The Shootist

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The Shootist is a 1976 American Western directed by Don Siegel. It is based on Glendon Swarthout’s 1975 novel and stars John Wayne in his last film, along with Lauren Bacall, Ron Howard, James Stewart, Richard Boone, John Carradine, Scatman Crothers, Rick Lenz, Harry Morgan, Sheree North, and Hugh O’Brian.

Plot in simple terms
In 1901 Carson City, Nevada, old gunfighter J.B. Books learns he has terminal cancer and only a few weeks to live. He stays at a quiet boarding house run by Bond Rogers with her son Gillom. Books visits three famous killers, telling them he will be at the Metropole saloon on his birthday. When the men come, he shoots and kills them one by one, despite being wounded himself. After the gunfight, a bartender shoots Books in the back. Gillom grabs Books’ gun and kills the bartender, then drops the weapon and walks away with his mother. Books dies, and Gillom begins to realize he does not have to follow his father’s style of living.

Production notes
John Wayne wanted the role and helped shape the film, including changes to the ending and to where the story takes place. Wayne’s health and the altitude at Carson City made filming challenging, and a one-week break was needed when he fell ill. The movie was Wayne’s final screen appearance after a 50-year career. He had been diagnosed with lung cancer in 1964 and later died in 1979. The outdoor scenes were filmed in Carson City and Washoe Lake State Park, while many street and interior scenes were shot at Warner Bros. studios in Burbank. Wayne also influenced casting, bringing back actors like Bacall, Stewart, Boone, and Carradine. He insisted Books not be killed by Gillom in a backhanded way and argued that the bartender should be the one to finish him, reflecting his belief that no one could beat him in a fair fight.

Reception
The Shootist earned about $13.4 million at the domestic box office. It was named one of the National Board of Review’s Top Ten Films of 1976 and received several award nominations, including an Oscar nomination for Best Art Direction, a BAFTA nomination for Best Actress (Lauren Bacall), and a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actor (Ron Howard). The film has an 81% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. In later years, it has been noted for featuring John Wayne’s farewell performance and for the strong work of its supporting cast.