#6 – The Shootist
The Shootist was released in August of 1976, and of the four films on this “12 Best” list in which John Wayne appears, this one is my favorite. Staring along with Wayne are James Stewart, Lauren Bacall, Ron Howard, Richard Boone, and Harry Morgan.
In this film, Wayne plays an aging gunfighter by the name of John Bernard Books. Barely ten minutes into the film, we find out that Books is dying when the town doctor, played by Stewart, informs him, “You have a cancer.” He describes in detail the painful death that Books has in store for him. Over the next couple of months, Books develops a relationship with the woman who runs the boarding house where he is staying (Lauren Bacall) and with her son (Ron Howard) who idolizes Books. As his time draws near, Books has no plans to die a slow and painful death. He plans to go out the way a gunfighter should.
Based on the novel by Glendon Swarthout, whose son, Miles, worked on the screenplay, the life and death of J.B. Books parallel the passing of the American west and the advent of the twentieth century. Wayne’s performance is made all the more poignant by the fact that he had cancer at the time of filming, and in less than three years, he would succumb to stomach cancer at the age of 72.
The movie was directed by Don Siegel, who directed Dirty Harry and Escape from Alcatraz. It was nominated for five awards, including an Academy Award and a Golden Globe.
Mike,
It is an interesting list. I have only seen 2 of these. You make them sound pretty good. I am ready to start the popcorn and settle in for a while. 🙂 Thank you for sharing!
Cami, I’m glad you enjoyed the list, and I’m especially glad that I could steer you on to some movies you weren’t familiar with. Pop a lot of popcorn; you’ve got quite a night of great Western movie watching ahead of you.
Yes, you are quite right good Sir! Lol.
Interesting list, Michael. It’s notable that only 4 of your choices are from the ‘classic’ western era, which I would define as 1939-1976. You like the post 1976 stuff better than me, and mini-series. And its obvious ROBERT DUVALL is your man!
Thanks for checking out my list, Andrew, and for commenting. You’ve got me figured out. I think Duvall is the quintessential cowboy. His characterization of Gus McCrae is probably the best performance in all of movie history.
1.Unforgiven
2.The Good the Bad and the Ugly
3.The man who shot Liberty Valance
4.Rio Bravo
5.The Searchers
6.red River
7.Stagecoach
8.Once Upon a Time in the West
9.Highnoon
10.My Darling Clementine
11.Hell or High Water
12.No country for Old Men
You have a couple of interesting choices on there. The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance is one that I’ve watched multiple times, as is Rio Bravo. As a modern Western, No Country for Old Men would be a good choice. Maybe I should do another list for modern Westerns. Thanks for your comment.
1. Once upon a Time in the West
2. The Searchers
3. The Magnificent Seven ( 1960)
4.Open Range
5. Tombstone
6. Red River (1948)
7. The Man from Laramie
8. Unforgiven
9. How the West was won
10. Hang ’em High
Thanks, Karim. Another great list. I’m beginning to think I should have found room for Tombstone. Maybe I should have made it the 13 Best Western Movies.
1. Unforgiven
2. Once Upon a Time in the West
3.good Bad and the Ugly
4. For a few Dollars more
5. Hang em high
6. Tombstone
7. Shane
8. The Searchers
9. Nevada Smith
10. Outlaw Josie Wales
These are all good ones, Lynn. I actually thought about expanding my list so I could include a few of these, but once I start doing that, there’ll be no end to it. Thanks for your comment.