The Shootist
Afflicted with a terminal illness, John Bernard Books (John Wayne), the last of the legendary gunfighters, quietly returns to Carson City for medical attention from his old friend Dr. Hostetler (James Stewart). Aware that his days are numbered, the troubled man seeks solace and peace in a boardinghouse run by a widow (Lauren Bacall) and her son (Ron Howard). However, it is not Books' fate to die in peace, as he becomes embroiled in one last valiant battle.
Member Reviews
The Duke's Last Film - bwod
Despite its somewhat slow and deliberate pacing, John Wayne still manages to hold your attention in this final testament to his lengthy career as the western gunslinger. "The Shootist" is an aging gun-for-hire who finds out he is on his last leg, burdened with an illness that holds no cure. He settles in at a boarding house essentially waiting to die, but soon finds that his violent past catches up to him, derailing his best-laid plans for a graceful death. The cast is excellent and the story unwinds with typical predictability. Directed by Don Siegel (Dirty Harry), the movie might not be the most action-packed of his career, but it is still a moving tribute to John "The Duke" Wayne, who died of cancer soon after this film was released.The Safer Wild Guy - rnhaas
Sort of a calmer, safer, less offensive Wild Bunch. It deals with the same issues, but for one man, instead of many, and a little more from the perspective of the society that surrounds him. Using old Wayne films in the intro seems like a tired gimmick now but was probably pretty revolutionary at the time. I'm not sure it works with the narration and excessive screen titles, but whatever. This is a well-acted and designed film that really doesn't come alive until the climax. The climax redeems a lot of the western cliches that worked their way into the majority of the film. Again, it's the Wild Bunch in a different light, but with the same message: the time for this kind of violence is over, but that doesn't mean violence will stop begetting violence, that doesn't mean humans still aren't prone to it. The final actions of Ron Howard's character save the film from being a waltz down memory lane with the Duke.One of The Duke's Best - Matt-Perkins
John Wayne's final film also ranks among his best work, if not among the best Westerns of all time. The pace is a bit slower than your average Western, but if anything this is a refreshing change for those familiar with the genre. An all-star cast creates an array of memorable, fully developed characters, and all the "usual suspects" from the golden age of the Western film are here as though paying tribute to Wayne in his final picture. Ron Howard almost steals the show in what is likely his best theatrical role, but of course the real reason to see this one is for Wayne's powerful performance as an ailing Old West gunfighter. The Shootist is both a fitting farewell to the Old West, and to The Duke himself. The ending could have been stronger, and some of the characters barely make an appearance, but all in all this is a great film and a must rent for fans of the Western genre.
Member Reviews
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The Duke's Last Film - bwod
Despite its somewhat slow and deliberate pacing, John Wayne still manages to hold your attention in this final testament to his lengthy career as the western gunslinger. "The Shootist" is an aging gun-for-hire who finds out he is on his last leg, burdened ...The Safer Wild Guy - rnhaas
Sort of a calmer, safer, less offensive Wild Bunch. It deals with the same issues, but for one man, instead of many, and a little more from the perspective of the society that surrounds him. Using old Wayne films in the intro seems like a tired gimmick now ...One of The Duke's Best - Matt-Perkins
John Wayne's final film also ranks among his best work, if not among the best Westerns of all time. The pace is a bit slower than your average Western, but if anything this is a refreshing change for those familiar with the genre. An all-star cast creates ...