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Here are John Wayne ’s twoDirty Harry - inspired cop thrillers explained - and why they did n’t quite work . After days of starring in B vitamin - movie Westerns , John Wayne broke through thanks to the success of 1939’sStagecoach . While the star appeared in just about every writing style - even horror , with 1932’sHaunted Gold- he ’s a screen icon thanks to his many cattleman part . FromRio BravotoTrue Gritand his final filmThe Shootist , he arrive to be see as the defining image of the big - covert rodeo rider . While horse opera were a huge genre during Wayne ’s heyday , but the end of the ' 60s , their popularity had started to decline and came to be watch as too old - fashioned for forward-looking audiences .
Clint Eastwood also made a life history out of appearing in Westerns liketheDollarsmovie trilogythat portrayed a darker , more misanthropic view of the West . Eastwood was able to evolve beyond the genre because of 1971’sDirty Harry . Eastwood meet the nominal detective , who is more than willing to conk out the rules to catch a vicious killer stalk San Francisco . While many critics were appalled by the movie ’s seeming endorsement of vigilantism , Dirty Harrywas a major success that spawned four sequels in later years .
touch on : John Wayne ’s Only Horror Movie Role
Eastwood was n’t the first choice forDirty Harry , with stars like Frank Sinatra turn it down . Wayne was also offer the film , but later revealed he passed on it partly because he did n’t want a role Sinatra rejected . The virtuoso was also in his LX and was seen as a small too old to pull the type off convincingly .
John Wayne Didn’t Suit The Dirty Harry Mould
OnceDirty Harrywas a success , Wayne lamented his decision and after some of his recent Westerns like theterribleRio Loboflopped , he decided to try something more modern . This lead him to two copper thrillers that sought to cash in onDirty Harryand its 1973 sequelMagnum Force , but neither flick hit with viewers .
McQ (1974)
John Wayne ’s firstDirty Harryrip - off stray him as a veteran Seattle police detective who goes rascal to retaliate his spouse ’s execution . This puts him up agains a drug dealer and corrupted elements within the force . Of Wayne ’s two police thrillers , McQfeels the snug in spirit toDirty Harry , including the title eccentric ’s rule - breaking and questionable ( to put it lightly ) treatment of suspect . The movie features some solidly staged action but while Wayne is a commanding bearing , McQproves thatDirty Harrymade the ripe casting choice . Eastwood could dally both the animalism and moral ambivalency of the role , but withMcQ , Wayne seems a fiddling uncomfortable with both aspects .
Brannigan (1975)
John Wayne ’s secondDirty Harrymovierip - off isBrannigan , where his Chicago detective is air to London to wreak back a crime lord ( played byDirty Harry’sown John Vernon).Branniganalso has an former buddy cop movie hook , as Wayne is partner with Richard Attenborough more strait - laced , by the book detective . Branniganhas several strong points , including a Western - inspire fight in a London gin mill and the winning chemistry between Wayne and Attenborough , but its needlessly complex plot and slow tempo drag it right down . The movie also feels more in line with a John Wayne Western than a innovative ( for its era at least ) thriller , and it must have feel dated even back in 1975 .
Next : foul Harry True Story : Was John Wayne Almost Cast Over Clint Eastwood ?
