The Shootist (1976)
Member Rating:
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 hero-worshipping son (Ron Howard). Throughout the film, Books' imminent demise is compared with the decline of the West, as represented by the automobiles and streetcars that have begun to blight the main street of Books' hometown. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- John Wayne, Lauren Bacall, (more)
- Director(s):
- Don Siegel
- Theatrical MPAA Rating:
- PG
- Format(s):
- DVD
| Digital SD
View All Versions to rent and buy
Synopsis of The Shootist
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 hero-worshipping son (Ron Howard). Throughout the film, Books' imminent demise is compared with the decline of the West, as represented by the automobiles and streetcars that have begun to blight the main street of Books' hometown. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Theatrical Feature Running Time:
- 98 mins
Complete Cast of The Shootist
- John Wayne - John Bernard Books
- Ron Howard - Gillom Rogers
- James Stewart - Dr. Hostetler
- Hugh O'Brian - Pulford
- Sheree North - Serepta
- Alfred Dennis - Barber
- Kathleen O'Malley - Schoolteacher
- Leo Gordon - Books' victim in flashback
- Melody Thomas - Girl on Streetcar
- Johnny Crawford - Books' victim in flashback
- Harry Morgan - Marshall Thibido
- Lauren Bacall - Bond Rogers
- Bill McKinney - Cobb
- Richard Boone - Sweeney
- John Carradine - Beckum
- Scatman Crothers - Moses
- Dick Winslow - Streetcar Driver
- Christopher George - Books' victim in flashback
- Gregg Palmer - Burly Man
- Rick Lenz - Sam Dobkins
- Ricky Nelson - Books' fellow lawman in flashback
- Director(s):
- Don Siegel
- Writer(s):
- Miles Hood Swarthout, Scott Hale
- Producer(s):
- Bill Self, Mike J. Frankovich
- Theatrical MPAA Rating:
- PG(Western Violence, Not For Children, Adult Language, Adult Situations)
- Categories:
- Westerns
- Looking for special editions of The Shootist?
- See All Versions
- Subtitles:
- Check All Versions
- Closed Captioning:
- Check All Versions
BY MAIL
Monthly Subscription
NEW! 7 - Day Rental
No subscription required. Usually ships in 24 hours.
IN-STORE
What's Your Take?
Member Reviews
