This movie is the proof that the world is becoming a sick and dumb place

At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

The acting in this movie is really good.

The thing I enjoyed most about the film is the fact that it doesn't shy away from being a super-sized-cliche;

BRANNIGAN is an engaging fish-out-of-water cop thriller clearly modelled on DIRTY HARRY. A larger-than-life John Wayne plays the jaded American cop sent to London to bring down a crime lord, and an ensemble cast of familiar faces from the era either help or hinder him along the way. I thought this was a great little thriller, with plenty of action and suspense along the way, including shootings, assassination attempts, and even a car chase for good measure. It was directed by Douglas Hickox, of THEATRE OF BLOOD fame, and has a similarly gritty look. Judy Geeson plays Wayne's partner while the likes of John Vernon and Mel Ferrer are the bads. Watch out for Tony Robinson in a youthful comic cameo.

I will never say it enough. That's very surprising that the Duke finished his acting career with two crime flicks - except of course THE SHOOTIST. Crime flicks which were never his field. And he was pretty good, in the line of Dirty Harry scheme. I would have love to see him playing with Diana Rigg, as he was initially supposed to. But the most amusing scene here is the pub fist fight, just in the John Ford or Andy McLaglen tradition. Ward Bond, Victor McLaglen, Ben Johnson or Harry Carey Jr were missing in this sequence. Without the Duke this sequence would have been totally useless. Good film, but not a masterpiece.

Superstars just Can't Help Themselves. Usually, Late in Their Stellar Careers, They have a Tendency to Remind Us all that indeed They are Human (Fat Elvis in a ridiculous bejeweled jumpsuit anyone?). This one is from "The Duke", John Wayne.Looking Old and Dying (He was), Wayne Stops just Short of Completely Embarrassing Us and Himself. He took on another Tough Cop Role (even after the big flop McQ (1974). Helping Him along this Misstep is a Good Supporting Cast and a Decent Production.The Most Glaring Cringe is the totally Out of Time and Place, Saloon Fisticuffs. But, there is just Enough Gravitas Left in Wayne to make this Worth a Watch for Fans. Thank the Lucky Stars that He Ended His Long Career Perfectly Cast and with the Excellent Direction from Don Siegel, His Curtain Call, "The Shootist" (1976) is One that the Big Galoot Can be Proud.

Is it John Wayne's best movie? Far from it. Is it is his worst? Again, no. But in regard to the latter it is down there. I didn't like Brannigan at all, I tried to but it didn't work. The cinematography and location shooting are good but little else works. A big problem I regret to say is John Wayne himself. He is very miscast here, and I have only seen one other movie(The Conqueror) of where he is so out of place and disconnected. Another big problem is the story, as others have noted it tries to follow in the footsteps of (the much better) Dirty Harry, but it comes across as convoluted and dull. The script is very clunky, the action is unexciting, the film is overlong and drags and the direction is sloppy. The remainder of the cast don't make much amends either, Richard Attenborough especially comes across as too earnest and overwhelmed. So all in all, in most respects it is a clunky mess. 3/10 Bethany Cox