Watch Caliber 9

Caliber 9 is a classic Italian crime thriller from 1972, directed by Fernando di Leo and starring Gastone Moschin, Barbara Bouchet, and Mario Adorf. Set in the gritty underworld of Milan, the film tells the story of ex-con Ugo Piazza (Moschin), who finds himself caught up in a complex web of deceit and violence when he is released from prison and attempts to start a new life.

At the beginning of the film, Ugo is picked up from prison by his old friend and enforcer Rocco (Adorf). Rocco introduces Ugo to the shadowy figure known only as 'the Americano', who tasks Ugo with retrieving a large sum of money he stole before being arrested. The catch is that Ugo claims to have lost the money, and is now being hunted by both the Americano's men and the police. As Ugo tries to track down the missing cash, he becomes embroiled in a deadly power struggle between rival gangs, with the beautiful and cunning Nelly (Bouchet) pulling the strings behind the scenes.

What follows is a tense and bloody game of cat and mouse, as Ugo races against time to clear his name and avoid being killed by either the gangsters or the law. Along the way, he must rely on his wits and street smarts to survive in a dangerous world where betrayal is the norm and violence is always just around the corner.

One of the most striking aspects of Caliber 9 is its depiction of Milan as a gritty, decaying metropolis on the brink of collapse. The film's opening shot shows a polluted river choked with garbage, and the streets are filled with homeless beggars and crumbling buildings. There is a sense of despair and hopelessness that permeates every scene, as if the city itself is corrupting and devouring its inhabitants.

The characters in Caliber 9 are equally bleak and morally ambiguous. Ugo is a sympathetic protagonist, but he is also a hardened criminal with a violent past. Rocco is a loyal friend and confidant, but he is also a ruthless killer with a hair-trigger temper. Nelly is an alluring femme fatale, but she is also a cold-blooded manipulator who will do whatever it takes to get what she wants.

Despite their flaws, however, the characters in Caliber 9 are all compelling and well-drawn, thanks in large part to the strong performances of the cast. Moschin brings a steely intensity to Ugo, while Adorf imbues Rocco with a brooding menace. Bouchet is a standout as Nelly, exuding a sultry allure and a steely determination that makes her one of the film's most interesting characters.

Of course, no discussion of Caliber 9 would be complete without mentioning the film's stylish visuals and gripping action sequences. The film is shot in a stark, almost documentary-like style, with gritty, hand-held camerawork that lends the film a sense of immediacy and realism. The action scenes are well-choreographed and intense, with plenty of shootouts, car chases, and fistfights to keep viewers on the edge of their seats.

All in all, Caliber 9 is a classic crime thriller that deserves to be better known outside of Italy. With its strong performances, gritty visuals, and gripping storyline, the film is a masterclass in suspenseful filmmaking, and a must-see for fans of the genre.

Caliber 9 is a 1972 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 40 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.4.