Wyatt Earp and the Cowboy War

Well, if you only know Wyatt Earp from the movies, such as Tombstone (which is a great movie, BTW), then this will open your eyes to the complexity of the real Wyatt Earp.

It wasn't all so cut and dried as the movies make it out to be. And events didn't quite go down the way the movies claim. It's actually much more interesting than that!

This docu-drama does a great job of layering in the events, all the way from the local events in Tombstone, to the reverberations they caused politically and economically.

The drama parts are well acted and the story rattles along at a great pace. They manage to end each episode on a cliffhanger, too.

And a special mention for Ed Harris' outstanding narration!

I binge-watched it in one evening and i highly recommend it!

This docudrama about the West, and more particularly, Tombstone and the Earps, is one of the best written, if not the best written, stories about what really happened. Through multiple sources looking at multiple aspects, we get a full idea of what was happening. How London to New York to Washington to Arizona all come into play between the Civil War, the railroad, the stagecoach, cattle, the newspapers, etc. Is a wonder. Marvelous writing and homework on the part of the producers and writers. It's literally like nothing you've ever seen before.

Why not a 10? Well, it's the acting. The acting isn't up to a 10 level. Everything else is, so that's why it gets a 9. The acting isn't bad, but when everything else is perfect, it could use a slight boast.

My great-great grandfather was a Texas Ranger in Bell County, Texas during the 1870's. He participated in what is believed to have been the last known battle against the Comanche Indians near present day San Saba, Texas. His photograph used to be on display at the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum in Waco, Texas.

I have always been absorbed by stories of Wyatt Earp, Billy the Kid, the James gang...etc. I have read books on those subjects and watched all the documentaries, tv shows, and movies. I've visited Tombstone, Arizona and walked inside the OK Corral. I even visited Jessie James's family home in Missouri. But nothing I've seen or read was as entertaining or informative as "Wyatt Earp and The Cowboy War". It does a deep dive into everything the movies and books never seem to accurately or sufficiently cover. I learned things I never knew before.

It is narrated by Ed Harris, who I'm a big fan of. The reenactments are great and are filmed in a very dramatic and entertaining way. The casting, directing and acting is very well done. I also thought the music and narration were both top notch. I couldn't stop watching it and was sad when ended.

When clicking play on a title like this you settle in to learn some history, spoken by a dry cowboy sounding narrator and a series of academics who don't seem like they'd last 5 mins in the west and then finally the occasional cut scene which.... well. Yeah.

From the moment this series starts you can tell things are going to be different. The slick editing, great music and scenes which frankly wouldn't look out of place in "Deadwood", Wyatt Earp and the Cowboy War pulls you in and keeps you there.

It feels like watching The Defiant Ones for the first time, knowing that what you are watching is redefining a genre.

Ed Harris's narration is spot on, casual and humorous, keeping the story going in a nearly 'telling you over a beer' kind of a way. Meanwhile the cut scenes are lavish, cinematic and captivating.

The guy who plays Wyatt Earp (Tim Fellingham) is the perfect casting to counter Ed's chilled vibe as he blasts his way through the west with a quick draw and a chilling stare. Surrounded by a great supporting cast they bring this little known and vastly complex story to life in a way that feels new and bang on the times.

Although there are plenty of documentaries that do the acting along the way as they're explaining the history, the pacing and overall storytelling is just really fun. It's different than other acting documentaries I've seen for that reason. I especially love how the historical context gives more support to the acting. And they really did a great job casting Wyatt Earp. He's borderline perfect. Even if he is Australian ;)

It's different than other acting documentaries I've seen for that reason. I especially love how the historical context gives more support to the acting. And they really did a great job casting Wyatt Earp.