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      The Shootist

      PG Released Aug 11, 1976 1 hr. 39 min. Western List
      81% 26 Reviews Tomatometer 88% 5,000+ Ratings Audience Score 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. Read More Read Less Watch on Fandango at Home Premiered Oct 10 Buy Now

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      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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      Audience Reviews

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      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 Josh G A deep cut In the John Wayne filmography with a suddle but effect performance, aging and mortality are present and well represented in a simple effect, western masterpiece. Also incredible cast. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 10/05/23 Full Review Audience Member When considering the merits of "The Shootist," we find ourselves realizing that much of what is enticing arises not from the strengths of the story or its execution, but from the documentary sense of witnessing John Wayne proudly rendering his final performance in a role that bears a poignant relevance to the twilight of his own life and career. The film works best in its quiet moments, as we regard the Duke's tenderness and dignity; qualities which quickly evoke a stirring awareness of Wayne's frequently underappreciated acting abilities. On a more general level, the film tends to disengage us with characters that are poorly developed, including villains who appear to exist as mere contrivances, a marshal with an unconvincingly flippant disregard for the Wayne character, and a boy whose adulation springs forth with the arbitrary energy born only of plot convenience. As an elegy to the inestimable John Wayne, "The Shootist" is likely to please many fans, but for those who are looking for masterful story and character construction, disappointment will likely follow. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 02/14/23 Full Review Audience Member Wow! One of the greatest movies I've ever seen! I had no idea it was Wayne's last film, although it wasn't known it would be his last, when it was made. The reason I was shocked to learn it was his last film was because he was SO handsome and gorgeous in this movie! So I thought, I wonder when he made this movie? Maybe 15-20 years before he passed? Wow! He sure looks good! Then when I read it was his last, I was even more blown away by the whole movie! Not only his iconic looks, but his acting!! It's marvelous! I mean, he's iconic for a reason! His acting was iconic! But again, not knowing his age as I was watching this film, I was stricken so many things, such as… how deeply and how much he could say with just his eyes, and in a fleeting second! Incredible! There is SO much I could say about this film, but honestly, I feel speechless. There's a great article that says it best about all John Wayne was in this movie and his incredible talents. It's called something like… "John Wayne's Claustrophobic.." Great article. As for the movie…. Just watch it. You won't be sorry. Especially if you are a woman. And a Wayne fan. But you'll love it even if you are not. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/12/23 Full Review christopher c. m It's sad and ironic that John Wayne plays a man dying of cancer while he was dying of cancer. The story is basic but works and there are several jerk characters. Lastly the main villain is typical of the western, the saloon owner slash criminal. Plus he doesn't get much screentime. John Wayne really pulls out all the stops in his last performance. It's sincere and heartfelt, like he already knew his day was coming to a close and wanted to give the world something to really remember him by. Hell, he should have won an Oscar for it. Overall, a great farewell to one of the Golden Age of Hollywood's most dynamic actors. A great farewell to a legend. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

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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

      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
      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
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