McQ [DVD]

I first saw "McQ" in the theater soon after it was first released in early 1974. I was 18 at the time, well I'm 64 now and I got it on DVD and I appreciate it even more. John Wayne plays a cop for the first time. Lon McHugh,(that's how it's really spelled,) a Seattle Detective Lt. after drug dealers and mobsters. The head mobster named Santiago was played by Al Lettieri who played a rotten no good gangster in "The Godfather". Directed by John Sturges ,("The Magnificent Seven" from 1960 and "The Great Escape" from 1963,) does a fine job here.Features a good supporting cast, fine cinematography by Harry Stradling,Jr. who filmed the great western "Little Big Man" from 1970 and was nominated for the "Oscar" for "The Way We Were" from 1973 and score by the great Elmer Bernstein. "The Duke" drives a cool Pontiac Trams Am called "The Green Hornet", very rare now , worth 100 thousand dollars or more today. It is pretty well known now that John Wayne was first offered the role of "Dirty Harry". The creators of "Dirty Harry" Rita and Harry Julian Fink ,a husband and wife writing team ,who wrote the Western "Big Jake" for him in 1971 offered the role to him. He said in an interview in 1973 that he turned the role down "because he couldn't speak the language. People don't want that big a change in John Wayne." Steve McQueen also turned it down because he didn't want to do another cop movie after "Bullitt" from 1968. Paul Newman also turned it down and suggested it to Clint Eastwood who didn't regret it. The DVD features an entertaining 10 minute documentary from 1973 and the trailer.The taglines for the movie posters read, "McQ is a busted cop. His gun is unlicensed. His methods are unlawful. His story is incredible." and "Wayne On Wheels !!!"

Good Movie

I'll admit, the Duke is a bit long in the tooth for this action movie; however, it's enjoyable for me. I lived in Seattle during the time of this movie. Seeing the downtown city as it was, the grittier parts, the old, now gone, Aurora Avenue overpass just brings back good memories. The storyline was interesting and the action was entertaining. It isn't for everyone but it took me back in time to a city I love.

It is excelllent quality and I enjpyed it. I only had the original VHS tape until I got this disc.

Yeah the Duke is a cop and not a cowboy. He should of stepped out of the box more back in the day. A classic to me.

great movie, the blu-ray conversion was well done.

'McQ' ( 1974 ) starring John Wayne ( in one of his last films ) as a police detective, is an action movie with a good plot, charismatic ( obviously ) lead actor, and a good supporting cast. It had the additional virtue of being filmed in a then fairly off-the-beaten path location ( Seattle ). Enjoyable enough as an action film, it really could have been bumped up with a little more money thrown into the production, and *especially* a better score than the hackneyed TV sounding tub-thumper written by Elmer Bernstein ( I'm not kidding, the score is just awful and does the movie no favors at all ). Nonetheless, 'McQ' is good enough as it came out; I especially enjoyed Wayne's scenes with Colleen Dewhurst and Diana Muldaur. The climactic chase and shoot-out on the beachfront is as good as I remembered the first time I saw it ( in the late 70's in an adulterated form on network TV ).*******My use of the star system of rating films: primary question I ask is the likelihood of my watching the movie again.1 star = regret having spent the time watching it ( I may not have stayed all the way through )2 star = didn't like it that much but stuck it out until the end; won't watch again3 star = enjoyed it but maybe not enough ( in all likelihood ) to see it again4 star = really liked it and likely will watch it again5 star = loved it and will definitely watch it again

After a spate of overnight cop-killings on the streets of 'Seattle' head-of-homicide' 'Kosterman' (Eddie Albert) orders a dragnetbelieving the killings are the work of street militants .'McQ' (John Wayne) who's close friend and colleague 'Boyle' was among the victims he wants to lead the investigation believingthe reason behind the killings more likely to be drug-related.However 'Kosterman' tells 'McQ' he's too close to one of the victims to become involved, after a threat to have 'McQ' desk-boundduring the investigation the veteran cop turns in his badge.'McQ' is old-school and has his own way of doing things, under the cover of being a licensed private investigator he'll dig out thetruth himself.'McQ' is convinced a high-profile drug lord is behind the killings, however as he digs deeper the truth will be far less comfortablefor him.'John Wayne' trades in his horse for a high-powered fast-car in this cop-thriller which has some good car-chase and fire-fight sequencesto enjoy along the way.Though probably not the best cop-movie of the early 70's it is enjoyable, and an essential addition to ones collection if a fan of 'The Duke''John Wayne' of course is best remembered for his many Westerns he did of course star in many other films such as this.Good Blu-ray upgradeThe Film is ''Multi-Region'Features -Featurette - 'McQ' John Wayne in ActionTheatrical Trailer.