Year of the Gun is a political thriller directed by John Frankenheimer and based on a novel by Michael Mewshaw. The movie is set in the late 1970s in Italy, a period of political violence and uncertainty known as the "Years of Lead".
David Raybourne is a young American writer who arrives in Rome to conduct research for his novel about terrorism. He meets Lia Spinelli, a beautiful and enigmatic photojournalist, and they begin an intense romantic relationship. However, Lia is actually a member of the Red Brigades, a leftist guerilla group that is planning to kidnap Aldo Moro, the leader of the Christian Democratic Party and former Prime Minister of Italy.
When Lia's Red Brigade comrades discover that David has unwittingly stumbled upon their plans, they decide to silence him. David becomes a target, and he and Lia must run for their lives through the streets of Rome as they are pursued by the terrorists and the police. Along the way, they encounter a variety of characters, including a disillusioned ex-Red Brigades member (Valeria Golino) and a corrupt American embassy official (John Pankow).
As the date of the planned kidnapping draws near, tensions rise and alliances shift. David and Lia are forced to confront their own moral dilemmas and ultimately make a choice between loyalty, love, and survival. The film builds to a gripping climax that combines suspense, action, and a stark depiction of the brutality of political violence.