Prior to the 1990s films focusing on “Tombstone” and “Wyatt Earp,” this 1971 movie already aimed to present an accurate portrayal of John "Doc" Holliday, Wyatt Earp's close friend and participant in the shootout at the OK Corral. Running just a little over ninety minutes, the film avoids many typical western tropes and quickly gets into its central narrative. Doc Holliday (Stacy Keach) purchases Katie Elder (Faye Dunaway), a prostitute, from Ike Clanton (Michael Witney), and brings her to Tombstone, Arizona, where he reconnects with his friend Wyatt Earp (Harris Yulin). Earp has ambitions for political power within the territory and wants to control law enforcement, while Holliday is more interested in gambling. Their friendship begins to weaken due to disagreements about Katie Elder and their differing views on upholding the law, but they reconcile before the final confrontation at the OK Corral, which leads to several significant character deaths. There are a few moments that feel somewhat subdued and progress too slowly. The film’s strongest aspect is undoubtedly the performances of the main actors, all seasoned professionals. Keach delivers an exceptional portrayal of Doc Holliday, unlike any I've seen before; his movements are graceful and refined, as one would expect from a professional gambler, and he makes acting seem incredibly easy. Dunaway embodies Katie Elder, a woman who struggles to alter herself to satisfy others’ expectations for a relationship. She avoids the usual clichés associated with her character, presenting a realistic depiction rather than a romanticized version. Yulin, typically recognized as a supporting actor, shines in his role as Wyatt Earp; he is intimidating and delivers threatening lines with palpable menace, portraying him as anything but a straightforward hero. His speech to the townspeople after the gunfight, while standing near a corpse and reaffirming his commitment to cleaning up Tombstone, is particularly memorable. Despite some slow pacing and uneven editing, "Doc" is an outstanding and overlooked western that warrants a dedicated following. I certainly suggest watching it.

Source on TMDB