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The Shootist

Play trailer Poster for The Shootist PG Released Aug 11, 1976 1h 39m Western Play Trailer Watchlist
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81% Tomatometer 26 Reviews 88% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
J.B. Books (John Wayne, in his final film role) is an aging gunfighter diagnosed with cancer who comes to Nevada at the turn of the 20th century. Renting a room from widowed Bond Rogers (Lauren Bacall) and her son Gillom (Ron Howard), Books is confronted by several people of questionable motives, including a man seeking to avenge his brother's death and a few who are looking to profit from Books' notoriety. Not wanting to die a quiet, painful death, Books devises a plan to go out with a bang.
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The Shootist

The Shootist

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Critics Consensus

Simple in story while sophisticated in texture, The Shootist is a fittingly elegiac swan song for one of Hollywood's most iconic stars.

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Critics Reviews

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Clayton Dillard Slant Magazine Don Siegel’s 1976 western The Shootist stars John Wayne in his final film appearance, though it’s perhaps just as notable for the muted nature of its regard for the pathology of violence. Apr 11, 2024 Full Review Variety Staff Variety Simply beautiful, and beautifully simple. Mar 26, 2009 Full Review Derek Adams Time Out A subtle, touching valedictory tribute to both Wayne and the Western in general. Feb 9, 2006 Full Review Emilie Black Cinema Crazed The Shootist is a solid Western with some deeper themes to its center, making the connection between the lead character and the lead actor strong given that the film is the last John Wayne ever did. Rated: 3.5/5 Apr 30, 2024 Full Review Richard Corliss New Times (magazine) Wayne is still both kinds of moving -- it’s the movie that’s sclerotic. Jun 22, 2022 Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy An elegiac Western for Wayne. Rated: 3.5/4 May 30, 2021 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (540) audience reviews
Robert S Ok this is not your typical john wayne western Theres no saloon comedic fights or dated humour Theres some serious themes and character development that will engage you Iits not a movie for the younger generations But for us more mature viewers an ageing gun slinger facing his swansong held my interest This is probably john wayne best acting performance and one wonders what he could have achieved critically had he not been so stereotyped in his long career Rated 4 out of 5 stars 10/29/24 Full Review CodyZamboni Z Moving elegy to John Wayne, in his last movie, Fine supporting cast headed by Lauren Bacall, James Stewart, and Ron Howard, Nice turn of the century production design showing that Wayne's dying gunfighter no longer fits in the modern world, Over a period of 8 days, Wayne''s gunfighter plans to go out on his terms, with dignity and reknown intact. Knowing that Wayne was ill at the time of filming, and this was his swan song, amplifies the passing of his legend and of old school Hollywood Westerns, Rated 4 out of 5 stars 09/28/24 Full Review Arnoldo P Not only a fitting tribute to the Duke, John Wayne, in his final movie, it is also a tribute to two of the greatest actors of a generation, Lauren Bacall and Jimmy Stewart. Also notable, with great enjoyment, is the appearance of some great character actors of the small screen, including Ron Howard (Happy Days), Richard Boone (Have Gun Will Travel), Harry Morgan (M*A*S*H), and Scatman Crothers (Chico and the Man). Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/25/24 Full Review Daniel S Corny, predictable, and unnecessary. Watching this movie without particular reverence for the big name actors and it’s like a high school play made into a movie. Hollywood being self-indulgent. Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 09/25/24 Full Review Logan D JB Books is an aging gunfighter dying of cancer. Deciding against experiencing severe pain later, he decides to go out shooting. The swan song of John Wayne, it's a tribute to his career that was full of westerns. Despite not having much you haven't seen if you've seen a lot of westerns, the film is charming and memorable. Wayne gives a subdued and heartfelt performance. Recommended Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/07/24 Full Review Blu B You almost can't seperate the character from the legend of the actor that gives his last ride. That being said even if you don't know anything about Wayne or that this was his last film it's got such multi faceted layers of symbolism and commentary it's hard not be drawn in and engaged the entire way. From a historical setting of the turn of the century, the dying of the old ways, new inventions add a layer to something already filled with tons of commentary on death and finding ones place in society for yourself and others. On top of that for fans of the genre, the fact that this is a golden era star giving his his last performance in a New Hollywood picture is poetic in itself on top of mirroring Wayne's real life only a short time later. Fundamentally speaking what carries this is this all this adds such tremendous weight for a western in a short period of time and provides a perfect heavy pacing and excellent cinematography and acting. Everyone is really good but it's Wayne who really makes it something special especially for fans who know this is last ride. The only minor complaints are the editing is really good but could be tighter with it feeling like stuff just happens at points but do add character and commentary. It would've been nice to maybe see Wayne interact with his old foes more but it still works well. The music is also really good but it's not used that much because of how serious the tone is and rightfully so but it may have helped to use it a bit more. This isn't the type of Western that you would think it would be and is more so a character study drama than anything else with ahrdly any action save for the end. It's a great way for The Duke to go out. Everyone should give this a shot. All Time Classic. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/07/24 Full Review Read all reviews
The Shootist

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Cast & Crew

Rooster Cogburn 45% 70% Rooster Cogburn Watchlist The White Buffalo 17% 51% The White Buffalo Watchlist The Outlaw Josey Wales 91% 91% The Outlaw Josey Wales Watchlist Comes a Horseman 67% 54% Comes a Horseman Watchlist A Fistful of Dynamite 92% 84% A Fistful of Dynamite Watchlist Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Movie Info

Synopsis J.B. Books (John Wayne, in his final film role) is an aging gunfighter diagnosed with cancer who comes to Nevada at the turn of the 20th century. Renting a room from widowed Bond Rogers (Lauren Bacall) and her son Gillom (Ron Howard), Books is confronted by several people of questionable motives, including a man seeking to avenge his brother's death and a few who are looking to profit from Books' notoriety. Not wanting to die a quiet, painful death, Books devises a plan to go out with a bang.
Director
Don Siegel
Producer
M.J. Frankovich, William Self
Screenwriter
Glendon Swarthout, Scott Hale, Miles Hood Swarthout
Distributor
Paramount Pictures
Production Co
Dino De Laurentiis Productions
Rating
PG
Genre
Western
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Aug 11, 1976, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 1, 2011
Runtime
1h 39m
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