The Shootist

1976

1h 40m

IMDb RATING

7.0/10

366

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3 Videos

43 Images

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.

Directors

Don Siegel

Writers

Miles Hood Swarthout(screenplay by)

Glendon Swarthout(novel by)

Scott Hale(screenplay by)

Stars

John Wayne

Lauren Bacall

Ron Howard

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Videos3

Photos43

Top cast

J.B. Books

Bond Rogers

Gillom Rogers

Dr. Hostetler

Mike Sweeney

Jack Pulford

Jay Cobb

Marshall Thibido

Beckum

Serepta

Dobkins

Moses

Burly Man

Barber

Streetcar Driver

Girl on Streetcar

School Teacher

Man Outside Metropole (uncredited)

Directors

Don Siegel

Writers

Miles Hood Swarthout(screenplay by)

Glendon Swarthout(novel by)

Scott Hale(screenplay by)

All cast & crew

Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

User reviews3

Review

Featured review

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 career (and life) with a poignant last hurrah. Based around the popular novel from Glendon Swarthout (Where The Boys Are), and directed by the astutely knowing Don Siegel (The Duel at Silver Creek), The Shootist begins with edited scenes from Books' (Wayne's) life, where he literally ages before us during this montage. Cut to his arrival in Carson City in 1901 and we are about to be witness to the end of an era. Wayne is backed up in his swansong by Lauren Bacall (Bond Rogers), James Stewart (Doc Hostelter) and an engagingly important Ron Howard (Gillom Rogers). While a big shout out has to go to Bruce Surtees' cinematography which perfectly captures the elegiac nature of it all. The message well and truly hits home and hard come the bloody finale, where with one nod of his head big John Wayne, alias J.B. Books, says more than words surely ever could. RIP - The Duke. 8/10

John Chard29 May, 2019