The Shootist

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The Shootist

PG

Released Aug 11, 1976

1h 39m

Western

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

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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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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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

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Variety Staff

Variety

Simply beautiful, and beautifully simple.

Mar 26, 2009

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Derek Adams

Time Out

A subtle, touching valedictory tribute to both Wayne and the Western in general.

Feb 9, 2006

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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

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Richard Corliss

New Times (magazine)

Wayne is still both kinds of moving -- it’s the movie that’s sclerotic.

Jun 22, 2022

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

An elegiac Western for Wayne.

Rated: 3.5/4

May 30, 2021

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Brad S. R

An adequate end to John Wayne's storied film career.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/24/25

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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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