Monte Hellman (1929–2021)

"Amore, Piombo e Furore" is an interesting late-era Spaghetti Western directed in a hybrid Italian /American style by Monte Hellman. The story sees Warren Oates as retired gunfighter, Sebanek who along with his wife Catherine (Jenny Agutter) has set up home on a small parcel of land. Unfortunately the railroad want his land and hire gunfighter Clayton Drumm (Fabio Testi) to kill the stubborn Sebanek. Things become complicated, however, when Drumm falls for the beautiful Catherine. Hellman's directorial approach is very interesting: he plays its slow and arty with atmosphere and lyricism taking precedence over action. The action when it arrives, however, is well staged and authentic with the final showdown being particularly well done, with a credible and realistic feel. Hellman also works hard on the love affair between Drumm and Catherine and lingers sensuously on two extended romantic love-making sequences between the pair. Agutter and Testi look fabulous together, but you have to work hard to decipher Testi's almost unintelligible English dialogue through his thick Italian accent. Warren Oates is grizzled, seventies, macho perfection, Sam Peckinpah appears in a reasonably sized speaking part and Euro cult favourite Helga Liné pops up in a small supporting role. Pino Donaggio delivers an appealing score that is part classic Spaghetti tropes and part discordant muzak. Perhaps the best element within the film is the superb, heart-breaking "China 9 Love Ballad" beautifully sung by the great Ronee Blakeley over Donaggio's lovely strings. Overall "Amore, Piombo e Furore" is an interesting post-western full of arty atmosphere and a strange sparse feel that is all undercut by an odd interjected and alienated romance.… (more)