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The Shootist (1976)

 -  Drama | Western  -  20 August 1976 (USA)
7.6
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Ratings: 7.6/10 from 12,721 users  
Reviews: 133 user | 40 critic

A dying gunfighter spends his last days looking for a way to die with a minimum of pain and a maximum of dignity.

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Writers:

(novel), (screenplay), 1 more credit »
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Title: The Shootist (1976)

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Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 1 win & 3 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
...
J.B. Books
...
...
...
Dr. Hostetler
...
Sweeney
...
Pulford
Bill McKinney ...
Cobb
...
Marshall Thibido
...
Beckum
...
Serepta
...
Dobkins (as Richard Lenz)
...
Moses
Gregg Palmer ...
Burly Man
Alfred Dennis ...
Barber
Dick Winslow ...
Streetcar Driver
Edit

Storyline

John Bernard Books, a gunfighter approaching his 58th birthday, finds that he has rectal cancer and two months to live. He takes a room with Bond Rogers and her son, Gillom, to wait until death comes. Of course, his very presence starts off events in the town. The Marshal comes, prepared to die in a shootout, Gillom tries to idolize him, Bond first is disgusted and then pities him. Then, realizing that he will die in great pain, he comes up with an idea to go out with a bang. Written by John Vogel <jlvogel@comcast.net>

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Taglines:

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

Genres:

Drama | Western

Certificate:

PG | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

20 August 1976 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Der Scharfschütze  »

Filming Locations:

 »

Box Office

Gross:

$5,987,000 (USA)
 »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Color:

| (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
See  »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

The engraved Colt Single Action Army revolvers used by J. B. Books in this film were in reality a pair of 1950's-made replicas. See more »

Goofs

In the opening scene labeled as being set in 1871, a pair of Colt Peacemaker revolvers with 4-3/4 inch barrels is shown. This model was developed for the US Army in 1873. Civilian sales started in 1875, and the 4-3/4 barrel length wasn't available until 1877. See more »

Quotes

Carson City Marshal Walter Thibido: The day they lay you away, what I'll do on your grave won't pass for flowers.
See more »

Connections

Referenced in Who Killed 'Winter Kills'? (2003) See more »

Soundtracks

"Willow, Tit Willow"
Music by Arthur Sullivan
Lyrics by William S. Gilbert
Performed by John Wayne & Lauren Bacall
See more »

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User Reviews

 
Another John Wayne masterpiece!
17 December 2004 | by See all my reviews

The legendary John Wayne gives a fantastic understated performance as J.B. Books an aging gunfighter suffering from stomach cancer and looking to live out the final days of his life in peace. Of course, the entire existence of the gunfighter is predicated on the inevitability that once you reach top there is always going to be someone looking to knock you off your pedestal. Here that means J.B.'s retirement won't be so peaceful. Besides this plot point, there is the mature twilight romance between J.B. and Bond (Lauren Bacall) and his mentor relationship with Gillom (Ron Howard). James Stewart (who co-starred with Wayne in The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance) puts in a cameo as J.B.'s physician. Recommended.


32 of 41 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you?

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