Spaghetti Western Directors, Screenwriters, Cinematographers

Spaghetti Western Director ~ Michael “Bully” Herbig

Michael "Bully" Herbig was born April 29, 1968, in Munich, West Germany. He is a prominent German comedian, actor, director, producer, writer, and voice actor, best known by his childhood nickname "Bully". He rose to fame as the creator, writer, director, and star of the influential late-night sketch comedy television series ‘Bullyparade’ (1997–2002) on ProSieben, where he frequently collaborated with actors Christian Tramitz and Rick Kavanian to parody films, television, and pop culture in over-the-top style.

‘Bullyparade’ spawned highly successful feature film adaptations, most notably the Western parody “Der Schuh des Manitu” (2001), which attracted 11,721,183 admissions in Germany and became one of the country's highest-grossing films ever, followed by the science fiction spoof “(T)Raumschiff Surprise – Periode 1” (2004) with over 9 million viewers. These works cemented Herbig's reputation for blockbuster parody cinema in the German-speaking world.

Herbig began his career in Munich's radio scene, including morning shows, before transitioning to television and film; he also studied photography and is recognized for his multifaceted contributions to German entertainment, including voice acting in animated films and later projects such as the 2025 sequel “Das Kanu des Manitu” and the BAMBI jury's honorary award for his body of work.

Michael “Bully” Herbig directed three Euro-westerns, “Der Schuh des Manitu” (The Shoe of Manitu) in 2000, “Bullyparade der film” in 2017 and “Das Kanu des Manitu” (Manitou's Canoe) in 2024.

HERBIG, Michael ‘Bully’ (aka 'Bully' Herbig, Bully Herbig, Michael 'Bully' Herbig) [4/29/1968, Munich, Bavaria, Germany -     ]- producer, director, writer, songwriter, actor, married to Daniela Herbig (2003-    ) father of Ben Herbig [2012].

The Shoe of Manitu – 2000

Bullyparade der film – 2017

Das Kanu des Manitu – 2024

Spaghetti Western Screenwriter ~ Damiano Damiani

Damiano Damiani was born in Pasiano, Pordenone, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Udine, Italy on July 23, 1922. He 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. 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.

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

Damiano Damiani wrote the screenplays for two Spaghetti westerns: “Quién sabe?” (A Bullet for the General) with Salvatore Laurani and Franco Solinas and “Un genio, due compari, un pollo” (The Genius) with Fulvio Morsella and Ernesto Gastaldi 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-    ].

A Bullet for the General – 1966 (co)

The Genius – 1975 (co)

Spaghetti Western Cinematographer ~ Marcello Masciocchi

Marcello Masciocchi was an Italian cinematographer and cameraman. He worked as a cameraman on fifteen films between 1951 and 1992 and a cinematographer on sixty-one films between 1960 and 1991. He often was credited using such aliases as Marc Lane, Mark March, Mark Marsch, Marcel Mascot. He also worked sporadically as an assistant cameraman, and a production manager.

He’s best known for his work on “Treasure of the Four Crowns” (1982), “Ultimo mondo cannibal” and “La polizia è sconfitta” both in 1977.

Marcello Masciocchi was a cinematographer on nine Spaghetti westerns: “30 Winchester per El Diablo” (Gold Train), “Uccidete Johnny Ringo” (Kill Johnny Ringo) both in 1965, “Un dollaro tra i denti” (A Stranger in Town) in 1966, “I quattro dell’Ave Maria” (Ace High), “Un uomo, un cavallo, una pistola” (The Stranger Returns) both in 1967, “La collina degli stivali” (Boot Hill) and “El Zorro justiciero” (Zorro the Lawman) both in 1969, “W Django!” (A Man Called Django), “Una Colt in mano del diavolo” (When the Devil Grips a Colt) with Alvaro Lanzo in 1972

MASCIOCCHI, Marcello (aka Marc Lane, Mark March, Mark Marsch, Marcel Mascot) [Italian] – cinematographer, cameraman.

Gold Train – 1965 [as Marcel Mascot]

Kill Johnny Ringo – 1965 [as Marc Lane]

A Stranger in Town – 1966

Ace High - 1967

The Stranger Returns - 1967

Boot Hill – 1969

Zorro the Lawman – 1969

A Man Called Django! – 1971

When the Devil Grips a Colt – 1972 (co) [as Marcel Mascot]