The Shootist

1976 100 min ★ 7.1 Western

Afflicted with a terminal illness John Bernard Books, the last of the legendary gunfighters, quietly returns to Carson City for medical attention from his old friend Dr. Hostetler. Aware that his days are numbered, the troubled man seeks solace and peace in a boarding house run by a widow and her son. However, it is not Books' fate to die in peace, as he becomes embroiled in one last valiant battle.

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Cast

John Wayne

J.B. Books

Lauren Bacall

Bond Rogers

Ron Howard

Gillom Rogers

James Stewart

Dr. Hostetler

Richard Boone

Mike Sweeney

Hugh O'Brian

Jack Pulford

Bill McKinney

Jay Cobb

Harry Morgan

Marshall Thibido

John Carradine

Beckum

Sheree North

Serepta

Details

Director

Don Siegel

Screenplay

Miles Hood Swarthout

Tagline

"He's got to face a gunfight once more to live up to his legend once more. To win just one more time."

Status

Released

Original Language

EN

Revenue

$13,400,000

Production

The De Laurentiis Company, Paramount Pictures

Reviews

J

John Chard

May 29, 2019

★ 8/10

The big man bows out and leaves an indelible mark. Legendary gunfighter J.B. Books rides into Carson City, diagnosed with terminal cancer he has a short time to live. After taking a room at the widow Bond Rogers' house, he becomes something of a mentor to Bond's son, Gillom. Dignified, eloquent, perhaps even incredibly sad, The Shootist mirrors John Wayne's personal situation and closes his ...

B

barrymost

September 7, 2019

★ 8/10

I publicly take back every negative thing I ever said about John Wayne. I was so far wrong in claiming that he was just a very famous, highly overrated actor, but I blame my misconceptions on the fact that I was probably introduced to him via some of his lesser movies, or perhaps just not the kind of movie I like or usually bother with. I never have been big on Westerns, but after viewing The Ma...

C

CinemaSerf

June 3, 2023

★ 7/10

John Wayne's final big screen role sees him playing a terminally-ill gunfighter determined to go out with his boots on - and to take as much local riff-raff with his as he goes. He settles down in a boarding house run by a slightly puritanical widow - Lauren Bacall, and her teenage son played by Ron Howard. Once his doctor, James Stewart, has confirmed the worst, he manipulates some of the local n...