The Shooting (1967)

100% of critics liked it
(12 reviews)
60% of users liked it
(1,724 ratings)

Director Monte Hellman used his beloved "hunter as hunted" theme for his near-existential western The Shooting. Jack Nicholson and Warren Oates are starred in this bare-bones tale of an ex-bounty hunter (Oates) with a price on his head and the cocky young gun (Nicholson) who hopes to collect. The… More Director Monte Hellman used his beloved "hunter as hunted" theme for his near-existential western The Shooting. Jack Nicholson and Warren Oates are starred in this bare-bones tale of an ex-bounty hunter (Oates) with a price on his head and the cocky young gun (Nicholson) who hopes to collect. The film seems to be exclusively populated by Life's Losers; but even with portents of doom throughout, the ending is still a jaw-dropping experience. Demonstrating the parsimony he'd learned while working with Roger Corman, director Hellman shot The Shooting in Utah simultaneously with another feature, Ride in the Whirlwind, for a combined budget of $150,000. Completed in 1967, The Shooting did not receive widespread release until after Jack Nicholson achieved stardom in the early 1970s. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 22 min.
Directed By: Monte Hellman
Written By: Carole Eastman, Adrien Joyce
Genres: Western, Drama, Action & Adventure, Classics

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1967 Wide
On DVD: Nov 30, 2004
Studio: VCI

Critic Reviews

Brian Holcomb, Kinetofilm
What is most intriguing about "The Shooting" is the constant sense of undefined menace throughout.
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
One of my favorite Westerns.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
If there ever was an existential Western, this one is it.
Ed Gonzalez, Slant Magazine
Doesn't ask to be taken as an existentialist mechanism per say, though it certainly functions as one.
Jeffrey M. Anderson, San Francisco Examiner
An all-time great "B" Western with metaphysical undertones.
Ed Gonzalez, Apollo Guide
The film's ending is a favorite amongst cultists and it acts as the paradigm of Camus' thinking: stoic, but humane, and advocating nature over violence.

Read all 6 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Conner R

A very unique movie, it's really basic and dreamy. It feels more like an acid trip than an actual movie, the camera never moves toward the focus of the scene but wherever it feels like going. For the very little dialogue and character development it has, Warren Oates and Jack… More
A very unique movie, it's really basic and dreamy. It feels more like an acid trip than an actual movie, the camera never moves toward the focus of the scene but wherever it feels like going. For the very little dialogue and character development it has, Warren Oates and Jack Nicholson manage to have some very memorable characters. It's not exactly an essential part of film history or westerns, but it's interesting.
Eric B

Peculiar Western...existential, indeed. Millie Perkins sure was beautiful, but I think she's out of her depth as an actress here.