McQ
McQ
PG | 04 January 1974 (USA)
McQ Trailers

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

Reviews
Harockerce What a beautiful movie!
Ogosmith Each character in this movie — down to the smallest one — is an individual rather than a type, prone to spontaneous changes of mood and sometimes amusing outbursts of pettiness or ill humor.
Kien Navarro Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.
Ella-May O'Brien Each character in this movie — down to the smallest one — is an individual rather than a type, prone to spontaneous changes of mood and sometimes amusing outbursts of pettiness or ill humor.
bellino-angelo2014 This can be looked as a version of ''Dirty Harry'', with John Wayne instead of Clint Eastwood, and directed by John Sturges instead of Don Siegel.Here renegade Cop Lon McQ (Wayne) tries to avenge the death of a friend trying also to investigate and uncover the corruption of the Seattle police department, even against his chief (Albert), that even suspends McQ from service.The only negative comment about the cast is that John Wayne, that was 67 at the time, was too old to play a cop in the ''Dirty Harry'' style, but the other cast members are all famous faces of those years' TV and movies, like Eddie Albert as Kosterman, McQ's superior that hates his un-ortodox methods and in the end believes him, Julie Adams in a small supporting role as Elaine, the wife of McQ's dead friend, Colleen Dewursth as McQ's former wife, Diana Muldaur as Lois, the girl who helps McQ in his investigations, and Al Lettieri as Santiago, the Mexican drug smuggler.By the way, it's an interesting crime movie of the 1970s and it's suitable for everyone, I give this 8 out of 10. A must-see also for John Wayne fans that wants to see him in a different role!
SnoopyStyle A man shoots a policeman. The man turns out to be police detective Sgt. Stan Boyle and he in turn is also killed by a co-conspirator. Captain Edward Kosterman (Eddie Albert) directs the investigation to militants. Boyle's former partner Lieutenant Lon 'McQ' McHugh (John Wayne) believes it to be drug lord Manny Santiago. McQ is reprimanded for beating him up. Instead of accepting desk duty, McQ quits the force. He continues his investigation leading to Santiago planning a heist of a police drug evidence shipment.This is the era of police drama after Bullitt. John Wayne is still smarting from not getting Dirty Harry and this is his take. Despite being only three years later, Wayne is way too old to play the role this way. He is not this type of action star. He has spent a lifetime moseying on the range and director John Sturges is much more known for his westerns. Every time Wayne goes into action, there is an old fashion stiffness about him. He's over 65 and should play much more into the retirement aspect of this character. He should be saying I'm too old for this. There are a couple of nice car chases although they are not better than their competitors. I do love the scene where Santiago catches McQ in his office. That's a nice twist although better misdirection would actually make it shocking. The plot is a bit too meandering. At least, this is a nice what-if movie.
MrOllie I have watched this film three times and have always found it entertaining. John Wayne was perhaps slightly too old for the part, however, I thought he did a pretty good job as the Dirty Harry type cop who wants to know why is partner was killed. There are shootings and car chases along with warnings by his immediate boss (played by Eddie Albert)to curb his unconventional ways of policing. Of course, The Duke takes no notice and carries on his investigations in his own style. As many reviewers have stated, a stand out scene features Colleen Dewhurst as a somewhat burnt out ex-girlfriend of his partner. For me, it was an enjoyable and entertaining film.
Milan Sure, he maybe over the hill, and he maybe miscast in a role that was tailor made for Steve McQueen or Clint Eastwood, but the Duke is still good as a crusader police detective, fighting the department and the crooks at the same time, and, as in any good crime picture, he wins on both fronts. McQ is no better or worse than most of 70's cop movies, and it's crafty pace and looks have a lot to do with two veteran professionals, John Sturges directing, and John Wayne's portrayal of action roles, that he does strictly by the numbers.If you're a fan of police & thieves genre crime movies of the 70's, you won't be disappointed with this showcase for the Duke, and may even enjoy it. Be sure to give it a look.