Spaghetti Western Directors, Screenwriters, Cinematographers

 Spaghetti Western Director ~ Tonino Cervi

Antonio "Tonino" Cervi was an Italian film producer, director, and screenwriter whose work significantly influenced post-war Italian cinema, particularly through his support for emerging talents like Bernardo Bertolucci and Michelangelo Antonioni.

Born on 14 June 1929 in Rome, Italy.He was the only child of the acclaimed Italian actor Gino Cervi and actress Nini Gordini in Rome as the son of renowned actor Gino Cervi, he entered the film industry in his early twenties, initially assisting on his father's projects before co-founding a production company in the late 1950s. As a producer, Cervi played a pivotal role in launching Bertolucci's directorial debut with “La Commare Secca” (1962), a screenplay by Pier Paolo Pasolini, and produced Antonioni's landmark first color film ‘Il Deserto Rosso” (1964), which won the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival. He also co-produced the anthology “Boccaccio '70” (1962), featuring segments by Federico Fellini, Vittorio De Sica, Mario Monicelli, and Luchino Visconti, alongside collaborations with directors such as Francesco Rosi and Alberto Lattuada on films like “The Moment of Truth” (1965) and “Mafioso” (1962).

Cervi made his directorial debut with the spaghetti western “Oggi a me... domani a te” (1968), co-written by Dario Argento and starring Bud Spencer in an early role that helped launch the actor's career. His most commercially successful directorial efforts were comedic adaptations of Molière's plays, including “The Imaginary Invalid” (1979) and “The Miser” (1990), both featuring Alberto Sordi and reflecting Cervi's interest in irreverent, character-driven storytelling. After a period of relative inactivity, he returned to directing with “Il quaderno della spesa” (2002), a historical drama completed shortly before his death from a heart attack in Siena on April 1, 2002, at age 72. Survived by four children, including actress Valentina Cervi, and his companion Emanuela Muri, Cervi's legacy endures through his mentorship of Italy's cinematic new wave and his diverse body of work spanning genres from neorealism to comedy.

As mentioned above Cervi’s only Spaghetti western was “Oggi a me… domani a te!” (Today We Kill… Tomorrow We Die!) in 1967

CERVI, Tonino (Antonio Cervi) [6/14/1929, Milan, Lombardy, Italy – 4/1/2002, Siena, Tuscany, Italy (heart attack)] – producer, production manager, director, writer, actor, son of director Gino Cervi (Luigi Cervi) [1901-1974], actress Niní Gordini Cervi [1907-1988], father of actress Valentina Cervi [1974-    ] with producer Marina Gefter [1948-    ], married to actress Susanne Lévesy (197?-    ) producer, production designer, director  Antonio Levesi Cervi

Today We Kill… Tomorrow We Die! 1967

Spaghetti Western Screenwriter ~ José Bolaños

José Antonio Bolaños Prado was born in Mexico City on July 24, 1935. At the age of twelve he participated as an extra in the 1948 Orson Welles film “The Lady from Shanghai” It’s also been said he participated as a double in 1949’s “Puerto javen” starring Cantinflas. He entered the film industry as a co-producer on the film “Locura passional” by Tulio Demicheli in 1955. In 1966 he debuted as a director on “La soldadera” about women who participated in the Mexican Revolution. 

 He was known as something of a playboy but was also a screenwriter and director. He married Italian actress Venetia Vianello, but his biggest claim to fame is his relationship with Marilyn Monroe. He was her escort at the 1962 Golden Globe Awards. A year after her death, Bolaños claimed to fan magazine Motion Picture that the two were going to marry and adopt a child. However, he didn't produce anything to prove such, no one in Monroe's inner circle ever confirmed a romance or engagement, and none of her biographers have ever accepted Bolaños as anything more than an escort.

Bolaños directed six films between 1966 and 1979. He also was a writer on eight films between 1959 and 1989 and produced two films in 1959 and 1979.

José Bolaños died in Mexico City on June 11, 1994, at the age of 58.

José Bolaños co-wrote the screenplay for only one Spaghetti “Arde baby arde” (Lucky Johnny: Born in America) in 1970 with Pedro Miret. Bolaños also directed the film.

BOLANOS, José (José Antonio Bolaños) [7/24/1935, Mexico City, Federal District, Mexico – 6/11/1994, Mexico City, Federal District, Mexico] – producer, director, writer, married to actress Venetia Vianello (19??-19??),

Lucky Johnny: Born in America – 1970 (co)

Spaghetti Western Cinematographer ~ Federico Del Zoppo

Federico Del Zoppo is an Italian cinematographer and camera operator known for his work on a wide range of films spanning arthouse, historical, and genre cinema. Born on August 22, 1940, he has contributed as a camera operator to notable productions including Luchino Visconti's “Ludwig” (1973) and the controversial “Caligula” (1979), as well as serving as director of photography on projects like “Alien 2: On Earth” (1980).

Over a career extending several decades, Del Zoppo has demonstrated versatility through roles that also include director, assistant camera, and additional photography on both Italian and international films, collaborating with directors such as Tinto Brass and Giuseppe Ferrara on works like: The Bankers of God: The Calvi Affair: (2002). His involvement in high-profile and cult productions has established him as a respected figure in technical filmmaking roles.

Federico Del Zoppo was born on August 22, 1940 in Rome, Italy. As an Italian national, he grew up in Italy, though detailed information about his family background, childhood, or early influences remains scarce in public records and industry profiles. No verified accounts exist of specific personal experiences or formative factors that led to his later entry into cinema.

Federico Del Zoppo was a cinematographer on four Spaghetti westerns: “Zanna Bianca nel West” (White Fang and the Kid) in 1977, “Thunder” (Thunder Warrior) with Sergio Salvati in 1983, “Thunder III” (Thunder Warrior III) with Sergio D’Offizi in 1988 and “Arizona violenta” (Arizona Road) in 1990.

Del ZOPPO, Federico (aka Frederick Hail, Federico del Zopo, Federico del Zoppo) [8/22/1940, Rome, Lazio, Italy –     ] – director, cinematographer, cameraman, married to producer, cinematographer, camerawoman Silvia Giulietti 1962-    ] (1996-    ).

White Fang and the Kid – 1977

Thunder Warrior – 1983 (co)

Thunder Warrior III – 1988 (co)

Arizona Road - 1990