Spaghetti Western Directors, Screenwriters, Cinematographers

Spaghetti Western Director ~ Damiano Damiani

Damiano Damiani was an Italian screenwriter, film director, actor, and writer whose career spanned over five decades, focusing on socially conscious narratives often centered on organized crime and institutional corruption. Born in Pasiano di Pordenone, Friuli-Venezia Giulia on July 23, 1922, he began with short films in the late 1940s before directing features like “Arturo's Island” (1962), which earned the Golden Shell at the San Sebastián International Film Festival. Damiani gained prominence for mafia-themed works, including “Confessions of a Police Captain” (1971) and the long-running television series ‘La Piovra (The Octopus’, 1984–2001), which depicted systemic mafia influence in Italian society and became a cultural phenomenon for its unflinching portrayal of real-world criminal networks. His films received international recognition, such as a Silver Bear Honorable Mention at the 1985 Berlin International Film Festival for “The Sicilian Connection”, and multiple David di Donatello Awards in Italy. Damiani's oeuvre emphasized moral ambiguity and critique of power, influencing Italian genre cinema while avoiding sensationalism in favor of structural analysis of societal decay.

Damiano Damiani died in Rome on March 7, 2013, at the age of 90.

Damiano directed two Spaghetti westerns: “Quién sabe?” (A Bullet for the General) in 1966 and along with Sergio Leone “Un genio, due compari, un pollo” (The Genius) in 1975

DAMIANI, Damiano [7/23/1922, Pasiano, Pordenone, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Udine, Italy - 3/7/2013, Rome, Lazio, Italy (respiratory failure)] director, screenwriter, actor, married to Rosa Zetti [19??-2008] (1945–2008) father of Cristina Damiani [1951-    ], Sibilla Damiani [1955-    ], Francesco Damiani [1959-    ].

Arizona Kid - 1949 [film was never released] 

A Bullet for the General – 1966

The Genius - 1975 (co)

Denn sie kennen kein Erbarmen - Der Italowestern (TV) - 2005 [himself]

Spaghetti Western Screenwriter ~ Franco Bucceri

Gianfranco ‘Franco’ Bucceri was an Italian producer, writer and actor. He appeared as an actor in twenty-seven films and television series between 1957 and 1969. He was a writer on twenty-four between 1967 and 2005. He was also a dubbing director.

I found a obituary notice for a Gianfranco Ettore Bucceri (author) who died in March but no date in the notice was given.

Franco Bucceri co-wrote screenplays for two Spaghetti westerns: “O tutto o niente” (A Man Called Amen) in 1968 with Renato Izzo and Guido Zurli and for “California” with Mino Roli, Nico Ducci, Roberto Leoni. Franco also wrote the story for “Requiescant” (Kill and Pray) in 1967.

BUCCERI, Franco (Gianfranco Ettore Bucceri) [Italy – 3/29/] – producer, writer, actor, married to Flavia Bucceri father of Agnese Maria Bucceri.

Kill and Pray – 1967 [story]

A Man Called Amen – 1968 (co)

California – 1977 (co)

Spaghetti Western Cinematographer ~ Benito Frattari

Benito Romano Frattari is/was an Italian film producer, cameraman and cinematographer. He was a producer on one film and a cameraman on another. He was a cinematographer on twenty-eight films between 1962 and 1981. He’s probably best remembered as the cinematographer on 1962’s “Mondo Cane” and 1973’s “Commandos” with Lee Van Cleef.

Incredibly there’s no biographical information on line and he’s not even listed in Italian Film: A Who’s Who.

Benito Frattari was the cinematographer on one Spaghetti western “Quanto costa morire” (A Taste of Death) in 1968

FRATTARI, Benito (aka Benito R. Frattari) (Benito Romano Frattari) [Italian] – producer, cinematographer, cameraman,

A Taste of Death - 1968