Un silencieux au bout du canon

If you don't particularly like John Wayne, then I doubt if this film will change your opinion. But, if you do like his films and want to watch some mindless action, it's not a bad bet at all--though the film is awfully derivative. That's because only a short time before this, the Dirty Harry films debuted and were VERY successful. John Wayne must have been really ticked, as he was first offered the part as Inspector Callahan ("Dirty Harry"). McQ is his attempt to cash in on the genre, though the results were definitely very mixed.

First, let's talk about the bad. The overall tone of the film is pretty dark and depressing. A plot involving stolen drugs and dirty cops was a far cry from the usual John Wayne fare. Plus I was pretty shocked when this newer and "hipper" Wayne gave drugs to Colleen Dewhurst to elicit her assistance AND THEN he slept with her! This just seemed rather gross. Occasionally, the Duke's reasoning abilities seemed a bit "super-human"--such as how did he know what he knew when the film was about to end??!! Also, unlike Dirty Harry and Wayne's next film (BRANNIGAN), there are no great lines from the film such as "you feelin' lucky, punk". Also, the story itself is just okay.

As for the good, there are some wonderful action scenes--ones that a 60-something Wayne couldn't have really done if his life had depended on it! And the final confrontation was really exciting and about what you'd hope for in the film.

By the way, while I only see this as a slightly better than average time-passer, his next film, BRANNIGAN, is a much better film. While not exactly a sequel, he plays a very similar role but the writing, locale and acting is just a whole lot better--and aside from THE SHOOTIST, is probably the best film of the final decade of Wayne's career.

Okay so John Wayne will forever be remembered as "The Duke" in a countless string of westerns, but watching him play an honorable and tough as nails cop named Police Lieutenant Lon McQ, is worth every penny watching him do "his thing". Some of the other IMDb reviewers have compared this film to the Dirty Harry (Clint Eastwood) films but in fact The Duke, is just playing himself and rather than seeing him riding a big horse The Duke is seen cruising and shooting in his extremely rare Brewster Green 1973 Pontiac Trans Am SD-455 (Super Duty). I could not imagine the Hollywood heavyweight John Wayne squeezing into a two (2) door 1974 Ford Pinto so of course if he is playing a cop out to revenge his friends murder and defending himself against a mob and drug cartel, the director has to put The Duke behind a muscle car.

Honestly, I have NEVER seen a bad John Wayne film and this is no exception. In fact I quite enjoyed the storyline, and John Wayne was perfectly cast as the lone detective out seeking justice with a big, big gun and two big fists. You will not be disappointed.

I give McQ a solid 7 out of 10 IMDb rating.

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 .

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.

McQ was one of John Wayne's efforts to move into a new era. McQ was not the best of Wayne's movies, but it wasn't the worst (an old friend who is no longer around once said there were no bad John Wayne movies). Just turning 50 myself, I remember the John Wayne movies of my youth, and Wayne was always "tops" on my list. McQ was "Classic Wayne" in a new era. The 70s were a time when men were starting to become different in the movies. Not like the men of my youth. Wayne kept that "macho" image going. In another post, a comment was made the Wayne used "big weapons" to foil the bad guys long before Rambo did. That is exactly right. It is great to sit and watch an action movie with so many great starts of the past (Wayne, Eddie Albert, Diana Muldaur, Colleen Dewhurst, Clu Gulager, and a young Roger E. Mosley). Another thing that is of interest is these so called "movie experts" that watch movies, and don't understand one thing about the movie they comment one. McQ's car was a Trans Am, not an AMC Hornet. It was referred to at a "Green Hornet" in reference to the TV show "The Green Hornet." It was the nickname of his car, not the made or model of the car. His Trans Am was the same color as the Green Hornet's car. This is a good John Wayne movie. Good music, good car chases, good story line. It is a good movie to sit and watch on an rainy afternoon. Enjoy it for what it is. A nice chance to relive some moments from your youth, and see the Duke in action. Enjoy yourself, and have fun. That was the purpose of the movie.