BRANNIGAN is a routinely plotted late vehicle for John Wayne,not in the saddle as you'd usually expect but in 1970's London.The location and the sight of Wayne in such unexpected surroundings is easily the strongest element of the film.The uninspired script and story (about pursuing gangster John Vernon) is somewhat compensated with some well handled action,some decent light relief,and the sheer spectacle of Wayne sharing scenes with familiar British character actors,a highly unusual and rather fascinating occurrence.Richard Attenborough is his main co-star here,along with Judy Geeson,who gives a good account of herself despite what is a basically underwritten and pointless role,but who would have thought that the Duke would ever share scenes with such actors as John Stride,Tony Booth,Del Henney and Tony Robinson? The best of these encounters is with that stalwart Yorkshire actor Brian Glover,a truly odd pairing of actors and styles,though the confrontation scene involved works rather well.
Director Douglas Hickox even manages to fit in a barroom brawl,in the mode of many previous Wayne westerns,which is well-staged with some amusing slapstick-style antics.This is the film's highlight,and the sub-plot about a hit-man(Daniel Pilon)also has some well-staged action.Another negative against the film is credibility;Wayne is obviously too old for the part,and is further hampered by an even more obvious hairpiece,but if you can remove this problem from your mind,the Duke is still just about acceptable as the action lead.
BRANNIGAN is a decent latter-day vehicle for John Wayne,though it is with relief that this film was not his last;THE SHOOTIST was a far more apposite,dignified,thoughtful and distinguished swan song to one of the most celebrated careers in movie history.
RATING:6 out of 10.
Director Douglas Hickox even manages to fit in a barroom brawl,in the mode of many previous Wayne westerns,which is well-staged with some amusing slapstick-style antics.This is the film's highlight,and the sub-plot about a hit-man(Daniel Pilon)also has some well-staged action.Another negative against the film is credibility;Wayne is obviously too old for the part,and is further hampered by an even more obvious hairpiece,but if you can remove this problem from your mind,the Duke is still just about acceptable as the action lead.
BRANNIGAN is a decent latter-day vehicle for John Wayne,though it is with relief that this film was not his last;THE SHOOTIST was a far more apposite,dignified,thoughtful and distinguished swan song to one of the most celebrated careers in movie history.
RATING:6 out of 10.