
China 9, Liberty 37 1978
"The deadliest crossroad."
Directed by Monte Hellman, *China 9, Liberty 37* (1978) is a gritty Western that pits a condemned gunslinger against an unwavering miner in a high-stakes battle of wills.
Director: Monte Hellman
Cast









Frequently Asked Questions
What is China 9, Liberty 37 (1978) about?
This 1978 Western follows a condemned gunslinger given a chance at life if he murders a stubborn miner whose land blocks a railroad's expansion. The film becomes a tense cat-and-mouse game, blurring the lines between justice and survival in a lawless frontier.
Who directed China 9, Liberty 37?
Monte Hellman directed this atmospheric Western, known for his work in cult classics and collaborations with Jack Nicholson.
Who stars in China 9, Liberty 37?
The film stars Fabio Testi, Warren Oates, Jenny Agutter, Sam Peckinpah, and Isabel Mestres in key roles.
Is China 9, Liberty 37 (1978) worth watching?
As an unrated gem from Monte Hellman, this Western delivers a slow-burn narrative with strong performances and a unique twist on the genre. Fans of thought-provoking, character-driven stories will appreciate its depth and tension.
How long is China 9, Liberty 37?
The runtime for *China 9, Liberty 37* is 105 minutes.
🎥 Trailer
About China 9, Liberty 37 (1978) — A gritty Western about greed, survival, and the cost of progress
Directed by Monte Hellman, *China 9, Liberty 37* (1978) is a gritty Western that pits a condemned gunslinger against an unwavering miner in a high-stakes battle of wills. The film unfolds in a sun-baked frontier where progress clashes with stubborn independence, as railroad expansion threatens to erase the last pockets of resistance. With a tense, atmospheric score and standout performances from Warren Oates and Jenny Agutter, this movie explores themes of fate, survival, and the cost of compromise in a rapidly changing world.
Clayton Drumm, a ruthless outlaw facing execution, is offered a reprieve if he eliminates Matthew, a miner whose land holds the key to the railroad's expansion. As Drumm tracks his target through a landscape of dust and desperation, the story evolves into a moral reckoning where loyalty, greed, and redemption collide.