The Shootist 03/09/24

Arrow Video USA
Blu-ray

John Wayne’s final movie is a somber, blood-soaked farewell trimmed with sentimental guest-star cameos and closing-the-book gestures. Wayne is terrific as the gunfighter-at-sunset; Lauren Bacall makes the best impression amid a gallery of old friends that includes James Stewart. Audiences didn’t know what to make of the gory final gunfight … was Wayne giving in to changing times?  The polished production leads with Don Siegel’s assured direction; Arrow pours on the extras, with profiles of Siegel and author Glendon Swarthout. On Blu-ray from Arrow Video.
03/09/24