Spaghetti Western Directors, Screenwriters, Cinematographers

Spaghetti Western Director – Rafael Baledon

Mexican producer, director, writer, actor Rafael Baledón Cardenas was born in Campeche, Mexico on November 25, 1919. He was active during the Golden Age of Mexican cinema. Rafael worked in both film and television.

He originally wanted to be a doctor, but he couldn't take the professional exam due to financial reasons. So, he chose acting. He made his debut as an actor in cinema in the late 1930s, working as an extra. It wasn't until 1942 that he had his first leading role, in the movie “María Eugenia”. The following year, he married actress Lilia Michel (Lilia Larios Fernández) [1926–2011] and had five children: Rafael, Leonor, Ana Laura, Lourdes and Lilia.

On May 6, 1994, he died of a heart attack in Mexico City. He was 74..

Baledon directed one Euro-western: “El caballo blanco” (The White Horse) in 1961.

BALEDON, Rafael (aka Rafael Baledón, Rafael Baledón Cárdenas, Rafael Baledón padre) (Rafael Baledón Cardenas) [11/25/1919, Campeche, Campeche, Mexico – 5/6/1994, Mexico City, Federal District, Mexico (heart attack)] – producer, director, writer, actor, married to Lilia Michel (Lilia Larios Fernández) [1926–2011] (1946-1994) father of Leonarda Baledón [1955-1955, producer, production manager, assistant director, director, writer, film editor, actor Rafael Baledón Jr. [1965-    ],  singer Lourdes Baledón [1966-    ], actress Ana Laura Baledón, Leonor Baledón, Lilia Baledón.

The White Horse – 1961

Spaghetti Western Screenwriter -Amerigo Anton

Camillo Tanio Boccia was born in Potenza, Basilicata, Italy on June 15, 1911. He started as a dancer and choreographer in Rome in the 1930s, later moving on to act in regional, dialectal stage plays. He had a small role in “Variety Lights” (1951) by Alberto Lattuada and Federico Fellini, his first and sole performance as a film actor. Boccia directed 20 low-budget films in his career. He is best known for his work in the adventure film genre, particularly peplum, in the early 1960s with films such as “Caesar the Conqueror” (1962), “Samson Against the Pirates” (1963) and “Hercules of the Desert” (1964). In 1965 he directed the spy adventure “Agente X 1-7 operación Océano”.

His films, generally rated as B or Z movies, always meeting negative reception and Boccia was often mocked in the Cinecittà environment, earning the nickname of the "Italian Ed Wood" after his death. However, he has been re-evaluated in recent years, since his works, albeit rather poor, are considered "not at all the kind of cinematic disasters", and appreciated for his creativity in order to solve complicated situations, due to the low budget he had to work with. He was also labeled as the "Italian Roger Corman" for his ability to make a movie in a short time with low financial resources.

Camillo Boccia died in Rome on August 1, 1982, at the age of 71.

Boccia was regularly credited as Amerigo Anton and wrote two Spaghetti western screenplays using that alias: “Sapevano solo uccidere” (Saguaro) in 1968 with Mario Moroni and “La lunga cavalcata della vendetta” (The Long Ride of Revenge) in 1970.

ANTON, Amerigo (aka Amerifo Anton, Amerigo Antón) (Camillo Tanio Boccia) 6/15/1911, Potenza, Basilicata, Italy – 8/1/1982, Rome, Lazio, Italy] – director, writer, film editor, dancer, theater, film actor.

Saguaro – 1968 (co)

The Long Ride of Revenge – 1970

Spaghetti Western Cinematographer – Armando Barberi

Armando Barberi is an accomplished Italian cinematographer and key figure in the camera and electrical departments of major Italian film and television productions. He was born in Rome on May 23, 1969, and studied there at Studied at Economia e Commercio “La Sapienza”. His career spans several decades, marked by collaborations across a variety of genres, from large-scale international action films like "Cutthroat Island" to intimate Italian dramas and television series. Barberi's versatility and technical expertise have established him as a valuable asset behind the camera, contributing to both mainstream cinema and more niche projects within the Italian film industry.

Barberi’s filmography is distinguished by both his technical roles and his creative influence as director of photography. Notable early credits include his work in the camera and electrical department on the action-adventure film "Cutthroat Island," produced in 1995. Barberi has lent his craft to a range of films and television series. He served as cinematographer for the TV series "Distretto di polizia" (2007–2012). He has also contributed to feature films such as "Dagli Occhi dell'Amore" (2019) and short films like "Black Town" (2022), the latter of which was presented at the Rome Independent Film Festival, highlighting his presence in Italy’s independent film scene. He is credited as cinematographer on "W Muozzart!" (2025), "Coccinelle sul soffitto" (2024), and "Il racconto di Ester" (2024), among others. His recent work includes cinematography for "Il silenzio prima del giorno" (2023), which has garnered critical praise for its visual storytelling. Barberi’s portfolio is not limited to feature-length projects. He has been instrumental in crafting the visual identity of a number of short films and television movies, such as "Din Don – Un paese in due" (2022), which further demonstrates his versatility and commitment to the craft of cinematography.

Armando was the cinematographer on four recent Euro-westerns: “Oro e Piombo” (The Dutchman) in 2017, “Black Town” in 2022, “Oltre il confine” in 2024 and “Tex McKenzie” in 2025.

BARBERI, Armando [5/23/1969, Rome, Lazio, Italy -     ] – cinematographer, cameraman.

The Dutchman – 2017 (co)

Black Town – 2022

Oltre il confine – 2024

Tex McKenzie - 2025