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The Gritty 70's: John Sturges' McQ (1974)


It's quite a well-known fact that before Clint Eastwood played the iconic Dirty Harry (1971) that a number of other Hollywood superstars were up for the role, such as Burt Lancaster, Lee Marvin and Frank Sinatra. Out of those offered, one of the most famous at the time would have to be the Duke himself, John Wayne.


While it's difficult to think of anyone other than Eastwood filling Harry's shoes, it is interesting to think how different the film would be to the seminal classic audiences were given.

The closest John Wayne would come to starring in a film of this type would be John Sturges' McQ (1974). Apparently written with Steve McQueen in mind, the film had to be reworked considerably upon the casting of Wayne in the lead role. Perhaps Wayne felt he missed out when Dirty Harry became such a success.

Sturges objected to the casting of Wayne at the time, but it's hard to imagine anyone else in the role. Sure, he's clearly too old for the part but this doesn't matter because he's, you know, John Wayne.

Wayne stars as Lon McQ, a Seattle detective investigating the death of his partner, who is thought to have been killed by street militants. McQ thinks different and eventually is able to find out who was behind it. Unfortunately for McQ, the killer knows people in high places, resulting in him being taken off the case.

Disgusted, McQ resigns from the force. Instead of giving up his investigation, he contacts an old private eye friend to help him continue the investigation. As he goes on he finds out those linked to this conspiracy are closer to him than he though.

Having helmed classics like Gunfight at the O.K. Corral (1957) The Magnificent Seven (1960) and The Great Escape (1963), it's no surprise that John Sturges does a professional job behind the camera. While it may pale somewhat under those mentioned, Sturges keeps things moving at a good pace, filling the film with a number of exciting action scenes.


The best of these are the two car chases that take place throughout. The first is clearly influenced by Bullit (1968), with Wayne giving chase in his Pontiac Firebird Transam through the streets of Seattle.


The second is especially impressive, with the car chase culminating on a beach with Wayne brandishing a sub machine gun. This scene featured the first car stunt to use a black powder cannon charge to flip a car. Famed Hollywood stuntman and director was the first to practice this, with him ending up in hospital. Luckily it worked out, with stuntman Gary McLarty performing it perfectly for the completed film.

In addition to the action, the performances are all on point. While John Wayne is essentially John Wayne, the likes of Diana Muldaur, Al Lettieri, Eddie Albert, Clu Gulager and Coleen Dewhurst are all solid.

McQ marked the first time in his lengthy career that John Wayne ever played a cop. For some it may take some time to get used to him not riding a horse, but real fans of the actor won’t care. McQ marked the first modern set film Wayne had made since Andrew V McLaglen’s Hellfighters (1968) 6 years previously.


While it's true that he was too old for the part, he is never the less totally believable as a tough guy, with him getting involved in numerous shootouts, fist fights and car chases. Going by accounts, shooting the film proved to be especially difficult for Wayne, with him getting quickly out of breath and requiring oxygen. This was down to Wayne only having the one lung, having the other removed in the mid-sixties when he contracted lung cancer. Still, this isn’t evident in the completed film, with Wayne still every bit the quintessential action hero.

There are enough twists, turns and small character touches to keep things interesting. Some elements may appear dated in these modern times, but at the time of McQ’s production they would have been perceived as quite gritty. Screenwriter Lawrence Roman had quite a lengthy career, dating back to the 50's, although McQ is definitely one of his more notable works.

Wayne would follow up McQ with another cop role in Brannigan (1975), although it pales in comparison to McQ. It may not be on par with some of Wayne's best work, and while it's certainly no Dirty Harry, McQ is still an exciting crime thriller with John Wayne being his usual tough guy best.

Rating: 3.5/5

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