The 1970s saw John Wayne's long-running career come to an end with the actor's death in 1979, but before that point he made two contemporary police thrillers, the only ones of his lengthy career. These were made in response to his missing out on Clint Eastwood's role in DIRTY HARRY. Of the two, I have a huge fondness for BRANNIGAN due to the London setting, but MCQ turns out to be a serviceable little picture that feels heavily indebted to BULLITT with plenty of car-focused mayhem and chasing taking place on the streets of Seattle. Wayne plays a cop in the usual maverick mould, hunting down the killers of his partner who is executed in the film's violent opening sequence. Police corruption and drug dealing are the elements of the story here, and it's all stylish and fast-paced enough to be watchable. Wayne does feel long in the tooth but his trademark charisma and charm shine through and there's very little to dislike overall.

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 .

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.

He's tough, and compassionate! He's Lon McQ, lieutenant for the Seattle Police Dept. His partner and best friend is murdered, and Lon sets out to avenge his death. McQ has his sights on a drug dealer, but everything isn't as it seems...This is actually a fun movie, but a little dated. I thought John Wayne was just a little too old for this role -- I didn't know if his hair was a wig or dyed, but either way it didn't look natural. Aside from that, all the acting in this film was very good, and the action sequences were also pretty good.The car "chase" after the heist really wasn't much of a chase, because the bad guys weren't really driving very fast. And the big "heist" wasn't really all that thrilling, either. It wasn't as complex as other "heists" in other films.But the car chase at the end of the film was pretty cool. I knew this film was going to be goofy when we first meet McQ. A "professional hit-man" shoots at McQ but misses (of course). The guy is running away, down the wharf (toward the water?), and McQ nails him with one shot. For a professional hit-man, he wasn't too good.I also loved McQ's theme by Elmer Bernstein -- a little overused, but every hero has his own theme, right? I also liked Rosey the informant. He reminded me of Rollo from the TV show Sanford and Son. Very stereotypical pimp for the times. What a hoot.This film isn't "art", but it is fun, and a good way to kill a Saturday night.