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The Shootist

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.

19767.01h 40m

Overview

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.

Directed by Don Siegel
Written by Miles Hood Swarthout, Scott Hale, Glendon Swarthout
Produced by William Self, M.J. Frankovich
Box Office0Revenue: $13.4M

Top Cast

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

Harry Morgan

Harry Morgan

Marshall Thibido

John Carradine

John Carradine

Beckum

Sheree North

Sheree North

Serepta

Themes & Keywords

sniperbased on novel or bookwidownevadaretirementterminal illnessagingdying mangunfightboarding houseone last jobgunfighterterminal cancer1900swestern expansionold west legendwesternwidow with sonaging gunfightercarson city, nevada

About The Shootist

The Shootist is a western film released in 1976 exploring themes of sniper, based on novel or book, widow, nevada, retirement, terminal illness. Directed by Don Siegel, it stars John Wayne, Lauren Bacall, Ron Howard. 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.

Movies Similar to The Shootist

Discover titles like The Shootist — ranked by similarity and community votes

We found 15 movies similar to The Shootist

If you enjoyed The Shootist, you'll love these handpicked recommendations. Each title below shares similar themes, tone, and storytelling style. Our algorithm analyzes genres, keywords, director filmography, and cast connections to find the closest matches. Whether you're looking for the same emotional depth, narrative structure, or visual style, these picks are curated to deliver the best viewing experience for fans of The Shootist.

Backlash
24% Match

Backlash(1956)

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Jim Slater's father (whom he never knew) died in the Apache ambush at Gila Valley, and Jim is searching for the one survivor, who supposedly went for help but disappeared with a lot of gold. In the process, he gets several people gunning for him, and he keeps meeting liberated woman Karyl Orton, who may be on a similar mission. Renewed Apache hostilities and an impending range war provide complications.

El Dorado
24% Match

El Dorado(1966)

Movie7.4/10

Cole Thornton, a gunfighter for hire, joins forces with an old friend, Sheriff J.P. Harrah. Together with a fighter and a gambler, they help a rancher and his family fight a rival rancher that is trying to steal their water.

Santa Fe Trail
23% Match

As a penalty for fighting fellow classmates days before graduating from West Point, J.E.B. Stuart, George Armstrong Custer and four friends are assigned to the 2nd Cavalry, stationed at Fort Leavenworth. While there they aid in the capture and execution of the abolitionist, John Brown following the Battle of Harper's Ferry.

Shoot Out
22% Match

Shoot Out(1971)

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Clay Lomax, a bank robber, gets out of jail after an 7 year sentence. He is looking after Sam Foley, the man who betrayed him. Knowing that, Foley hires three men to pay attention of Clay's steps. The things get complicated when Lomax, waiting to receive some money from his ex-lover, gets only the notice of her death and an 7 year old girl, sometimes very annoying, presumed to be his daughter.

Rio Bravo
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Rio Bravo(1959)

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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.

The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance
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Questions arise when Senator Stoddard attends the funeral of a local man named Tom Doniphon in a small Western town. Flashing back, we learn Doniphon saved Stoddard, then a lawyer, when he was roughed up by a crew of outlaws terrorizing the town, led by Liberty Valance. As the territory's safety hung in the balance, Doniphon and Stoddard, two of the only people standing up to him, proved to be very important, but different, foes to Valance.

Duel at Diablo
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In Apache territory, a supply Army column heads for the next fort, an ex-scout searches for the killer of his Native wife, and a housewife abandons her husband to rejoin her Apache lover's tribe.

Unforgiven
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Unforgiven(1992)

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William Munny is a retired, once-ruthless killer turned gentle widower and hog farmer. To help support his two motherless children, he accepts one last bounty-hunter mission to find the men who brutalized a prostitute. Joined by his former partner and a cocky greenhorn, he takes on a corrupt sheriff.

Tombstone
20% Match

Tombstone(1993)

Movie7.6/10

Legendary marshal Wyatt Earp, now a weary gunfighter, joins his brothers Morgan and Virgil to pursue their collective fortune in the thriving mining town of Tombstone. But Earp is forced to don a badge again and get help from his notorious pal Doc Holliday when a gang of renegade brigands and rustlers begins terrorizing the town.

Joe Kidd
19% Match

Joe Kidd(1972)

Movie6.4/10

A band of Mexicans find their U. S. land claims denied and all the records destroyed in a courthouse fire. Their leader, Louis Chama, encourages them to use force to regain their land. A wealthy landowner wanting the same decides to hire a gang of killers with Joe Kidd to track Chama.

The White Buffalo
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In this strange western version of Moby Dick, Wild Bill Hickok hunts a white buffalo he has seen in a dream. Hickok moves through a variety of uniquely authentic western locations - dim, filthy, makeshift taverns; freezing, slaughterhouse-like frontier towns and beautifully desolate high country - before improbably teaming up with a young Crazy Horse to pursue the creature.

Shane
17% Match

Shane(1953)

Movie7.3/10

A weary gunfighter attempts to settle down with a homestead family, but a smouldering settler and rancher conflict forces him to act.

High Plains Drifter
17% Match

A gunfighting stranger comes to the small settlement of Lago. After gunning down three gunmen who tried to kill him, the townsfolk decide to hire the Stranger to hold off three outlaws who are on their way.