Philip French, film critic of the Observer, introduces two films from cult American director Monte Hellman.

China 9, Liberty 37
Starring Warren Oates, Fabio Testi, Jenny Agutter
The dusty town of China, Texas in the 1880s. Clayton Drum, a mysterious gunfighter waiting to be hanged, is offered a reprieve if he disposes of Matthew Sebanek, whose farmhouse stands in the way of a projected railroad. Clayton accepts the mission, but finds himself admiring the older man, while being passionately attracted to his beautiful young wife. This lyrical and unusual
'spaghetti' Western features an international cast, including the late Sam Peckinpah, director of The Wild Bunch.
Screenplay by GERALD F. HARVEY and DOUGLAS A. VENTURELLI
Produced by GIANNI BOZZACCHI
VALERIO DE PAOLIS, MONTE HELLMAN Directed by MONTE HELLMAN
(First showing on British television)

and at 11.40
Two-Lane Blacktop
Starring Warren Oates, James Taylor
Four nameless people - the Driver, GTO, the Girl and the Mechanic in a race against time and each other. The ultimate bet is made - a cross-country duel from the far west to Washington DC. The prize, the loser's treasured car. Hellman's original road movie springs from the world of easy riders where racers travel the paved roads of the American countryside between midnight and dawn - with love and death as their companions.
Screenplay by RUDOLPH WURLITZER and WILL CORRY from a story by WILL CORRY
Produced by MICHAEL s . LAUGHLIN Directed by MONTE HELLMAN Television presentation by JUDY ALPE, GILLIAN GEERING NICK JONES. DAVID THOMPSON 0 FILMS: page 26