by Linda Kay

Also Known As: Therefore It Is; They Called Him Amen

Cat Out of the Bag Alert! This review contains some spoilers for this film!

Synopsis: This comedic spaghetti western focuses on a group of thieves, most notably Cosi Sia (Luc Merenda) (or Amen or Horatio, depending on which translation you happen to watch) and a shady Reverend (Alfio Caltabiano) who steals in part to help fund a church. The pair recruit a group of crooks to help rob a bank, but the job turns out not to be as cut and dry as they were led to believe.

Cat Burglar (Scene Stealer): While in jail, Cosi Sia hears about the bank job from a fellow prisoner called The Professor (Dante Maggio) who has the well-furnished cell next door. The Professor enjoys books and the company of his brown tabby cat he calls Socrates.

The Professor tells Cosi Sia about a large amount of money being held in a bank vault, setting off the plans for robbing the bank. The man then goes to place his cat in a small wooden cage hanging from the ceiling, something which the cat protests against quite clearly, swiping at his owner.

Late in the movie when the gang realizes the money they stole is counterfeit, the Preacher visits the cell of the Professor to find the man dying. On his death bed, the Professor admits that he actually had a deal with two other men to switch the real money with fake, prompt a robbery and cash in on the insurance. He says he does this to make sure he has the means to assure Socrates will be looked after when he’s gone. The poor cat remains in his cage throughout this scene.

Final Mewsings: Socrates was probably looking forward to finding freedom once the Professor died.

Many thanks to Nick Wale for letting us know about the cat in this film.

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