Doc Holliday (Val Kilmer) confronts Frank McLaury (Robert John Burke) in 'Tombstone'Image via Buena Vista Pictures
By
Michael John Petty
Published Feb 5, 2026, 5:54 PM EST
Michael John Petty is a Senior Author for Collider who spends his days writing, in fellowship with his local church, and enjoying each new day with his wife and daughters. At Collider, he writes features and reviews, and has interviewed the cast and crew of Dark Winds. In addition to writing about stories, Michael has told a few of his own. His first work of self-published fiction – The Beast of Bear-tooth Mountain – became a #1 Best Seller in "Religious Fiction Short Stories" on Amazon in 2023. His Western short story, The Devil's Left Hand, received the Spur Award for "Best Western Short Fiction" from the Western Writers of America in 2025. Michael currently resides in North Idaho with his growing family.
Sign in to your Collider account
Add Us On
follow
Follow
followed
Followed
Like
Like
Thread
Log in
Here is a fact-based summary of the story contents:
Try something different:
Show me the facts
Explain it like I’m 5
Give me a lighthearted recap
Tombstone is simply one of the greatest Westerns ever made. There’s no question about it. From the dynamic characters and the witty dialogue to the incredibly well-paced action sequences and historical accuracy (well, some of the time), the picture is just a masterclass in filmmaking, particularly of the Western genre. Whether you love the film for Kurt Russell's ability to drive the narrative forward or the countless one-liners that cannot be beat, there's a clear reason that Tombstone continues to find an audience over 30 years later. But there is one line that the late Val Kilmer's Doc Holliday speaks in the film that is slightly changed from the history books — and believe it or not, the movie does it far better.
'Tombstone' Reworked Doc Holliday's Famous Quote — and We're Not Complaining
One of the greatest gunfights in all Western cinema, Tombstone's most pivotal moment is its adaptation of the historic "Gunfight at the O.K. Corral." If you have ever been to Tombstone, Arizona to see the reenactments of the epic battle for yourself, you're likely aware that the 1993 picture gets most of it right. Sure, there is some Hollywood embellishment here, and it may not be as accurate as, say, Kevin Costner's Wyatt Earp, but for the most part, Tombstone does a decent job. Case in point, according to an 1881 newspaper article’s account of the infamous gunfight, Frank McLaury crossed Fremont Street just in time to shoot at Holliday. The Doc pursued McLaury, and both he and Morgan Earp fired on the Cowboy. Still, McLaury got the drop on Holliday, stating, "I've got you now." In return, Holliday replied, "Blaze away! You're a daisy if you have." Afterward, both Doc and Morgan Earp shoot and kill McLaury in the street.
Admittedly, it's not a bad line, but Doc's scripted words in the 1993 movie are far more threatening than they sound in the historical account. In the film, these events still take place in largely the same way, with McLaury (Robert John Burke) getting the drop on Doc. In fact, the battle between them ends the same way too, with Doc and Morgan (Bill Paxton) both shooting McLaury simultaneously. The only difference here comes in Holliday's cool reply to the outlaw. "You're a daisy if you do," Doc says, right before firing at McLaury, who quickly falls dead.
Related
10 Movies To Watch if You Love 'Tombstone'
"You called down the thunder, well, now you've got it!"
Posts By William SmithThere's no denying that the Tombstone remixed version of the line just sounds cooler than the actual historical account, even if the real Doc Holliday's attitude in the face of danger was something to admire. The way Kilmer speaks these words, with full confidence despite one of his sidearms being out of bullets, is exactly what makes this so effective — not to mention highly quotable. While "You're a daisy if you have" isn't bad, the scripted "You're a daisy if you do" is both simpler and far more interesting. Considering Frank McLaury is instantly killed for his troubles, Doc makes good on the line, which comes across far more easily than the words the real Holliday spoke over a century ago.
Kurt Russell May Have Saved the Movie, but Val Kilmer Is What Makes 'Tombstone' Iconic
It's long been said that Kurt Russell essentially directed Tombstone, and while the particulars of that statement are still heavily debated, nobody denies his importance in seeing the film through to completion. However, for as much as Russell was responsible for the final project, Val Kilmer was equally crucial to the picture's success. Nobody played Doc Holliday quite like Kilmer, though others played the role well. Going above and beyond, Kilmer made the part his own, emphasizing all of Doc's clear vices and historical troubles with a clear dramatic flare unmatched by any of his (just as capable) co-stars. It's no wonder that Doc is the most quotable character in the picture, and even some of his throwaway lines have taken on new life through fans who simply cannot get enough of the Western. We certainly can't.
Tombstone
Like Follow Followed R Western Action Release Date December 25, 1993 Runtime 130 minutes Director George P. Cosmatos Writers Kevin Jarre Producers Bob Misiorowski, James Jacks, Sean DanielCast
See All-
Kurt Russell
Wyatt Earp
-
Val Kilmer
Doc Holliday
Expand
Collapse
-
Tombstone
-
Val Kilmer
CL Report: Subscribe and never miss what matters
Dive into the world of entertainment with Collider, delivering the latest news, reviews, and exclusive updates from movies, TV, and pop culture Subscribe By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.What To Watch
July 20, 2025
The 72 Best Movies on Netflix Right Now
Trending Now
The 50 Best Thriller Movies of All Time, Ranked According to IMDb
The Greatest Sci-Fi Quote in TV History Wasn't Said on 'Star Trek'
'John Wick' Is Named 'John Wick' Because Keanu Reeves Couldn't Get the Original Title Right
