Brannigan is a 1975 film set in London starring John Wayne and Richard Attenborough, directed by Douglas Hickox. It tells the story of a Chicago detective sent to England to organise the extradition of an American mobster (John Vernon).
After turning down the role of Dirty Harry and seeing the subsequent success of the film John Wayne made two gritty police thrillers in quick succession. After McQ he ventured over the Atlantic to make a “cop out of water” film in the same vein as Clint Eastwood's Coogan's Bluff.
Tough Chicago cop Jim Brannigan is sent to London to extradite notorious American gangster, Ben Larkin, but before he can collect him, Larkin is kidnapped and Brannigan spends the rest of the film running around London in search of his quarry. Whilst struggling to adapt to the British way of life and the restrained style of policing, he employs techniques not usually seen outside Chicago (or other large U.S. cities). In the meantime, a contract has been put out on Brannigan's life by Larkin to prevent him from being extradited to the U.S.
Richard Attenborough gives support as the stuffy, upper-class Metropolitan Police Commander who's not afraid to get his hands dirty. There is continual conflict on screen about Brannigan's retention and use of his handgun. Other roles are taken by Judy Geeson, Mel Ferrer, James Booth, Anthony Booth, Brian Glover, Don Henderson and Tony Robinson (from Blackadder).
The film is notable for its well-executed action sequences, including a spectacular car chase featuring Brannigan jumping a yellow Ford Capri coupe across the half raised Tower Bridge. One sequence features shots of the interior and exterior of London's famous Royal Automobile Club, which has changed little since the shooting of the film.
Jim Brannigan is sent to London to bring back an American mobster who is being held for extradition but when he arrives he has been kidnapped which was set up by his lawyer. Brannigan in his American Irish way brings American law to the people of Scotland Yard in order to recapture this mobster with both A price tag on his head and a stuffy old London cop to contend with. Written by Christopher D. Ryan
