Movies - China 9, Liberty 37

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	Movies - China 9, Liberty 37

China 9, Liberty 37 (Italian title: Amore, piombo e furore) is a 1978 western film directed by Monte Hellman, starring Warren Oates, Jenny Agutter, and Fabio Testi. The film was a Spanish-Italian co-production and was shot in Spain by cinematographer Giuseppe Rotunno. It had a very sparse theatrical release in the United States, and did not play in some cities until as late as 1984.

Plot

Gunslinger Clayton Drumm (Testi) is about to be hanged when he is given a chance to live if he will agree to murder Matthew (Oates), a miner who has steadfastly refused to sell his land to the railroad company. Matthew’s refusal is a major obstacle to the railroad’s plans for expansion.

Although he naturally accepts the assignment, Clayton has become weary of killing and wants to try to build a new life for himself. The would-be killer and his potential victim meet and quickly become close friends. Matthew is married to the beautiful Catherine (Agutter), who greatly complicates matters by promptly falling in love with Clayton. Clayton, despite his growing loyalty to Matthew, gives in to lust and sleeps with his new friend’s wife. When Matthew discovers his wife’s infidelity, he becomes infuriated and beats her. She leaves him and runs off with Clayton. The enraged Matthew asks his mentally unstable brothers to help him track down his wife and lover.

Meanwhile, the railroad hasn’t failed to notice that Clayton has not lived up to his part of the bargain. Consequently, they’ve changed their plans and now want everybody who gets in their way dead, including Clayton.

Trivia

The title refers to a signpost seen in the film with an arrow leading to "China 9" and another in the opposite direction to "Liberty 37".

The film was the last western from both director Hellman (who had previously directed cult westerns The Shooting
and Ride in the Whirlwind
) and actor Oates, who had performed in numerous westerns throughout his career.

Sam Peckinpah has a small cameo in the film as a writer.

Assistant Director Tony Brandt is reportedly credited as co-director on some European prints.

[ Visit the complete Wikipedia entry for China 9, Liberty 37 ]

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