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The Shootist

The Shootist

Western · 1976

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.

Movie details

The Shootist

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

1976 Western 1h 40m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

7.1 / 10

Community rating

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.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over The Shootist?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

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A small-town sheriff in the American West enlists the help of a disabled man, a drunk, and a young gunfighter in his efforts to hold in jail the brother of the local bad guy.

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

Don Siegel

Written by

Miles Hood Swarthout · Scott Hale

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

Court is in session

Put The Shootist on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Auteur Devotee

“Ambition earns the room.”

The film reaches for consequence and scale, accepting the risk of seriousness instead of shrinking from it.

The prosecution The Popcorn Loyalist

“Importance has entered the chat.”

The production keeps announcing its significance, as though awards-season posture were proof of insight.