The Shootist - Movie Main Theme~Elmer Bernstein

The Shootist is a 1976 Western starring John Wayne in his final film role. It was based on the 1975 novel of the same name by Glendon Swarthout. Scott Hale and Miles Hood Swarthout (son of the author) wrote the screenplay. Don Siegel directed.
The movie begins with a clip montage of some of John Wayne's earlier western movies.

John Bernard (J. B.) Books (John Wayne) is an aging gunfighter, the most celebrated "shootist" alive. However, both he and the Old West are dying. Arriving in Carson City, Nevada in late January 1901, Books seeks a second medical opinion from someone he trusts, E. W. "Doc" Hostetler (Jimmy Stewart). Once Hostetler confirms the prognosis of a painful and undignified death from cancer, Books rents a room from the widow Bond Rogers (Lauren Bacall) and her son Gillom (Ron Howard).

When Marshal Walter Thibido (Harry Morgan) visits Books to order him to leave town, Books tells Thibido that he has cancer and plans to die right there. The marshal, who, at first, does not believe Books, was originally frightened by Books' presence in town.

Thibido leaks the news of Books' presence in town, and enemies are drawn to him by their desire to settle old scores. Mike Sweeney (Richard Boone), whose brother Books killed, and others who seek fame by killing the gunfighter are among his foes. Books kills two men who try to ambush him in his sleep.

Old flame Serepta (Sheree North) shows up to ask him to marry her. At first, Books is touched, but then he learns that she wants to use his notoriety to make money from the sensationalized ghost-written "memoirs" of his widow. He also bargains with some others who plan to profit from his death, Moses Brown (Scatman Crothers) and the undertaker Hezekiah Beckham (John Carradine).

Unexpectedly, a romance blossoms between Books and Bond. However, he informs her that he has little time left. A friendship also develops between Gillom and the famous boarder.

For his 51st birthday, Books sends Gillom to inform three gunmen, Sweeney, professional gambler Jack Pulford (Hugh O'Brian), and Jay Cobb (Bill McKinney), that he will be at the local saloon. It is early in the day, and there are no other customers for the bartender besides the four men. One by one, each of the three shoots it out with Books. After the firing ends, Gillom enters the saloon to find Books the last man "standing," though he has been wounded several times. Then the bartender shoots the old man. Gillom grabs Books' pistol and kills the bartender, then throws the gun away, to the silent approval of Books. After Books dies, Gillom lays his coat over the gunfighter's body and walks out.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• The
• Shootist
• Movie
• Main
• Theme
• Elmer
• Bernstein
• Western
• John
• Wayne
• Don
• Siegel
• Gunfighter
• Lauren
• Bacall
• Ron
• Howard
• Harry
• Morgan
• James
• Stewart

[walkabou5]

Superb score by Elmer Bernstein.

[race2run]

I cannot watch this movie without crying!!

[witzmix]

Klasse Film, klasse Soundtrack. Der letzte Film einer Leinwandlegende. Es gibt keinen Ersatz für den Duke.

[hizzer51]

he is still the man