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.
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Cast
36 people
John Wayne
J.B. Books
Known for
The Searchers
The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance
Lauren Bacall
Bond Rogers
Known for
Misery
Murder on the Orient Express
Ron Howard
Gillom Rogers
Known for
American Graffiti
Happy Days
James Stewart
Dr. Hostetler
Known for
Rear Window
Vertigo
Richard Boone
Mike Sweeney
Known for
Big Jake
The Hobbit
Hugh O'Brian
Jack Pulford
Known for
Twins
Game of Death
Bill McKinney
Jay Cobb
Known for
First Blood
The Outlaw Josey Wales
Harry Morgan
Marshall Thibido
Known for
M*A*S*H
High Noon
John Carradine
Beckum
Known for
Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex *But Were Afraid to Ask
The Grapes of Wrath
Sheree North
Serepta
Known for
Maniac Cop
Charley Varrick
Rick Lenz
Dobkins
Known for
Cactus Flower
Automan
Scatman Crothers
Moses
Known for
The Shining
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
Don Siegel Director · Miles Hood Swarthout Screenplay Scott Hale Screenplay
Director Screenplay
Don Siegel
Screenplay
Miles Hood Swarthout
Screenplay
Scott Hale
Author
Glendon Swarthout
Composer
Elmer Bernstein
Cinematographer
Bruce Surtees
Editor
Douglas Stewart
Production designer
Robert F. Boyle
Costume designer
Moss Mabry
Costume designer
Luster Bayless
Costume designer
Edna Taylor
Worldwide gross $13M · United States release July 21, 1976 · Produced in United States
Box office
Worldwide gross
$13,400,000
Production
The De Laurentiis Company
Production
Paramount Pictures
Production · Studio
Frankovich/Self Productions
Production
Dino De Laurentiis Company
Production
United States
Produced in
Languages
Original language
English
Spoken on screen
English
Release dates
United States · July 16, 1976
Premiere · Carson City, Nevada
United States · July 21, 1976
Theatrical
Australia
September 12, 2017 · Physical · DVD
Brazil
December 6, 2010 · Physical · DVD & VHS
France
August 17, 1977 · Theatrical
Germany
September 23, 1977 · Theatrical · West Germany
Ireland
November 5, 1976 · Theatrical
Japan
July 7, 1979 · Theatrical
Netherlands
July 11, 2002 · Physical · DVD
May 6, 2005 · TV · RTL 5
Philippines
July 18, 1987 · TV · ABS-CBN, Million Dollar Movies
Portugal
June 26, 1979 · Theatrical
July 27, 1979 · Theatrical · Porto
June 23, 2025 · Limited theatrical · Cinemateca Portuguesa
Sweden
November 1, 1976 · Theatrical
United Kingdom
October 7, 1976 · Theatrical
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