A Sacrilege, Perhaps
Oct. 1st, 2008 09:26 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
bimoI don't know if anyone else on my f-list ever has ever experienced this, but sometimes, when watching classic movies, I catch myself thinking: "This so should have a fandom!"
The latest case in a long row is Gunfight at the OK Corral, US 1957, by John Sturges. Based on the legendary historical shoot out, it's got everything that it needs to capture one's imagination, starting with an intriguing plot, great visuals, fabulous direction, soundtrack andeye candy acting. Young Kirk Douglas. Burt Lancaster. Very young Dennis Hopper. Oh and did I mention DeForest Kelley as additional bonus for Trekkers?
The characters and the messed-up dynamics they have with each other are a real treat for the sophisticated angst fan. Just imagine a terminally ill gambler and occasional gun fighter, haunted by a tragic past, flying on auto-destruct, and, due to circumstances, befriended by an outwardly doubtless and pitch-perfect law man.
Amazing potential for shippers, regardless whether of the slash or het conviction, as central facets of both male protagonists are also reflected in relationships they have with women. In the case of the law man, Wyatt Earp, the film grants you a melancholic, little, never-quite fulfilled romance, a story of "If Not's" and "Could Have Been's." Doc Holliday and mistress Kitty Fisher, in contrast, are painted obsessive and dark, their screwed-up dynamics tragic and almost painful to watch.
As both Earp and Holliday, against all odds, actually do survive the great show-down, there's enormous potential for continuation, either backed up by historical canon, or as AU as one pleases, depending on taste.
Just imagine the possibilities for debate, alternate interpretations of characters and history. Or, on the not so nice side, the flame wars initiated in order to silence defenders of Kitty's actions…
This film so should have a fandom.And some of my favourite authors writing Holliday stories ;-)
The latest case in a long row is Gunfight at the OK Corral, US 1957, by John Sturges. Based on the legendary historical shoot out, it's got everything that it needs to capture one's imagination, starting with an intriguing plot, great visuals, fabulous direction, soundtrack and
The characters and the messed-up dynamics they have with each other are a real treat for the sophisticated angst fan. Just imagine a terminally ill gambler and occasional gun fighter, haunted by a tragic past, flying on auto-destruct, and, due to circumstances, befriended by an outwardly doubtless and pitch-perfect law man.
Amazing potential for shippers, regardless whether of the slash or het conviction, as central facets of both male protagonists are also reflected in relationships they have with women. In the case of the law man, Wyatt Earp, the film grants you a melancholic, little, never-quite fulfilled romance, a story of "If Not's" and "Could Have Been's." Doc Holliday and mistress Kitty Fisher, in contrast, are painted obsessive and dark, their screwed-up dynamics tragic and almost painful to watch.
As both Earp and Holliday, against all odds, actually do survive the great show-down, there's enormous potential for continuation, either backed up by historical canon, or as AU as one pleases, depending on taste.
Just imagine the possibilities for debate, alternate interpretations of characters and history. Or, on the not so nice side, the flame wars initiated in order to silence defenders of Kitty's actions…
This film so should have a fandom.
