Brannigan

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Brannigan

PG,

1975,

1h 51m,

Crime/

Drama/

Action/

Mystery & Thriller

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Watchlist

Watchlist

46%

65 Reviews

Tomatometer

40%

2,500+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

46%

Tomatometer

65 Reviews

40%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

Police Detective Jim Brannigan (John Wayne) is sent from Chicago to London to extradite a wanted American criminal, Ben Larkin (John Vernon). However, Larkin is kidnapped before Brannigan can apprehend him, igniting a manhunt throughout the city. Jennifer (Judy Geeson), a British police officer, is appointed to help Brannigan, who is frequently bewildered by English customs. Brannigan's harsh policing techniques also lead to constant clashes with Cmdr. Swann (Richard Attenborough).

Critics Consensus

Brannigan unsuccessfully attempts to blend John Wayne's roughhouse American persona with British crime caper flair, offering stale action and touristy London backdrops that leave it feeling more flat than fun.

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Lawrence O'Toole

Globe and Mail

Oct 8, 2025

Brannigan is a showcase for Wayne. The only difference between it and an instalment of Mannix is that the movie is longer and shot in widescreen.

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Phil Strassberg

Arizona Republic

Apr 24, 2025

The John Wayne charisma and mystique somehow manage -- as always -- to make the escapism ride acceptable.

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Dilys Powell

The Times (UK)

Apr 12, 2025

Always a pleasure to see John Wayne, even out of the saddle. Not that Brannigan... gives old reliable much scope... honour if not plausibility, is decently satisfied.

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Chris Segura

Times-Picayune

Mar 30, 2026

It may be unpatriotic to leave a John Wayne movie feeling a bit sorry for one of the bad guys, but in this case it may be justified.

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Charles Brock

Florida Times-Union

Feb 4, 2026

The plot's pretty sluggish overall.

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Lou Cedrone

Baltimore Sun

Oct 7, 2025

Though it does not bore, "Brannigan" is simple-minded fare for low comedy effect.

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Abraham P

Oct 22, 2018

i thought this movie was perfectly acceptable, but hardly as good as dirty harry

Draco R

Jan 6, 2018

John Wayne...great as usual.

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Douglas Hickox

Director

John Wayne

Lt. Brannigan

Richard Attenborough

Cmdr. Swann

Judy Geeson

Jennifer

Mel Ferrer

Fields

Del Henney

Drexel

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Synopsis

Police Detective Jim Brannigan (John Wayne) is sent from Chicago to London to extradite a wanted American criminal, Ben Larkin (John Vernon). However, Larkin is kidnapped before Brannigan can apprehend him, igniting a manhunt throughout the city. Jennifer (Judy Geeson), a British police officer, is appointed to help Brannigan, who is frequently bewildered by English customs. Brannigan's harsh policing techniques also lead to constant clashes with Cmdr. Swann (Richard Attenborough).

Director: Douglas Hickox
Producer: Jules Levy, Arthur Gardner
Screenwriter: Christopher Trumbo, Michael Butler, William P. McGivern, William W. Norton
Production Co: Wellborn Limited
Rating: PG
Genre: Crime, Drama, Action, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 21, 1975, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 16, 2008
Runtime: 1h 51m

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