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The Shootist (1976)

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Average Rating: 7.9/10
Reviews Counted: 14
Fresh: 13 | Rotten: 1

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Average Rating: N/A
Critic Reviews: 1
Fresh: 1 | Rotten: 0

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Average Rating: 3.9/5
User Ratings: 8,830

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Movie Info

About ten minutes into The Shootist, Doctor Hostetler (James Stewart) tells aging Western gunfighter John Bernard Books (John Wayne), "You have a cancer." Knowing that his death will be painful and lingering, Books is determined to be shot in the line of "duty." In his remaining two months, Books settles scores with old enemies, including gambler Pulford (Hugh O'Brian) and Marshall Thibido (Harry Morgan) and reaches out to new friends, including a feisty widow (Lauren Bacall) and her

PG, 1 hr. 39 min.

Documentary, Western, Drama, Action & Adventure

Directed By: Don Siegel

Written By: Miles Hood Swarthout, Scott Hale

In Theaters: Aug 20, 1976 Limited

On DVD: Jul 24, 2001

Paramount Home Video

The Shootist Trailer & Photos

Cast

John Wayne
John Bernard Books
Lauren Bacall
Bond Rogers
Ron Howard
Gillom Rogers
Bill McKinney
Cobb
James Stewart
Dr. Hostetler
Richard Boone
Sweeney
Hugh O'Brian
Pulford
John Carradine
Beckum
Sheree North
Serepta
Scatman Crothers
Moses
Alfred Dennis
Barber
Dick Winslow
Streetcar Driver
Kathleen O'Malley
Schoolteacher
Christopher George
Books' victim in flashb...
Leo Gordon
Books' victim in flashb...
Rick Lenz
Sam Dobkins
Ricky Nelson
Books' fellow lawman in...
Gregg Palmer
Burly Man
Melody Thomas
Girl on Streetcar
Johnny Crawford
Books' victim in flashb...
Harry Morgan
Marshall Thibido

Critic Reviews for The Shootist

All Critics (17) | Top Critics (3) | Fresh (14) | Rotten (1) | DVD (10)

John Wayne's very last film, an elegy for a dying cowboy, expresses the essence of his screen image, while borrowing elements from his own life.

January 13, 2007 Full Review Source: EmanuelLevy.Com

| Comment (1)

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com Source: EmanuelLevy.Com

That rare film where a star and an audience get to say goodbye to each other.

January 19, 2006 Comment

Rob Thomas

Capital Times (Madison, WI)

John Wayne's swan song is a touching tribute to the legendary star and the Western.

September 28, 2005 Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews

| Comment

Dennis Schwartz

Ozus' World Movie Reviews

Duke's last is valiant, underplayed western.

November 1, 2004 Comment

Steve Crum

Kansas City Kansan Source: Kansas City Kansan

Effective swan-song for Wayne.

July 21, 2003 Comment

Ken Hanke

Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

A fitting and melancholy farewell to The Duke.

September 11, 2001 Full Review Source: Apollo Guide

| Comment

Scott Weinberg

Apollo Guide

there is a sense of gravity to Wayne's presence on-screen that you won't find in any of his other movies

August 12, 2001 Comment

James Kendrick

Q Network Film Desk

A true must-own

August 4, 2001 Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com

| Comment

Christopher Null

Filmcritic.com

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Audience Reviews for The Shootist

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A touching film, heartfelt, as the Duke makes his final bow and he's fully aware that with him goes an era, the good and the bad. Here to say farewell are Stewart and Bacall, the old guard, and Ron Howard, the future. And the Duke makes his final bow.

July 16, 2007