McQ (1974)

Seattle cop is caught up in a corrupt police force that he is trying to make right. Mq is a cop with a mission.

Director:

John Sturges

Writer:

Lawrence Roman

Stars:

John Wayne, Eddie Albert, Diana Muldaur

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
John Wayne	...	Lon McQ
Eddie Albert	...	Ed Kosterman
Diana Muldaur	...	Lois Boyle
Colleen Dewhurst	...	Myra
Clu Gulager	...	Franklin Toms aka Frank
David Huddleston	...	Edward W. Farrow aka Pinky
Julian Christopher	...	J.C. Davis (as Jim Watkins)
Al Lettieri	...	Manny Santiago
Julie Adams	...	Elaine
Roger E. Mosley	...	Rosey
William Bryant	...	Stan Boyle
Richard Kelton	...	Radical
Joe Tornatore	...	LaSalle
Dick Friel	...	Bob Mahoney
Richard Eastham	...	Walter Forrester

Storyline

Police Lieutenant Lon McQ investigates the killing of his best friend and uncovers corrupt elements of the police department dealing in confiscated drugs.

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Plot Keywords:

police officer | pontiac trans am | hitman | pacific northwest | silencer | 

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Taglines:

Wayne on wheels!

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Genres:

Action | Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

6 February 1974 (USA)

Also Known As:

Detektiv McQ

Filming Locations:

Olympic Peninsula, Washington, USA

Box Office

Gross USA:

$9,280,710

Company Credits

Production Co:

Batjac Productions, Levy-Gardner

Technical Specs

Runtime:

111 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

McQ's boat is docked at the Northlake Marina on Lake Union near the Aurora Avenue bridge.

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Goofs

McQ uses an Ingram MAC-10 9mm machine pistol, which fires approximately 20 rounds per second. When firing the MAC-10 in the car, on the beach, no empty cartridges are ejected from the gun. Emptying a full 30 round magazine would have sprayed casings all over the car.

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Quotes

Myra: You're a bear. I don't like bears.

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Alternate Versions

The 1980s Warner Home Video VHS master was made from a 16mm TV print missing ten seconds of footage including during the car chase involving a laundry truck, an additional punch from Santiago when he confronts McQ in his office, and the introduction of Santiago's henchman before the final chase on the beach. The later video releases and DVD are uncut.

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Connections

References Bullitt (1968)

User Reviews

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