Kill and Pray

Though it contains plenty of violent scenes, 1967’s Requiescant stands out in the oft-grim spaghetti-Western genre because of its odd, Yojimbo-style sense of humor. Director Carlo Lizzani casts fellow Italian Pier Paolo Pasolini (who later created the definitive shock film, Salo) as an eccentric sadist and gives Mark Damon free rein to play the demonic aristocrat Ferguson as a whimsical fop. The titular character, orphaned when Ferguson orders a massacre of his village, moves into a devout household. When the same goons abduct his adoptive family’s daughter, Requiescant (Lou Castel) becomes a gunslinger. He recites scripture after slaying enemies, a practice cited in the movie’s alternate title, Kill and Pray. When he reaches the high-level baddies, Requiescant engages in a series of prop-intensive shootouts. Requiescant screens at 6 p.m. at the Kansas City, Kansas, Public Library (625 Minnesota, 913-551-3280).

Tue., June 17, 6 p.m., 2008