Year of the Gun

In 1978 Italy, anarchy is in the air as the Red Brigades keep the country in a state of terror. Reporter David (Andrew McCarthy) moves blithely among the mayhem; after all, he's an American citizen and untouchable, right? When the manuscript for his political novel, patterned after the Brigades, falls into the wrong hands, it draws the unwelcome attentions of the Brigades, the police, and aggressive American photojournalist Allison (Sharon Stone) and lands David in hot water. Director John Frankenheimer took an overworked plot and made the best of it, though McCarthy is a bit puny as David. As would be expected in a Frankenheimer effort, though, the action segments shine with lithe editing and Frankenheimer's instincts for composition and camera work. The riots and chase segments make use of Rome's cityscape, calling to mind Euro-thrillers of the period. Stone is compelling as the foolhardy photographer, with some torrid sex scenes with McCarthy. Though not on a par with The Manchurian Candidate or Seven Days in May, Year of the Gun is a decent action film that goes a long way toward capturing the political and social chaos that was '70s Italy. --Jerry Renshaw

Movie Details

Cast: Andrew McCarthy, Sharon Stone, Valeria Golino, John Pankow, George Murcell, Mattia Sbragia, Roberto Posse, Thomas Elliot, Carla Cassola, Darren Modder, Carol Schneider, Ron Williams, Antonio Degli Schiavi, Aldo Mengolini, Francesca Prandi, Maurizio Fardo, Pietro Bontempo, Luigi Amodeo, Luigi Di Fiore, Lou Castel, Salvatore Billa
MPAA Rating: R
Running time: 111 mins
DVD Aspect Ratios: 1.85:1

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DVD Features:

Theatrical Trailers

Previews

Scene Selection

Behind the Scenes - Production Notes

International rating:

Europe: 15
Australia: M

DVD International release dates:
North America: Dec 2, 03

VHS International release dates:
North America: Sep 17, 96