McQ

By the early seventies the western genre was in severe decline, and with the exception of Clint Eastwood the only other bankable actor within the genre who could return a sure fire hit was John Wayne. However having made a string or westerns in succession John Wayne was eager to broaden his horizons and undertake a new project, the project was to be a contemporary detective drama titled 'McQ'.

McQ is set in Seattle and follows Lon McQ (Duke) in his pursuit of the gangsters whom murdered his friend and colleague Stan Boyle. As the quest intensifies McQ uncovers the motive behind his friends killing and uncovers corruption that stems right to the top of the police hierarchy.

While the movie was slammed by critics and some anti Wayne elements its impossible to deny that John Wayne is well cast in this movie as a tough cop who is something of an outsider in a world of changing values. The Duke gives a fine performance with some good supporting players most notably Eddie Albert, Al Lettieri, Colleen Dewhurst and Diana Muldaur There are some well-staged action scenes including two high-speed car chases and an exciting climatic shootout. One notable if somewhat improbable action scene involves two lorries playing a large-scale version of dodgems with McQ's car that would have been very akin to a scene from a James Bond movie.

The movie delves into several interesting areas including corruption, family breakdowns and the shadowy underworld of drugs, one brilliantly directed and acted scene involves McQ exchanging drugs for vital information about an imminent drugs heist, this scene illustrates just how complex the drug underworld actually is and the chemistry between McQ and Myra is very evident.

The overall tone of the movie is notably grim and gritty and while the movie would have benefited from a larger budget, tighter direction and greater character development, nevertheless McQ was an undeniable hit at the box office and is a worthy entry into John Wayne's impressive portfolio.

I think it took some guts on John Wayne's part to do these kind of roles late in his career, roles like "McQ" and "Brannigan" instead of playing it safe and giving his long term fans more of what they expected of Wayne(The War film or Western) I felt Wayne pulled off the role quite well even at his advanced age! I thought the basic message of this film was that everybody has a price, not at all unusual a theme for a 70's film. It was nice to see John Wayne in such a contemporary themed film. Of course he would of been great as "Dirty Harry" but I'm glad Wayne met the modern times with films like this and "Brannigan". I LOVED the chases and lingo here!! If I had to choose my favorite film between "McQ" and "Brannigan", I would say "Brannigan" by a very very *slim* margin because I feel it has aged a bit better because there's more humor in "Brannigan" than "McQ". However that doesn't make this film any less worthy of a entertaining view by the fan of John Wayne or the casual film viewer. *** out of a possible **** stars!

I've always felt that John Wayne did his two police films McQ and Brannigan for a combination of reasons. Some of his last westerns before these like The Train Robbers and Cahill were really not up to standard and didn't get the reception at the box office Wayne films could usually expect. I also think those rugged western locations were becoming a problem healthwise. And of course Wayne was bowing to the public's new taste in heroes.

In McQ Wayne is investigating the death of his partner, the way Humphrey Bogart investigated the shooting death of Jerome Cowan in the Maltese Falcon. He has to go private to do it, he actually resigns from the Seattle PD and gets a private license, courtesy of a friend, David Huddleston. The investigation leads him to some surprising and not welcome conclusions.

John Wayne is always the great symbol of law and order and at first glance you would think this might not be a role for him, investigating crooked cops. But when you think about it in films like Tall in the Saddle and Rio Lobo he dealt with crooked sheriffs in the usual Wayne manner. In fact the whole point of Rio Lobo is Wayne putting his whole life on hold to find a couple of guys who betrayed him and their country during the Civil War. So McQ is definitely in line with both of those films.

In the supporting cast my favorite is Al Lettieri the drug kingpin of Seattle. Lettieri's death a few years after this film was a great loss to cinema. During the first half of the Seventies, ever since playing Virgil Sollozzo in The Godfather, Lettieri created some really outstanding villains and Manny Santiago here is one of them.

The ending will surprise you and its more Maltese Falcon than you would think.

This thrilling movie is a genuine ripping yarn with intrigue , mystery , tension and outstanding twists plots . An agreeable all action seventies nostalgia trip , being fast paced and rightly developed . The picture is packed with a stuffed ragbag of drugs , heavy arms and cars . Seattle cop Lon McQ (aging Wayne , he was 66 when he played a cop for the first time) investigates the murder of his best friend , Stan Boyle (William Bryant) , and the corruption within the police department . McQ believes Manuel Santiago (Al Lettieri) is behind this killing . McQ is a peculiar cop who lives on a boat (this boat McQ lives on actually belonged to John Wayne) and using mercilessly weapons (introducing the MAC-10 submachine gun to the general public and creating a demand for it) against enemy . As defying the orders of his superior , Captain Ed Kosterman (Eddie Albert) , lieutenant McQ takes justice on his own hands , he resigns to track them down . McQ enlists the help of private detective "Pinky" (David Huddleston) and J . C. (Jordan Christopher) . Meanwhile , McQ becomes involved with a twisted intrigue filled with narcotics , corrupt people , big dope dealers , shotguns and traitors . McQ driving his car Brewster Green 1973 Pontiac pursues and shoots nasties , mobsters and corrupt police officers . Including an exciting and breathtaking finale car chase .

One of Duke's last movies with a more work modern day assignment than most . Stepping out of his ordinary Westerns and into the character of a Seattle police man , here Big Duke goes in search of revenge on the gangsters who killed his best friend . Although , it was originally intended as a vehicle for Steve McQueen , it was heavily rewritten for John Wayne . John Wayne starred in this film , along with Brannigan (1975) , because he missed out on starring in Dirty Harry (1971). Stirring film in which there are nail-biting action scenes , intrigue , blasts , suspenseful set pieces and a big star as well as an excellent plethora of secondaries such as : Eddie Albert , Colleen Dewhurst , Clu Gulager , David Huddleston , Al Lettieri , Roger E. Mosley , Julian Christopher , and Julie Adams . This thrilling film is just a rip-off of Bullit (1968) and Dirty Harry , taking parts here and there . Colorful and atmospheric cinematography by Harry Stradling . Including the spectacular ending sequence in which McQ (Wayne) and Lois (Diana Muldaur) driving along the coast , it was filmed on the Olympic Peninsula of Washington State ; there were filming delays when the beach was foggy . Original musical score by the classic Elmer Bernstein , including a catching leitmotif .

The motion picture was compelling and forcefully directed , thanks capable hands of filmmaker John Sturges , if not much continuity , though at the beginning he was opposed to the casting of John Wayne in the title role , due to the actor's age . This is the only movie westerns director John Sturges and westerns film actor John Wayne made together . The redoubtable John demonstrates his skill and mettle here . Sturges was a warlike genre expert (Great escape , Never so few , The Eagle has landed) and Western master (Gunfight OK Corral , Last train of Gun Hill , The law and Jake Wade , Magnificent Seven , Escape from Fort Bravo ). McQ rating: 6.5/10 , Acceptable and passable. It is like Dirty Harry done with a veteran Big Duke . Well worth seeing , the movie will appeal to John Wayne fans .

John Wayne is Lieutenant Lon McQ (yes, that is his actual name) who finds himself in trouble. Several cops are murdered, by another cop who happens to be McQ's partner, who is then himself murdered. Thrown off the case he proceeds to investigate himself and uncovers a plot of corruption and formerly seized narcotics.

The film is quite dated by today's standards as the "lone cop" formula has all but been beaten into the ground. So to enjoy this film one must realize it is in fact from 1974 when cop flicks were as typical as teen comedies are now. Also despite having many similarities to 'Bullitt' and 'Dirty Harry' this is still an enjoyable action movie in its own right. It is not a classic since the story is a lot less inventive as the aforementioned films, but it is pretty cool to see John Wayne as a cop - he is no less tough then when sporting six shooters and riding a horse. Inevitably, the film would have prospered more if Wayne was a bit younger, but he is still good as the lead pretty much as he always has been in previous roles.

Also, there are several car chases - all are very different. From the typical driving down the road, to down alleyways, and even on a beach! Also for you car chase fans, this film supposedly contains the first ever cannon-roll car stunt on film. So, story department aside, the film has an edge that is quite fun and enjoyable. 7/10

Rated PG for violence