

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.
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.
TMDB
7.1/10
399 votes
IMDb
Not rated yet
View on IMDb
- Status
- Released
- Budget
- —
- Box office
- $13.4M
- Language
- English
- sniper
- based on novel or book
- widow
- nevada
- retirement
- terminal illness
- aging
- dying man
- gunfight
- boarding house
- one last job
- gunfighter
Top billed cast

















Behind the camera
Director
Music
Produced in
United States of America
Where to watch
All optionsAvailability for United States. Provided by JustWatch through the TMDB API.
Gallery












Videos
Release dates
United StatesUS
- PremiereCarson City, Nevada16 Jul 1976
- TheatricalPG21 Jul 1976
United KingdomGB
- Theatrical7 Oct 1976
AustraliaAU
- PhysicalDVD12 Sept 2017
BrazilBR
- Physical12DVD & VHS6 Dec 2010
FranceFR
- TheatricalTP17 Aug 1977
GermanyDE
- Theatrical16West Germany23 Sept 1977
IrelandIE
- TheatricalPG5 Nov 1976
JapanJP
- TheatricalPG127 Jul 1979
NetherlandsNL
- Physical12DVD11 Jul 2002
- TV12RTL 56 May 2005
PhilippinesPH
- TVABS-CBN, Million Dollar Movies18 Jul 1987
PortugalPT
- Theatrical26 Jun 1979
- TheatricalPorto27 Jul 1979
- Theatrical (limited)M/12Cinemateca Portuguesa23 Jun 2025
SwedenSE
- Theatrical151 Nov 1976
Frequently asked questions
The Shootist was released on 21 July 1976.
Audience reviews
3- J8/10
John Chard
5/29/2019
The big man bows out and leaves an indelible mark. Legendary gunfighter J.B. Books rides into Carson City, diagnosed with terminal cancer he has a short time to live. After taking a room at the widow Bond Rogers' house, he becomes something of a mentor to Bond's son, Gillom. Dignified, eloquent, perhaps even incredibly sad, The Shootist mirrors John Wayne's personal situation and closes his career (and life) wi…
- B8/10
barrymost
9/7/2019
I publicly take back every negative thing I ever said about John Wayne. I was so far wrong in claiming that he was just a very famous, highly overrated actor, but I blame my misconceptions on the fact that I was probably introduced to him via some of his lesser movies, or perhaps just not the kind of movie I like or usually bother with. I never have been big on Westerns, but after viewing The Man Who Shot Liberty V…
- C7/10
CinemaSerf
6/3/2023
John Wayne's final big screen role sees him playing a terminally-ill gunfighter determined to go out with his boots on - and to take as much local riff-raff with his as he goes. He settles down in a boarding house run by a slightly puritanical widow - Lauren Bacall, and her teenage son played by Ron Howard. Once his doctor, James Stewart, has confirmed the worst, he manipulates some of the local ne'er-do-wells into e…
Member reviews
Sign in to rate and review. Browsing stays free and open.
Sign inMember comments
0Sign in to post a comment. Browsing stays free and open.
Sign in











