Tombstone is widely believed to be among the best Westerns of the 1990s, with its inspired storytelling and innovative filmmaking helping it to forge a strong legacy for itself that breaks free of the genre’s many constraints. The film was released at a time when Westerns were steadily decreasing in popularity, but Tombstone managed to get audiences back on the genre’s side with a gripping true story about friendship, violence, and revenge.

Much of Tombstone’s narrative follows the infamous Doc Holliday, a renowned lawman who helped his friend Wyatt Earp during their well-known cleansing of the Cowboy gang in the Wild West. The film follows the pair as they seek vengeance for Earp’s brother and protect the citizens of Tombstone, Arizona from the lawlessness on their doorsteps. Val Kilmer’s portrayal of Doc Holliday is the best part of the film, and there are several details that connect him to the real-life lawman he’s based on.

"Lunger" Is A Reference To Doc Holliday Having Tuberculosis In Tombstone

The Character Is Terminally Sick In Tombstone

Throughout Tombstone, Holliday is referred to as “lunger” by the other residents of the town, which is intended as a reference to his debilitating illness. The character’s tuberculosis plays a large role in the story, as he’s frequently seen coughing and struggling, which makes him appear weak in the eyes of both his enemies and his friends. He’s a perfect example of a character with strong values and ideologies but without the physical strength to apply them, which is part of the figure’s tragedy.

Holliday’s sickness comes into play again in Tombstone’s ending, as he overcomes his physical weakness to take Earp’s place in the duel against Johnny Ringo. This speaks volumes to Holliday’s character and pushes home the film’s central message of persistence in the face of adversity and unwavering loyalty to one’s friends.

Doc Holliday's Illness Is Also Why He Sweats & Coughs

The Sickness Takes A Physical Toll On Holliday

Doc Holliday is often seen sweating in Tombstone, which is a clear way of communicating his sickness to the audience. The film does a great job of characterizing its figures without words: Holliday’s illness makes him appear frail, Earp’s body language betrays his anger and violent tendencies, and Ringo’s attitude is always one of arrogance and pride.

This is exactly what makes Tombstone so engaging - there are elements of the characters that exist beyond the words on the page, and it makes them feel much more well-rounded as a result.

This is exactly what makes Tombstone so engaging - there are elements of the characters that exist beyond the words on the page, and it makes them feel much more well-rounded as a result. Holliday is perhaps the best example of this, as his sickness gives him another dimension of empathy and relatability, but it never prevents him from being the coolest character on the screen.