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Brannigan (film)

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Brannigan
Directed byDouglas Hickox
Written byMichael Butler,
Christopher Trumbo
Produced byArthur Garnder,
Jules Levy
StarringJohn Wayne,
Richard Attenborough,
Judy Geeson,
Mel Ferrer,
John Vernon,
Ralph Meeker,
Daniel Pilon
Music byDominic Frontiere
Distributed byUnited Artists
Release dates
March 26, 1975

Brannigan is a 1975 film set in London starring John Wayne and Richard Attenborough, directed by Douglas Hickox. It tells the story of a Chicago detective sent to England to organise the extradition of an American mobster (John Vernon).

Template:Spoilers After turning down the role of Dirty Harry and seeing the subsequent success of the film John Wayne made two gritty police thrillers in quick succession. After McQ he ventured over the Atlantic to make a “cop out of water” film in the same vein as Clint Eastwood's Coogan's Bluff.

Tough Chicago cop Jim Brannigan is sent to London to extradite notorious American gangster, Ben Larkin, but before he can collect him, Larkin is kidnapped and Brannigan spends the rest of the film chasing around London in search of his quarry. Whilst struggling to adapt to the British way of life and the restrained style of policing, he employs techniques not usually seen outside Chicago. In the meantime, a contract has been put out on Brannigan's life by Larkin to prevent him from being extradited.

Richard Attenborough gives support as the stuffy, upper-class Metropolitan Police Commander who's not afraid to get his hands dirty . There is continual conflict on screen about Brannigan's retention and use of his handgun. Small roles are taken by Brian Glover and Don Henderson as heavies and Tony Robinson (from Blackadder).

The film is notable for its well executed action sequences, including a specatuclar car chase featuring Brannigan jumping a Ford Capri across Tower Bridge. Template:Endspoilers