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Brannigan
1975
BRANNIGAN is an Irish Chicago cop (John Wayne) who goes to London in search of an American racketeer who fled the United States to avoid a grand jury. As the search develops, so does an interesting conflict between the Chicago detective and his Scotland Yard counterpart. This action-packed search through London sees Brannigan .. Read more
| Starring | John Wayne, Richard Attenborough, Judy Geeson, Mel Ferrer |
|---|---|
| Director | Douglas Hickox |
| Genres | Action/Adventure, Thriller |
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Brannigan
BRANNIGAN is an Irish Chicago cop (John Wayne) who goes to London in search of an American racketeer who fled the United States to avoid a grand jury. As the search develops, so does an interesting conflict between the Chicago detective and his Scotland Yard counterpart. This action-packed search through London sees Brannigan undergoing a death defying leap across Tower Bridge and a pub brawl to not only get his man, but out-manoevre an assassin on his own tail.
| Starring | John Wayne, Richard Attenborough, Judy Geeson, Mel Ferrer, John Vernon, Ralph Meeker, John Stride, James Booth |
|---|---|
| Director | Douglas Hickox |
| Studio | MGM ENTERTAINMENT |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 47 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Action/Adventure, Thriller |
| Language | DVD: English |
| Released | DVD: 12 Jan 2004 Production year: 1975 |
| Format | DVD |
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Critics' reviews (3)
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In this crime drama, Richard Attenborough plays the Scotland Yard police officer whose job it is to make sure visiting American cop John Wayne plays things by the book. It's essentially a western transported to London, with red double-deckers instead of stagecoaches and hangovers from swinging London. It is also a blatant rip-off of Clint Eastwood's Coogan's Bluff and Dirty Harry, which Wayne bitterly regretted turning down after seeing the film. But Wayne's ten-gallon charisma carries the movie and Attenborough looks fairly gobsmacked by acting with such a living legend.
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Wayne playing national monument (in the guise of a Chicago cop) is exported to London to get his man and take in the... read more on Time Out
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Most helpful member's review
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3 out of 3 people found this review helpful
A blast from the past,,,
There was something sort of magnetic about the 'Duke'; he may not have been the worlds greatest actor, but he certainly had something that kept people watching - and, above all, that's what he brings to 'Brannigan'.
The central plot itself is actually quite good, though as a whole the film doesn't quite live up to its promise; some of the cast seem a bit jaded - perhaps overawed by the big man or conscious of his declining health and advancing years - and the direction is somewhat patchy.
This film is not therefore one to rave about, but there are some delicious moments to savour: some because they are original, like the explosive precursor of a central element in 'Lethal Weapon' and the kidnapping of the criminal boss; others because of their somewhat comedic, even surreal reference to Wayne's career, like the bar room brawl and yet others because of the chance to see the British firmament of actors like Richard Attenborough, John Stride and others (as well as future names like Brian Glover, Tony Robinson) appearing with Wayne, however briefly.
I also found it pleasurable to watch for the rather odd reason that it features London in the seventies and, while the Chicago cop versus Scotland Yard angle doesn't really work for me (not enough understanding of British policing or culture) there is some good cinematography that captures the capital of that era. There is also a hint of the differences between Britain and America and, reading between the lines, a foretaste of the misunderstandings and 'prejudices' that affect our real relationship.
On the whole a good film to watch, but perhaps the viewer needs to suspend their critical faculties and just enter into the spirit of the thing to get the most out of it. It is fun rather than thrilling, entertainment rather than drama, reasonably competent rather than brilliant but it does possess enough unique, well-handled, moments to make it a minor treasure. -
Most recent members' review
View all -
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful
A blast from the past,,,
There was something sort of magnetic about the 'Duke'; he may not have been the worlds greatest actor, but he certainly had something that kept people watching - and, above all, that's what he brings to 'Brannigan'.
The central plot itself is actually quite good, though as a whole the film doesn't quite live up to its promise; some of the cast seem a bit jaded - perhaps overawed by the big man or conscious of his declining health and advancing years - and the direction is somewhat patchy.
This film is not therefore one to rave about, but there are some delicious moments to savour: some because they are original, like the explosive precursor of a central element in 'Lethal Weapon' and the kidnapping of the criminal boss; others because of their somewhat comedic, even surreal reference to Wayne's career, like the bar room brawl and yet others because of the chance to see the British firmament of actors like Richard Attenborough, John Stride and others (as well as future names like Brian Glover, Tony Robinson) appearing with Wayne, however briefly.
I also found it pleasurable to watch for the rather odd reason that it features London in the seventies and, while the Chicago cop versus Scotland Yard angle doesn't really work for me (not enough understanding of British policing or culture) there is some good cinematography that captures the capital of that era. There is also a hint of the differences between Britain and America and, reading between the lines, a foretaste of the misunderstandings and 'prejudices' that affect our real relationship.
On the whole a good film to watch, but perhaps the viewer needs to suspend their critical faculties and just enter into the spirit of the thing to get the most out of it. It is fun rather than thrilling, entertainment rather than drama, reasonably competent rather than brilliant but it does possess enough unique, well-handled, moments to make it a minor treasure. -
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