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Tombstone Today
By the People, for the People
Quigley Down Under's Showdown Outshines Tombstone
This forgotten '90s Western has a perfect showdown that rivals the classic Tombstone gunfight.
Apr. 12, 2026 at 4:41pm
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The climactic showdown in Quigley Down Under showcases the film's gritty, high-stakes Western action.Tombstone TodayWhile Tombstone's famous gunfight at the O.K. Corral gets all the attention, the 1990 Western Quigley Down Under features an incredible showdown that many consider the best of the decade. Starring Tom Selleck as a sharpshooter who travels to Australia, the film was overshadowed by the success of Dances with Wolves but has since developed a loyal cult following.
Why it matters
Quigley Down Under shines a light on the horrific treatment of Indigenous Australians in colonial times, while also delivering a thrilling Western adventure. Though it was a commercial disappointment, the film's showdown between Selleck's Quigley and the villainous Marston, played by Alan Rickman, is now considered one of the genre's all-time great sequences.
The details
In Quigley Down Under, Selleck plays Matthew Quigley, a sharpshooter who travels to Australia after being lured there by a wealthy cattle baron named Marston (Rickman). However, Marston's true intentions are to use Quigley to kill Indigenous Australians. The two men soon become enemies, leading to an epic showdown. Throughout the film, Quigley has refused to use a pistol, preferring his one-shot rifle. Marston assumes this means Quigley is terrible with revolvers and forces him into a quick-draw contest. But Quigley proves him wrong, swiftly shooting down Marston and his henchmen.
- Quigley Down Under was released in 1990.
- The film debuted shortly after the release of the acclaimed Western Dances with Wolves in 1990.
The players
Matthew Quigley
The protagonist of Quigley Down Under, played by Tom Selleck. Quigley is a skilled sharpshooter who travels to Australia and becomes embroiled in a conflict with a wealthy cattle baron.
Marston
The villainous cattle baron in Quigley Down Under, played by Alan Rickman. Marston lures Quigley to Australia under false pretenses in order to use him to kill Indigenous Australians.
What they’re saying
“I said I never had much use for one. Never said I didn't know how to use it.”
— Matthew Quigley
The takeaway
While Tombstone may be the more acclaimed Western of the 1990s, Quigley Down Under features an unforgettable showdown sequence that rivals the famous gunfight at the O.K. Corral. Though the film was overshadowed by other Westerns of the era, it has developed a loyal cult following for its thrilling action, complex themes, and standout performances.
