Don Siegel’s The Shootist has always been one of those films that carries a real weight — not just because it’s John Wayne’s last screen role, but because of the way it grapples with ageing, mortality, and the end of the Old West. Arrow Video’s new UK Blu-ray does the film justice, both in presentation and in extras. The transfer looks excellent. Sourced from a 2K restoration, the image is clean and natural, with healthy grain and colours that feel true to the period. Overall, it’s easily the best I’ve seen the film look on home video. The audio sticks to the original mono track — clear dialogue, strong effects, and Elmer Bernstein’s poignant score all come through beautifully. It’s not flashy, but it’s faithful, which feels right for this film. Where Arrow really shines is in the extras. The disc is loaded: a detailed commentary, smart visual essays, a fascinating interview with western historian C. Courtney Joyner, and even a feature on Bernstein’s music. There’s also an older featurette, galleries, trailers, reversible sleeve art, and a booklet with new writing. For anyone who enjoys digging into a film’s history, this is a treasure trove. As for the film itself, Wayne delivers one of his finest performances as J.B. Books, an ageing gunfighter facing his final days. The supporting cast (Lauren Bacall, Ron Howard, James Stewart) is superb, and Siegel directs with restraint, letting the melancholy themes come through without overplaying them. It’s a dignified farewell to Wayne, and to a whole era of western filmmaking. All told, this is a first-class release. The picture and sound are strong, the supplements are generous, and the film remains powerful nearly fifty years on. If you’re a fan of Wayne, Siegel, or westerns in general, this Arrow edition is absolutely worth adding to the shelf.