Clint Eastwood’s impact on Dirty Harry and Brannigan is undeniable, shaping the trajectory of action cinema from the early 1970s onward. When John Wayne declined the lead role in Dirty Harry, a ripple effect began that influenced casting decisions, inspired imitations, and led to surprising crossovers between the two iconic films.
From Rejection to Rivalry: The Role Clint Eastwood Made Famous
In the early 1970s, the film industry witnessed a pivotal decision when John Wayne, alongside Paul Newman and George C. Scott, turned down the role of Inspector Harry Callahan in what would become Dirty Harry. The role ultimately catapulted Clint Eastwood to new heights, launching him as Hollywood’s next major star. Eastwood’s portrayal of the blunt and uncompromising San Francisco detective resonated deeply, ensuring the movie’s status as a box office sensation and kicking off a franchise that saw four sequels over 17 years.
Wayne reportedly grew to regret passing on Dirty Harry, as the momentum behind Eastwood’s performance and the new era of grittier, morally ambiguous police dramas became clear. Attempting to reclaim his stake in the genre, Wayne starred in his own police thrillers: McQ and Brannigan. These films, particularly Brannigan, sought to capture the excitement of the Eastwood hit, but ultimately highlighted the differences between the two leading men and their cinematic styles.
Setting Brannigan Apart: John Wayne’s Take on the Rogue Cop Formula
Although McQ and Brannigan entertained audiences, critics and fans alike noticed that both movies played as less intense echoes of Eastwood’s Dirty Harry. Wayne’s approach was affected by age and a desire to avoid material that pushed boundaries with violence or profanity. Out of the two, Brannigan stood out for its international setting and its “fish out of water” narrative: Wayne’s no-nonsense Chicago cop, Lieutenant Jim Brannigan, travels to London on a mission to bring notorious gangster Larkin back to face American justice.
The film thrived on the contrast between Brannigan’s direct and sometimes brash approach and the more measured style of British law enforcement. While the humor and action sequences made Brannigan engaging, there was a consensus that, despite Wayne’s star power, the movie struggled to achieve the hard-edged authenticity of Dirty Harry.
Memorable Casting Choices: John Vernon’s Double Turn
One of the most intriguing links between Dirty Harry and Brannigan lies in the casting of John Vernon. In Dirty Harry, Vernon played the Mayor of San Francisco—a character whose bureaucratic posturing frequently clashed with Eastwood’s unorthodox methods. Nearly four years later, Brannigan cast Vernon as Larkin, the slippery Chicago gangster at the heart of the plot, marking a notable shift from his previous role as an authority figure.
Vernon was a widely respected character actor whose prolific career included appearances in influential films and television series like Point Blank and The Outlaw Josey Wales (another project with Eastwood), as well as Ironside. He often embodied figures of power or villainy, which made him an ideal choice for varied roles across different genres. This particular crossover not only added a layer of self-reference for attentive viewers but also underscored how Eastwood’s rise in Dirty Harry influenced casting and storytelling strategies in subsequent cop dramas.
Contrasting Characters: Vernon’s Transformation Across Films
The two roles Vernon played—San Francisco’s mayor in Dirty Harry and Larkin in Brannigan—are sharply distinct, reflecting the different requirements and tones of each film. Vernon’s mayor is unnamed and represents the systemic authority counterbalancing Callahan’s rogue instincts. Calm under pressure, but sometimes oblivious to the urgency felt by his police force, he is often at odds with Eastwood’s relentless pursuit of justice. This dynamic leads directly to the film’s climax, where Eastwood’s detective, frustrated by bureaucracy, takes matters into his own hands.
In stark contrast, Larkin in Brannigan is depicted as an unscrupulous career criminal. As the nemesis of Wayne’s Jim Brannigan, he embodies the Chicago underworld, becoming the centerpiece of a cross-Atlantic chase. Vernon’s transition from authoritative, put-upon politician to flamboyant villain spotlights his range and the filmmakers’ intent to evoke—and playfully subvert—the audience’s familiarity with his face from Dirty Harry.
Interestingly, Brannigan’s plot takes a twist, setting up Larkin as the central adversary only to have him kidnapped partway through the story by rival gangsters. This narrative detour removes Vernon’s character from the main action for a significant portion, a creative choice that distinguishes the film from more straightforward good-versus-evil narratives prevalent in action thrillers of the time.
A Look at the Dirty Harry Franchise: Enduring Influence and Financial Success
Dirty Harry was not just a one-off success; it inaugurated a franchise that spanned nearly two decades:
- Dirty Harry (1971), directed by Don Siegel, earned a remarkable $36 million at the box office.
- Magnum Force (1973), directed by Ted Post, followed with $44.6 million.
- The Enforcer (1976), directed by James Fargo, grossed $46.2 million.
- Sudden Impact (1983), with Clint Eastwood directing, brought in $67.6 million.
- The Dead Pool (1988), directed by Buddy Van Horn, closed the series with $37.9 million.
The franchise’s financial performance and cultural resonance cemented Eastwood’s place in film history, setting a high bar for any movie aiming to replicate its success. Subsequent action films, such as Sylvester Stallone’s Cobra, later paid homage by featuring actors from Dirty Harry in supporting roles, demonstrating the series’ lasting appeal and the way its template echoed through Hollywood.
The Entertainment Value and Limitations of Brannigan
Brannigan, directed by Douglas Hickox and featuring a script by Michael Butler, William P. McGivern, William W. Norton, and Christopher Trumbo, occupies an interesting space as both a tribute to and an attempt to diversify the booming rogue cop formula. The movie is remembered for its entertaining set pieces, notably a rowdy brawl in a traditional British pub and scenes capturing the vibrant character of 1970s London. Well-known actors such as Richard Attenborough portrayed key roles alongside Wayne and Vernon, lending additional prestige to the ensemble.
Despite its strengths, Brannigan drew criticism for being overly long, lacking the narrative intensity, and suffering from a lighter tone that kept it from reaching the darker, grittier qualities fans expected after Dirty Harry’s success. Wayne’s age and his conceivably mismatched fit as a modern lawman—given his preferences for less graphic material—added to the perception that Brannigan, though spirited, could not quite measure up to its predecessor. Even John Vernon’s portrayal was noted for embracing a broader, less subtle style than his work in Dirty Harry, suggesting that Brannigan was less about realism or deep moral dilemmas, and more about delivering popcorn entertainment.
Brannigan and Dirty Harry: Legacies and Lasting Connections
Brannigan (1975) tells the story of John Wayne’s Jim Brannigan, a bold Chicago detective tasked with extraditing infamous gangster Larkin (John Vernon) from London. Combining action with comedic elements, the film explores the cultural gap between American and British policing styles, offering viewers a lively depiction of cross-Atlantic law enforcement.
In Dirty Harry, Clint Eastwood’s portrayal of a relentless San Francisco cop on the trail of the killer Scorpio established a new benchmark for action heroes. Helmed by Don Siegel, with a score by Lalo Schifrin, the movie became famous for its sharp dialogue and dynamic pacing, leaving a deep mark on future generations of filmmakers, actors, and audiences alike.
Ultimately, the relationship between Clint Eastwood’s impact on Dirty Harry and Brannigan demonstrates how casting choices, star power, and genre-defining performances can create ripples across the film industry. The roles played by actors like John Wayne and John Vernon in these productions showcase how interconnected the worlds of classic cinema can become, with each film leaving a legacy that guides and inspires those that follow.
As variations on the rogue-cop story continue to emerge, the enduring influence of Dirty Harry—both as a trendsetter and as a benchmark—remains evident. Brannigan, for all its differences, stands as a testament to the appeal and adaptability of the genre, shaped by the choices and impact of Clint Eastwood’s unforgettable performance.
