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John Wayne’s Dirty Harry Knockoff: How Clint Eastwood’s Co-Star Played A Very Different Role

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As a movie enthusiast, I’ve always been intrigued by how characters evolve in different films. Unlike his role in the Clint Eastwood classic “Dirty Harry,” John Vernon portrayed a character that was strikingly distinct in the movie “Brannigan.” Interestingly enough, John Wayne, Paul Newman, and George C. Scott all turned down the original “Dirty Harry” part. Eventually, it was Clint Eastwood who took on the role, catapulting him to stardom with this gritty thriller. The film was a significant success, though it sparked much debate, and Clint reprised his role for four more “Dirty Harry” movies. Later on, John Wayne himself expressed regret over turning down that project, eventually venturing into making rogue cop films of his own.

John Wayne’s films McQ and Brannigan offer enjoyable action-packed experiences, but they seem like less impactful versions of Dirty Harry, which was made famous by Clint Eastwood. The reason for this is that Wayne was not the ideal fit for Dirty Harry, primarily because of his age and his reluctance to act in films with excessive violence or profanity. Among these two movies, Brannigan stands out as a more engaging watch. In this film, John Wayne plays a Chicago police officer named Brannigan who finds himself in unfamiliar territory when he’s sent to London to capture a notorious gangster known as Larkin.

John Vernon Appears In Both Dirty Harry & Brannigan

Brannigan obviously wasn’t going to get Clint Eastwood

Approximately 15 years following the release of “Eastwood” in cinemas, Sylvester Stallone would discreetly re-create “Dirty Harry” with “Cobra“. This action-packed tale pitted Stallone’s character, the eponymous cop, against a cult of murderers, and to emphasize the link between the films, Stallone cast Andrew Robinson and Reni Santoni from “Dirty Harry” as his co-stars. The strategy of paying tribute was first attempted with “Brannigan“, featuring John Vernon, who played The Mayor of San Francisco in “Dirty Harry“, portraying Larkin.

Vernon, a seasoned actor, scarcely had a break from the onset of his career in the 1950s until his demise in 2005. Throughout this period, he graced both films and television shows such as “Point Blank”, “The Outlaw Josey Wales” (another production by Clint Eastwood), and “Ironside”. Typically cast as villains or figures of authority, Vernon was an ideal choice for the role of Larkin. Undoubtedly, his on-screen presence evoking memories of Dirty Harry added a desirable element to the movie producers.

John Vernon’s Brannigan Character Is Very Different To Dirty Harry’s Mayor

The Mayor is the angry chief of Dirty Harry

In an intriguing twist, the movie “Dirty Harry” omits naming the Mayor of Vernon, as he symbolically embodies the system. In essence, the Mayor serves as the antagonist in a broader sense, frequently criticizing Harry for his unorthodox methods and rule-breaking behavior. However, compared to the typical angry police chief, the Mayor is more composed, trusting Harry’s abilities, particularly in handling the “dirty” cases. He is quite distinct from Larkin, Brannigan’s detestable, immoral Chicago gangster, who stands as a nemesis to Wayne’s character.

Every Dirty Harry Movie Release Year Director Box Office
Dirty Harry 1971 Don Siegel $36 million
Magnum Force 1973 Ted Post $44.6 million
The Enforcer 1976 James Fargo $46.2 million
Sudden Impact 1983 Clint Eastwood $67.6 million
The Dead Pool 1988 Buddy Van Horn $37.9 million

In the movie, the Mayor often seems stressed, yet he maintains an air of command and seldom loses his cool. As depicted in Dirty Harry, the main problem with the character lies in his reluctance to heed Harry’s advice, which eventually leads to a critical turning point where Clint Eastwood’s detective takes decisive action – that is, brandishing his powerful .44 Magnum. Unlike Larkin, who embodies a typical gangster antagonist, Vernon adds a unique touch to the role.

In a unique turn of events, Brannigan‘s character is initially portrayed as the main antagonist. However, unexpectedly, he gets kidnapped and held captive by other criminal groups. The movie concludes with an intriguing twist, but it results in diminishing the screen time for the experienced actor, Vernon, for a significant part of the film’s duration.

Why Brannigan Doesn’t Come Close To Dirty Harry

John Wayne’s final cop movie doesn’t quite work

There are many enjoyable aspects of the film “Brannigan“. It provides a nostalgic glimpse into 1975 London, boasts an impressive cast including Vernon, Richard Attenborough (known for his role in “Jurassic Park“), and Mel Ferrer, and features some well-executed setpieces, such as an intricate brawl in a British pub. However, it’s challenging not to compare it to “Dirty Harry” and find it lacking, especially since the film seems to be inviting such comparisons. Unfortunately, the movie is somewhat lengthy, the plot isn’t particularly gripping, and John Wayne appears to be too old for the leading role.

In essence, Wayne’s character is a significant element that contributes to the success of the movie “Brannigan”. However, unlike “Dirty Harry”, which showcases Dirty Harry’s dark and rugged persona, “Brannigan” seems to fall short. It appears less intense and more tame compared to the Eastwood film, sometimes veering towards a overly-dramatic or cartoonish tone, as seen in Vernon’s performance. In “Dirty Harry”, Vernon delivers a convincing portrayal of a hardened police inspector, but in “Brannigan”, his acting is more exaggerated. The movie seems to shy away from presenting a serious or dark theme, which leaves it lacking the necessary impact when trying to emulate its predecessor.

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2025-06-03 16:22

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