The Shootist
starring: John Wayne, Lauren Bacall, Peter Frankovich, Hugh O'Brian, William Self
directed by: Don Siegel
directed by: Don Siegel
Price: $9.98
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Product Description:
John Wayne, in his last film appearance, stars as famed gunfighter J.J. Brooks. After learning from Dr. Hostetler (James Stewart) that he's dying of stomach cancer and has no more than two months to live, he moves into a boarding house in Carson City run by Bond Rogers (Lauren Bacall) and her son, Gillom (Ron Howard), to die quietly. But when word gets around that the old gunslinger is in town, curiosity seekers come out of the woodwork to get a look, and the ridiculous local marshal (Henry Morgan) contemplates a showdown with the legend. Annoyed by the attention and realizing that if he waits long enough, he'll die in great pain, Brooks decides to seek out his enemies and go down with guns blazing. Yet he works to persuade the hero-worshiping Gillom to foreswear the life of violence he's led. Director Don Siegel fashions a poignant, gracious farewell to the great star, who, like his character, was dying of cancer as the film was being shot. A stellar cast, which includes Western stalwarts such as Richard Boone, Hugh O'Brian, John Carradine, and Johnny Crawford, adds much to the film's resonance. As much a meditation on the burden of celebrity as an elegy for the Old West, it's most revealing in its star's final renunciation of violence.
Amazon.com essential video:
The last film of John Wayne could not have been more fitting, full of details that can't help but make one reflect upon his legacy in the movies and his life as a star. Wayne plays a career gunfighter in the autumn of his life, trying to hang up his pistols after he discovers he's dying of cancer.Boarding in the house of an attractive widow (Lauren Bacall) and her son (Ron Howard), Wayne's character opts for peace in his final days but is dogged by his reputation when a handful of killers seeks him out for a final fight. Howard is fine as a fatherless boy who needs the strong mentor the hero represents, and James Stewart--who costarred with Wayne in the great Man Who Shot Liberty Valance--plays the doctor who gives the big man the bad news. Don Siegel (Invasion of the Body Snatchers) thoughtfully directs a very special and sensitive production. --Tom Keogh
John Wayne, in his last film appearance, stars as famed gunfighter J.J. Brooks. After learning from Dr. Hostetler (James Stewart) that he's dying of stomach cancer and has no more than two months to live, he moves into a boarding house in Carson City run by Bond Rogers (Lauren Bacall) and her son, Gillom (Ron Howard), to die quietly. But when word gets around that the old gunslinger is in town, curiosity seekers come out of the woodwork to get a look, and the ridiculous local marshal (Henry Morgan) contemplates a showdown with the legend. Annoyed by the attention and realizing that if he waits long enough, he'll die in great pain, Brooks decides to seek out his enemies and go down with guns blazing. Yet he works to persuade the hero-worshiping Gillom to foreswear the life of violence he's led. Director Don Siegel fashions a poignant, gracious farewell to the great star, who, like his character, was dying of cancer as the film was being shot. A stellar cast, which includes Western stalwarts such as Richard Boone, Hugh O'Brian, John Carradine, and Johnny Crawford, adds much to the film's resonance. As much a meditation on the burden of celebrity as an elegy for the Old West, it's most revealing in its star's final renunciation of violence.
Amazon.com essential video:
The last film of John Wayne could not have been more fitting, full of details that can't help but make one reflect upon his legacy in the movies and his life as a star. Wayne plays a career gunfighter in the autumn of his life, trying to hang up his pistols after he discovers he's dying of cancer.Boarding in the house of an attractive widow (Lauren Bacall) and her son (Ron Howard), Wayne's character opts for peace in his final days but is dogged by his reputation when a handful of killers seeks him out for a final fight. Howard is fine as a fatherless boy who needs the strong mentor the hero represents, and James Stewart--who costarred with Wayne in the great Man Who Shot Liberty Valance--plays the doctor who gives the big man the bad news. Don Siegel (Invasion of the Body Snatchers) thoughtfully directs a very special and sensitive production. --Tom Keogh
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Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - JohnWayne and the Shootist
The ShootistOne of the finest films this movie legend made and sadly his last.Incredible cast, Lauren Bacall, Jimmy Stewart, Ron Howard, and a very Wayne unwestern western.A wonderful film and well worth more than one watch.I highly recommend.
Rating: - DVD Purchase
The Shootist
I was skeptical about ordering a DVD on line.This was for a gift.
I was surprised at how quickly I received my purchase..within 2 days.
It is top quality.I would purchase this way again.
Rating: - John Wayne Last Movie!
This is a great classic movie from John Wayne. I am still a fan
of his other movies. So Buy this film because you will love it!
Rating: - Amazed
I know many have seen this picture before, but it added so much more seeing it at home and being able to cry freely, knowing what I know now. I was in "The Duke's" final days with him and it just made it that more special.I bought it for someone special, who could not believe that I would be ever able to find it again since it had been so long.It made him smile, yes cry, and even laughed a few times.The price was right, the search was easy, and it is a movie that will be treasured forever. ... Read More
Rating: - Great swan song
Based on the novel by Glendon Swarthout, this movie tells the tale of a famous gunslinger who is heading for his last shootout. The movie follows the book pretty accurately except for a few changes: in the novel, the character of Gillum, the son of the widow played by Lauren Bacall, is a little different from how he was portrayed in the movie, and also the sheriff, played by Henry Morgan, has a much greater role. Swarthout also goes into much more detail about the pain J.B. Books experienced as the ... Read More
- JohnWayne and the ShootistThe ShootistOne of the finest films this movie legend made and sadly his last.Incredible cast, Lauren Bacall, Jimmy Stewart, Ron Howard, and a very Wayne unwestern western.A wonderful film and well worth more than one watch.I highly recommend.
- DVD PurchaseThe Shootist
I was skeptical about ordering a DVD on line.This was for a gift.
I was surprised at how quickly I received my purchase..within 2 days.
It is top quality.I would purchase this way again.
- John Wayne Last Movie!This is a great classic movie from John Wayne. I am still a fan
of his other movies. So Buy this film because you will love it!
- AmazedI know many have seen this picture before, but it added so much more seeing it at home and being able to cry freely, knowing what I know now. I was in "The Duke's" final days with him and it just made it that more special.I bought it for someone special, who could not believe that I would be ever able to find it again since it had been so long.It made him smile, yes cry, and even laughed a few times.The price was right, the search was easy, and it is a movie that will be treasured forever. ... Read More
- Great swan songBased on the novel by Glendon Swarthout, this movie tells the tale of a famous gunslinger who is heading for his last shootout. The movie follows the book pretty accurately except for a few changes: in the novel, the character of Gillum, the son of the widow played by Lauren Bacall, is a little different from how he was portrayed in the movie, and also the sheriff, played by Henry Morgan, has a much greater role. Swarthout also goes into much more detail about the pain J.B. Books experienced as the ... Read More
