He had to remove his mustache every day.

In an environment graced by the impressive mustaches of Russell, Kilmer, Biehn, Sam Elliott, Powers Boothe, and Bill Paxton, it’s no wonder Tenney might have felt a tad embarrassed sporting a fake one. After all, this is the life of a working actor. In a humorous parallel to their time period, mustaches on set symbolized prestige much like they did in the 19th century.

The tombstone is recognized for numerous aspects, yet one of its most significant cultural impacts is its vast array of mustaches, which ranks among the best in Hollywood’s past. These seemingly ordinary facial hair styles serve as a symbol of the film’s dedication to historical authenticity, and offer actors a chance to immerse themselves more deeply in their characters. Unfortunately, Jon Tenney didn’t have enough time to grow his own for the shoot, but when it comes to the Old West, even a false mustache is superior to no mustache at all.

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2025-04-20 18:33

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