McQ (1974)

User Rating:

5.8/10   

Director:

John Sturges

Writer:

Lawrence Roman (written by)

Release Date:

6 February 1974 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Drama | Crime

Tagline:

The cop no one can stop. Even the cops. [DVD]

Plot:

Police Lieutenant Lon McQ investigates the killing of his best friend and uncovers corrupt elements...

Plot Keywords:

Police | Drugs | Hitman | Detective | Private Detective

Cast

John Wayne	...	Det. Lt. Lon McQ
Eddie Albert	...	Capt. Ed Kosterman
Diana Muldaur	...	Lois Boyle
Colleen Dewhurst	...	Myra
Clu Gulager	...	Franklin Toms
David Huddleston	...	Edward M. 'Pinky' Farrow
Jim Watkins	...	J.C. Davis
Al Lettieri	...	Manny Santiago
Julie Adams	...	Elaine Forrester
Roger E. Mosley	...	Rosey
William Bryant	...	Sgt. Stan Boyle
Richard Kelton	...	Radical

Runtime:

111 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Australia:M | West Germany:16 (nf) | Finland:K-16 | Norway:16 | Sweden:15 | USA:PG | UK:15

Filming Locations:

Aberdeen, Washington, USA

Company:

Batjac Productions

Trivia:

Although John Wayne claimed he made this movie because he regretted turning down Dirty Harry (1971), it has been suggested that he was never actually offered the earlier movie due to his age.

Goofs:

Audio/visual unsynchronized: None of McQ's daughter's lines match what she's saying. It appears that her entire dialog was overdubbed by another actress.

Quotes:

Manny Santiago: [speaking on a pay phone in the men's room] So, one less detective to worry about.
[McQ grabs him from behind and puts him in a headlock]
Det. Lt. Lon McQ: Yeah, one less detective to worry about! I got a message from Patty Samuels! He's sorry he blew it on McQ but he rang it up with Boyle!

Movie Connections:

Edited into La classe américaine (1993) (TV)

Enjoyable, if dated

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