If McQ is John Wayne’s Dirty Harry, then Brannigan is his Coogan’s Bluff. He’s a cavalier Chicago P.D. lieutenant sent to London with extradition papers and handcuffs for American mobster Ben Larkin (John Vernon). The operation goes south when a rival syndicate kidnaps Larkin, and Brannigan has to work with uptight commander Sir Charles Swann (Richard Attenborough) to retrieve the bounty. Brannigan has no qualms taking on both the world’s most dangerous hit men and stuffy British society in this fish- out-of-water cop thriller, which features the Duke in a blistering car chase through the streets of London (driving on the left side!).
“A well-crafted action movie and, besides, it’s got John Wayne in it.” – Roger Ebert
