The Shootist poster
7.1/10 1976 1h 40m Released

He's got to face a gunfight once more to live up to his legend once more. To win just one more time.

Afflicted with a terminal illness John Bernard Books, the last of the legendary gunfighters, quietly returns to Carson City for medical attention from his old friend Dr. Hostetler. Aware that his days are numbered, the troubled man seeks solace and peace in a boarding house run by a widow and her son. However, it is not Books' fate to die in peace, as he becomes embroiled in one last valiant battle.

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Top Cast

John Wayne
John Wayne
J.B. Books
Lauren Bacall
Lauren Bacall
Bond Rogers
Ron Howard
Ron Howard
Gillom Rogers
James Stewart
James Stewart
Dr. Hostetler
Richard Boone
Richard Boone
Mike Sweeney
Hugh O'Brian
Hugh O'Brian
Jack Pulford
Bill McKinney
Bill McKinney
Jay Cobb
Harry Morgan
Harry Morgan
Marshall Thibido
John Carradine
John Carradine
Beckum
Sheree North
Sheree North
Serepta
Rick Lenz
Rick Lenz
Dobkins
Scatman Crothers
Scatman Crothers
Moses
Gregg Palmer
Gregg Palmer
Burly Man
Alfred Dennis
Alfred Dennis
Barber
Dick Winslow
Dick Winslow
Streetcar Driver
Melody Thomas Scott
Melody Thomas Scott
Girl on Streetcar

Reviews

John Chard 8/10

The big man bows out and leaves an indelible mark. Legendary gunfighter J.B. Books rides into Carson City, diagnosed with terminal cancer he has a short time to live. After taking a room at the widow Bond Rogers' house, he becomes something of a mentor to Bond's son, Gillom. Dignified, eloquent, perhaps even incredibly sad, The Shootist mirrors John Wayne's personal situation and closes his career (and life)…

barrymost 8/10

I publicly take back every negative thing I ever said about John Wayne. I was so far wrong in claiming that he was just a very famous, highly overrated actor, but I blame my misconceptions on the fact that I was probably introduced to him via some of his lesser movies, or perhaps just not the kind of movie I like or usually bother with. I never have been big on Westerns, but after viewing The Man Who Shot Liberty…

CinemaSerf 7/10

John Wayne's final big screen role sees him playing a terminally-ill gunfighter determined to go out with his boots on - and to take as much local riff-raff with his as he goes. He settles down in a boarding house run by a slightly puritanical widow - Lauren Bacall, and her teenage son played by Ron Howard. Once his doctor, James Stewart, has confirmed the worst, he manipulates some of the local ne'er-do-wells into…

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FAQ about The Shootist

What is The Shootist about?
Afflicted with a terminal illness John Bernard Books, the last of the legendary gunfighters, quietly returns to Carson City for medical attention from his old friend Dr. Hostetler. Aware that his days are numbered, the troubled man seeks solace and peace in a boarding house run…
When was The Shootist released?
The Shootist was released in 1976.
What genres does The Shootist belong to?
The Shootist is categorised as Western.
Who stars in The Shootist?
The cast of The Shootist includes John Wayne, Lauren Bacall, Ron Howard, James Stewart, Richard Boone.