Search - The Shootist on DVD

MPAA Rating: PG Content Advisory: Adult Situations, Not For Children, Adult Language, Western Violence Movie Release: 1976 DVD Release: 07/24/2001 Format: DVD - Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV Edition: Special Collection Audio Tracks: English, French Subtitles: English SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 1 hrs 38 mins Studio: Paramount Members Wishing: 7 Genres: Western, Revisionist Western, Outlaw (Gunfighter) Film See Also: Shootist [Circuit City Exclusive] [Checkpoint]

About ten minutes into The Shootist, Doctor Hostetler (James Stewart) tells aging Western gunfighter John Bernard Books (John Wayne), "You have a cancer." Knowing that his death will be painful and lingering, Books is determined to be shot in the line of "duty." In his remaining two months, Books settles scores with old enemies, including gambler Pulford (Hugh O'Brian) and Marshall Thibido (Harry Morgan) and reaches out to new friends, including a feisty widow (Lauren Bacall) and her hero-worshipping son (Ron Howard). Throughout the film, Books' imminent demise is compared with the decline of the West, as represented by the automobiles and streetcars that have begun to blight the main street of Books' hometown. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

John Wayne - John Bernard Books
Lauren Bacall - Bond Rogers
Ron Howard - Gillom Rogers
Bill McKinney - Cobb
James Stewart - Dr. Hostetler

John Wayne's poignant final film is given a respectful DVD treatment by Paramount. As an aging gunfighter dying of cancer (as Wayne himself was), the "Duke" is surrounded by a stellar cast, including Lauren Bacall, James Stewart, Ron Howard, John Carradine, and Scatman Crothers. The DVD is presented in a sharp widescreen version enhanced for 16 x 9 TVs and Dolby Digital sound that really makes the gunshots pop. In addition, there is also a retrospective "making of" documentary with some of the surviving participants of the film that contains some surprising information. Among the interesting details contained in the documentary are the facts that George C. Scott was initially set for the role of the dying gunfighter, and that the excellent cast came together solely for the opportunity to work with Wayne in what was thought might be his final film. Paramount gives Wayne a fitting send-off to that big corral in the sky with this DVD version of The Shootist. ~ Russell Roberts, All Movie Guide