Spaghetti Western Directors, Screenwriters, Cinematographers

Spaghetti Western Director ~ George Erschbamer

George Erschbamer is a Canadian film director, producer, and writer known for his work in the horror and action genres, particularly through low-budget and direct-to-video films in the 1990s and 2000s. He is best recognized for directing the supernatural horror sequels ''Prom Night III: The Last Kiss'' (1990) and ''Prom Night IV: Deliver Us from Evil'' (1991), which extended the ''Prom Night'' franchise with elements of dark humor and gore.

His filmography includes other genre entries such as the women-in-prison sequel ''Chained Heat II'' (1993), the action thriller ''Crackerjack'' (1994), and the bounty hunter action film ''Bounty Hunters'' (1996). Erschbamer often served in multiple roles on his projects, including producing and writing, and his work primarily targeted home video markets during a period when direct-to-video horror and action films thrived. He remains associated with Canadian independent cinema, though detailed personal biographical information is limited in public sources.

George Erschbamer directed on Euro-western, “Aliens in the Wild Wild West” in 1999 and a co-director on the Euro-western TV series “Bordertown” in 1989.

ERSCHBAMER, George (George Peter Erschbamer) [1954, U.S.A. -     ] – director, assistant director, writer, cameraman, SFX.

Bordertown (TV) – 1989 (co)

Aliens in the Wild Wild West – 1999

Spaghetti Western Screenwriter ~ Giuliano Carnimeo

Giuliano Carnimeo was an Italian film director and screenwriter known for his extensive work in Italian genre cinema, particularly spaghetti Westerns, sex comedies, gialli, and exploitation films from the late 1960s through the 1980s. Born on July 4, 1932 in Bari, Puglia, Italy, Carnimeo began his career in the early 1960s as an assistant director on various peplum, comedy, and adventure productions before transitioning to directing. He made his directorial debut co-directing with the spaghetti Western “The Two Sons of Ringo” and subsequently helmed over thirty low-budget features, frequently under pseudonyms such as Anthony Ascott, Arthur Pitt, and Jules Harrison. His notable films include “Sartana's Here... Trade Your Pistol for a Coffin” (aka Have a Nice Funeral My Friend) (1970), “The Case of the Bloody Iris” (1972), “Convoy Buddies” (1975), “The Exterminators of the Year 3000” (1983), and “Rat Man” (1988), reflecting his versatility across Westerns, horror, science fiction, and erotic comedies typical of the Italian B-movie industry during that era.

Giuliano Carnimeo died on September 10, 2016 in Rome, Lazio, Italy, at the age of 84.

 “Joe! Cercati un posto per morire” (Find a Place to Die) with Ralph Grave (Leonardo Benvenuti), Hugo Fregonese in 1968, “Uomo avvisato mezzo ammazzato…parola di Spirito Santo” (Blazing Guns) with Tito Carpi, Federico De Urrutia in 1971 and “Testa t’ammazzo, croce... sei morto... Mi chimavano Alleluja” (Guns for Dollars) with Tito Carpi in 1971,

CARNIMEO, Giuliano (aka A. Ascot, Anthony Ascot, Anthony Ascott, Jules Harrison, Arthur Pitt) [7/4/1932, Bari, Puglia, Italy - 9/10/2016, Rome, Lazio, Italy] – producer, director, assistant director, writer, actor, married to ? father of Lorenzo Carnimeo.

Find a Place to Die – 1968 (co) [as A. Ascot]

Blazing Guns – 1971 (co)

Guns for Dollars – 1971 (co) [as Anthony Ascott]

Spaghetti Western Cinematographer ~ David Gurfinkel

David Gurfinkel is an Israeli cinematographer known for his prolific and influential career in Israeli cinema, where he has shaped the visual language of numerous landmark films over more than five decades. Born in Tel Aviv on December 12, 1938, he is widely regarded as one of Israel's most important cinematographers, celebrated for capturing the essence of life in Israel and creating some of the rarest and most magical cinematic moments in the nation's film history.

After serving in the IDF Spokesperson Unit’s film division during his military service, Gurfinkel began his professional career as a newsreel director of photography with Geva Films. His feature film debut came in 1965 with Uri Zohar’s “Hole in the Moon”, marking the start of a significant collaboration that helped establish the "New Sensibility" in Israeli arthouse cinema, combining European stylistic influences with Israel’s distinctive natural light.  He went on to serve as cinematographer on many acclaimed Israeli films, including “Three Days and a Child” (1967), “The Policeman” (1971), “Kazablan” (1973), “Aviya’s Summer” (1988), “Under the Domim Tree” (1994), and “Nina’s Tragedies” (2003), earning four Ophir Awards for Best Cinematography. In 2015, he received the Israel Prize for his contributions to cinema

Gurfinkel has also worked on international productions such as “Enter the Ninja” (1981) and has screenwriting credits on select projects. He is the father of film directors Yoav Gurfinkel and Jonathan Gurfinkel. His body of work continues to be honored for its role in facilitating Israel’s golden age of cinema and leaving a lasting impact on the country’s cinematic landscape

David Garfunkel was the cinematographer on on Spaghetti western, “L’uomo di Santa Cruz” (Kid Vengeance) in 1976.

GURFINKEL, David [12/12/1938, Tel Aviv, Israel -     ] – cinematographer, married to ? father of director, cinematographer Yoav Gurfinkel [1968-    ], director, actor Johnathan Gurfinkel [1976-    ], one other son.

Kid Vengeance – 1976