Val Kilmer's Hidden Western Legend Before Tombstone

Before becoming beloved as Doc Holliday in Tombstone, Val Kilmer initially showcased his Western skills by stepping into the role of another renowned outlaw in Gore Vidal’s movie. In that production, Kilmer brilliantly embodied the youthful gunslinger character, a carefree cowboy persona frequently depicted on screen over the years. Remarkably, even with the film’s shortcomings, Kilmer’s performance continues to resonate powerfully, nearly 40 years after its release.

Although “Billy the Kid” might not be as popularly known as movies like “Young Guns” and “Young Guns II”, it successfully captures the essence of Billy himself. Portraying him as young, good-looking, yet violent, Val Kilmer delivers a performance that does justice to the outlaw’s reputation. Although his portrayal doesn’t match up to Kevin Costner’s Doc Holliday in terms of polish, it’s evident that Val Kilmer excels at breathing life into legends from the Old West.

Val Kilmer Captures Billy the Kid’s Playful Yet Deadly Nature

The Kid Had a Sense of Humor in the Face of Danger

In a unique blend of wit and irony, Kilmer imbued the character of Billy the Kid with a distinctive flavor. Just like his portrayal of other roles, his depiction of William H. Bonney in Billy the Kid follows suit. The youth of Billy seems to be his greatest asset, yet it also proves to be his most significant vulnerability. Young men often don’t grasp the gravity of death as they ought to, which grants Billy an illusion of invincibility. This sense of immortality bolsters his fearless demeanor when faced with mortal danger, but it likewise impairs his judgment regarding the preservation of his life and that of his companions. His casual attitude towards being wounded and finding himself in precarious predicaments serves to lift the spirits of those around him when the situation appears hopeless.

One instance showing Billy’s calm composure even in the face of danger occurs when he plays high-stakes poker. Later, as he ventures into Old Mexico, Billy becomes a fugitive. Upon entering the town saloon, he is immediately identified by the local sheriff. The sheriff proposes a game of cards and lays down his ornate revolvers on the table as wager. Essentially, the sheriff’s bet to Billy is that the sheriff will murder someone before Billy, implying that the sheriff intends to gun down Billy himself.

Without the Sheriff realizing it, Billy secretly renders his guns useless by manipulating them while they are positioned in the middle of the table. As Billy departs, the Sheriff tries to gun him down from behind. However, Billy reveals he has taken all the bullets and uses them against the Sheriff, resulting in the Sheriff’s death. In the movie, after Billy is apprehended for the first time, sentenced to hang, and placed in a carriage, he can be seen joking with townsfolk, confident that he will manage to break free from his impending doom.

A different memory that surfaces is when Billy and one of his companions are out in the wilderness. Just as his comrade is stepping aside, Billy calls out for him to stay put as he spots a rattlesnake near his legs. Initially, Kilmer maintains a tense silence before admitting it was all a joke. If you look closely, you can catch several humorous elements that defined the comedy in Billy the Kid.

Val Kilmer Delivers Another Ode to the Old West in Billy the Kid

The Actor Stands Out in a Veteran Cast

As a movie enthusiast, I’d like to point out that Val Kilmer isn’t the only big name in the star-studded cast of “Billy the Kid”. A host of stage and screen veterans accompany him, each lending their unique talents to accentuate and refine his performance. Duncan Regehr, famously known for his chilling portrayal of Dracula in “The Monster Squad” and the lead role in Johnston McCulley’s “Zorro”, shares the screen with Kilmer, taking on the dual roles of Pat Garrett – both the protagonist and antagonist who meet a premature end. Regehr, with his Shakespearean acting background, brings a sense of weight to his character as Pat Garrett, creating a captivating contrast against Kilmer’s wild portrayal of Billy.

In the story, Garrett and Billy the Kid initially share friendship. However, when Garrett becomes a sheriff, their paths diverge, and he must pursue and capture his ex-partner. Unlike Billy, who is younger, Garrett is older with a family to take care of. At first, Garrett feels compassion for Billy and tries to provide him chances to leave the area. But when necessary actions arise, Garrett follows through with his duties. Sadly, it’s Billy who ends up causing his own downfall, as Garrett never desired harm come to him initially.

In addition to Regehr portraying Pat Garrett, Billy the Kid also stars Wilford Brimley as Governor Lew Wallace. By this time in his life, Brimley was a former U.S. Marine and an experienced actor, serving as yet another instance of powerful figures emphasizing the contrast between Billy and those around him. Though it may appear straightforward, both Wallace and Garry sport notable mustaches, underscoring the fact that clean-shaven Billy is still just a boy among men. Initially, Wallace offers to pardon Billy for all his misdeeds if he testifies against those who have wronged him in court; however, Wallace ultimately reneges on his promise, leaving Billy no choice but to flee and avoid the gallows.

Completing the roster of main antagonists is actor Ron O’Hurley. In the film “Billy the Kid,” O’Hurley portrays Union Army veteran James Dolan, a key character in the Lincoln County War. Dolan orchestrates the death of Billy’s mentor and role model, John Tunstall, because Tunstall refuses to sell his land to Dolan. Although it’s unclear if this was deliberate, the actors portraying villainous characters in “Billy the Kid” were all older than Kilmer, which further emphasized the age gap between Billy and those pursuing him on screen.

Billy the Kid Holds Up Even Though It Was Made for TV

Turner Classic Television Doesn’t Stall Kilmer’s Performance

Although Jim Kilmer’s portrayal of Billy the Kid in one movie differs from his depiction in another, as mentioned earlier, there are hints of Billy’s character in Doc if you carefully observe. Kilmer skillfully conveys a range of emotions as Billy, masking his lethal nature with a playful demeanor. Characters similarities can be drawn between the two, particularly in their dealings with law enforcement officials in “Billy the Kid” and Pat Garrett. Some perceive Billy as unsophisticated, but like Doc, he is far more intelligent than he appears. Both characters are multilingual and have a firm understanding of history. Billy and Doc, in their respective ways, are determined individuals who will stop at nothing to accomplish their tasks, even if it leads to violence.

The most striking contrast between the two movies might catch the audience’s attention: one had a budget of $25 million while the other, “Billy the Kid,” was made for less than five times that amount. Originally written by Gore Vidal for the 1958 Western film “The Left Handed Gun,” starring Paul Newman as Billy, this script later underwent changes and misrepresentations in the final film, according to Vidal. Interestingly, these alterations led to a misunderstanding about Billy’s handedness – due to the only known image showing him with his gun in his left hand, viewers assumed Billy was actually left-handed. However, it wasn’t until years later that it was revealed this photo had been flipped.

Written by	Directed by	Air Date	IMDb Rating
Gore Vidal	William A. Graham	May 10, 1989	5.7/10

Given the opportunity, I’d find myself bringing my unique take on “Billy the Kid” to life for the TNT cable channel. However, this endeavor wasn’t without its challenges. Crucial moments in Billy’s story were unfortunately omitted. For instance, the Lincoln County War, a pivotal part of his tale, is merely hinted at. His daring escape from jail is depicted through newspaper headlines, and his cattle rustling exploits are suggested in similar fashion. Regrettably, the intricate relationship between Billy and John Tunstall remains unexplored and undefined, leaving viewers unaware of the profound impact Tunstall had on Billy’s life.

In my opinion, the movie “Billy the Kid” is quite intriguing due to its limited budget and brief runtime. Unfortunately, this means that we don’t get to see much about Billy’s crew or his bond with them beyond a handful of scenes where some of his gang meet their end on screen. Many others are merely hinted at through dialogue. There’s also a romantic subplot between Billy and Celsa, portrayed by Julie Carmen, but their relationship remains somewhat unclear as they appear together infrequently.

However, what truly shines in this film is Billy himself, showcased brilliantly by his talent and skillful use of dialect. I can’t help but imagine that if given a larger budget and more developed script, “Billy the Kid” could easily hold its own against legendary characters like Doc Holliday, whether it be in any saloon or high-stakes poker game.

2025-06-02 20:06

Val Kilmer’s Hidden Western Legend Before Tombstone