McQ

Lieutenant Lon McQ is blindsided when a close friend is killed, and what looks like a routine homicide quickly spirals into a hunt for corruption inside the city’s police force. As McQ digs, he discovers that the murder is tied to a wider network of criminal influence tied to seized drugs. He confronts stubborn colleagues, hostile press, and a system that seems poised to protect itself at any cost. The case carries personal risk and moral weight, pushing him to balance duty with loyalty while staying one step ahead of those who will stop at nothing to bury the truth. The investigation takes him through smoky bars and neon streets where every lead carries danger. The city itself feels like a character, its shadows echoing and complicating every lead.

Directed by John Sturges and based on a story by Lawrence Roman, McQ released in 1974 with John Wayne heading the cast. The film blends brisk action with noir mood as a seasoned detective confronts a web of criminality inside his own ranks.

Critics praised the film for its lean pacing and harder edge than typical Wayne outings, with a focus on corruption, loyalty, and the price of pursuing truth in an atmosphere of mistrust. The story treats authority with skepticism while underscoring a personal code of justice.

Though not a blockbuster, the movie sits with 1970s police procedurals that mirror growing public unease with institutions. Wayne's authoritative, no nonsense presence anchors the film, and its gritty mood makes McQ a notable example of the era's crime cinema, even if it stayed below the era's biggest hits.

Awards: It did not receive major award nominations, and did not win any widely recognized honors. The film's strength lies in its crisp storytelling and John Wayne's commanding presence, which fans of 1970s crime cinema often cite as its lasting appeal.