If you’ve watched Tombstone recently, or even if it’s been a few years, then you’re likely familiar with the iconic rivalry between Val Kilmer‘s Doc Holliday and Michael Biehn‘s Johnny Ringo. From the moment these two first meet at the Oriental Saloon, they hate each other. It’s as simple as that. But of all the scenes between them in the film, there’s one that has stood out to audiences for quite some time — and no, it’s not the famous “I’ll be your huckleberry” gunfight. No, we’re talking about the battle of whits between Doc and Ringo, where the two gunslingers throw Latin at the other as everyone else (us included) watches dumbfounded. But what are they actually saying in this scene? We have some answers for you.
Doc Holliday and Johnny Ringo Exchange Threats In This Famous ‘Tombstone’ Scene
It’s not until 36 minutes into Tombstone that Doc and Ringo officially meet. At the beginning of the picture, Ringo reveals himself as quite a formidable threat, quoting the Book of Revelation and killing an unarmed priest. But when the Earp brothers waltz into Tombstone, the Cowboy’s role in town is threatened. So, when he confronts an intoxicated (and profusely sweating) Doc Holliday, one of the first things he notes is that the former dentist is drunk. In response, Doc replies, “In vino veritas,” which translated means “in wine there is truth,” or, more literally, “truth in wine.” Doc couldn’t care less about Ringo’s view of him, but he is shocked when Ringo responds in kind. “Age quod agis,” Ringo replies, which can either mean “do what you do” or “watch what you do.” This surprises Doc, as he, like most, seemed to assume that Ringo to be uneducated. Now, there are two possible meanings to Ringo’s words here. The first is that he’s mocking Doc, encouraging him to drink as it’s “what he does best.” Another interpretation may be that Ringo is trying to bait Doc into “doing what he does best,” in this case gunplay.
Addressing Ringo’s words, the sickly Doc says, “Credat Judaeus Apella, non ego.” While this literally translates to “let the Jew believe Apella, not I” or “Let Apella the Jew believe it, not I.” This is a quote from the Roman poet Horace’s “Satires.” As with its original meaning, it’s clear that Doc is using it as a dismissal of Ringo, which only angers the gunslinger further. It’s here that the scene heats up, and Ringo inches closer toward his sidearm. “Luventus stultorum magister,” Ringo replies fiercely, which means that “youth is the teacher of fools.” Just as Doc dismissed his previous statement, so does Ringo do the same here, claiming that Doc’s lesser gunfighting experience will ultimately be his downfall — and he will be there to give it to him. It’s a good threat, but Doc’s response is far cooler, and foreshadows how their story will ultimately end.
“In pace requiescat,” Doc says to Ringo, which essentially means “rest in peace.” Throwing Ringo’s warning back at him, Doc’s thinly veiled threat hits a nerve with the Cowboy. It’s here that Ringo pulls a gun on Doc and things get heated. In many ways, this sequence is the main precursor to where Ringo and Doc will end up in their final climactic battle, and screenwriter Kevin Jarre was quite brilliant in the way he presented this entire rivalry. As these two gunslingers underestimate each other, this scene reveals that they are on a far more equal footing than previously thought. Both men have their own issues with the bottle, and they resolve to hate each other, perhaps due to the very things they see and cannot stand in themselves. It’s an intense scene, but one that plays so much better when you understand exactly what’s being said and know where their story is ultimately headed.
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This Is What ‘Tombstone’s Most Quotable, Fan-Favorite Line Really Means
Holliday’s iconic line “I’m your huckleberry” is often misinterpreted as a threat.
‘Tombstone’ Gave Us One of the Best Western Rivalries on the Big Screen
While many have noted that Tombstone would not have been made without Kurt Russell (and they’re certainly right), the film would not have been nearly as effective without Val Kilmer as Doc Holliday. It’s no secret that many consider Kilmer’s role in Tombstone to be his best performance, and scenes like his Latin exchange with Ringo prove this beyond a shadow of a doubt. But the rest of the cast is just as important to the success of Tombstone, and that includes Michael Biehn as Ringo. Together, these two push each other to their limits throughout the picture, and although there are a host of fantastic characters to love and choose from, the hatred between Ringo and Doc is by far the most engaging on-screen dynamic in the film. Knowing the words these two speak upon their first meeting, we gain some additional insight into this legendary Western rivalry.
