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The Shootist

Play trailer Poster for The Shootist PG 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

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M.T. F No other actor had a better swan song. John Wayne went out with the perfect film and one of his best performances. And he had an outstanding cast working with him. Don Siegel's direction is flawless and Elmer Bernstein's score comes across as a valentine to Wayne, whom he'd worked with several times. Truly a magnificent film, and one to show a person who states Wayne wasn't much of an actor. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/01/25 Full Review Leaburn O Awhile since I’ve seen a Western. This is a gunslinger going out on his own terms as the Wild West came to an end. Wayne is better than usual in this one and it’s a decent enough tale. Watched on DVD. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 08/13/25 Full Review Stephen C Success in 1 hour and 39 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/20/25 Full Review Brad S. R An adequate end to John Wayne's storied film career. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/24/25 Full Review 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 Read all reviews
The Shootist

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Cast & Crew

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Don Siegel

Director

John Wayne

John Bernard Books

Lauren Bacall

Bond Rogers

James Stewart

Dr. E.W. Hostetler

Ron Howard

Gillom Rogers

Richard Boone

Mike Sweeney

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The Shootist

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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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