McQ (1974)

43% of critics liked it
(7 reviews)
61% of users liked it
(4,283 ratings)

Undoubtedly having second thoughts after turning down Dirty Harry, John Wayne showed up in 1974 in his own "maverick cop" adventure, McQ. Wayne, playing McQ, a veteran detective, turns in his badge when he's officially denied the opportunity of clearing the name of his late best friend, who has been… More Undoubtedly having second thoughts after turning down Dirty Harry, John Wayne showed up in 1974 in his own "maverick cop" adventure, McQ. Wayne, playing McQ, a veteran detective, turns in his badge when he's officially denied the opportunity of clearing the name of his late best friend, who has been posthumously accused of drug pushing. Investigating on his own, McQ becomes romantically involved with his friend's widow (Diana Muldaur), who unbeknownst to him is up to her neck in police corruption. Considering the usual flag-waving content of John Wayne's 1970s films, it is rather startling to discover that the real villains in McQ are a coterie of crooked cops! ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 51 min.
Directed By: John Sturges
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Mystery & Suspense, Classics

In Theaters: Feb 6, 1974 Wide
On DVD: May 3, 2005

Critic Reviews

Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
The Duke, desperate to maintain his hold with viewers, tries to step into the Dirty harry territory with this disappointing crimer.
Pablo Villaca, Cinema em Cena
Uma triste ironia do Cinema que a única colaboração entre Sturges e Wayne tenha sido neste policial urbano medíocre que já nasceu anacrônico.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
A rethinking, if you will, by the Duke of turning down the role of Dirty Harry.
Steve Crum, Kansas City Kansan
Without the Duke, this would be a mediocre police adventure

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Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

jay n

Not a great movie but a pretty good one. The Duke is too old for his part, he was much better served by the following years Brannigan, but he gruffs his way through. The story is standard and not too difficult to figure out but if you are a fan of crime movies this is an acceptable… More
Not a great movie but a pretty good one. The Duke is too old for his part, he was much better served by the following years Brannigan, but he gruffs his way through. The story is standard and not too difficult to figure out but if you are a fan of crime movies this is an acceptable time filler. Where it fails is in the wasting of three talented actresses Diana Muldaur, underused, Colleen Dewhurst, although she comes across the most strongly it is more the power of her personality and presence than anything she's given to work with in a throwaway part, and Julie Adams, she and Wayne have a good rapport in their one scene and you have a feeling there is more to their story but then she is gone from the film.
Conner R

Even though it's the poor man's Magnum Force, there's something really fun and different about McQ. John Wayne is always so charismatic and cool that it doesn't really matter what he's in, it's gonna be worthwhile. I really like the overall tone of the… More
Even though it's the poor man's Magnum Force, there's something really fun and different about McQ. John Wayne is always so charismatic and cool that it doesn't really matter what he's in, it's gonna be worthwhile. I really like the overall tone of the movie, it's not overly violent or over the top. It's more of a traditional approach to the genre, which is nice. I like that there is a world where you can be a one man army and still succeed on top.
Derek D

John Wayne was a cowboy, pure and simple. He was also a war veteran at times. But he most certainly was not a cop and this movie shows why. It's a guilty pleasure of mine and I enjoy it, but after seeing this film I'm glad he turned down Dirty Harry because that never… More
John Wayne was a cowboy, pure and simple. He was also a war veteran at times. But he most certainly was not a cop and this movie shows why. It's a guilty pleasure of mine and I enjoy it, but after seeing this film I'm glad he turned down Dirty Harry because that never would've worked with anyone excet for Clint. Not a bad movie, but certainly not a classic.
Dean M

John Wayne thunderously enforces the law in this great high-velocity thriller.
Barry L

I loved this movie. Even with an ageing and ill Wayne he was still a superb actor.