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The Shootist
1976 100 min United States of America PG 12+
★7.7
Western
Director: Don Siegel
Trailers
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Description
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.
US Gross:
$8.09M
Worldwide:
$13.4M
Starring
John Wayne
Actor
Lauren Bacall
Actor
Ron Howard
Actor
Awards
BAFTA 1977
— Best Actress
Academy Awards 1977
— Best Production Design
Golden Globe 1977
— Best Supporting Actor
Key opinion
The Shootist serves as a poignant and emotionally resonant farewell to John Wayne, who delivers a strikingly honest, autobiographical performance as a terminally ill gunfighter. Supported by strong performances from an iconic cast, the film effectively balances Western tropes with a reflective, melancholic character study.
| Acting | John Wayne delivers a career-capping, nuanced performance that gains profound emotional weight through his own real-life battle with cancer. | |
| Acting | Lauren Bacall provides a standout, grounded performance that anchors the narrative and complements Wayne's reflective character arc. | |
| Direction | Don Siegel’s direction maintains a direct, honest tone that successfully transitions the Western genre into a psychological character study. | |
| Theme | The film’s thematic depth is enriched by the metatextual interplay between the plot and the actors' actual cinematic histories. | |
| Screenplay | The script is praised for its emotional resonance and poignant finale, though some viewers find the inclusion of excessive profanity to be a jarring element. |