Spaghetti Western Directors, Screenwriters, Cinematographers

Spaghetti Western Director ~ Henry Gruel

Henry Gruel was a French producer, director, writer, cinematographer, film editor and composer and sound effects specialist. He was born in Mâcon, Saône-et-Loire, France on February 5, 1923.

Gruel was director of such films as “Mayola” in 1959, of “La Ballade des Dalton” in 1978, and the sound arranger of “The King and the Bird”. He won the Grand Prize at the Tours International Short Film Days in 1957 for “The Mona Lisa: Story of an Obsession” (commentary by Boris Vian) and two years later won the international critics' prize at the same festival.

In 1974, René Goscinny appointed Henri Gruel and Pierre Watrin directors of animation at Studios Idéfix.

Henry died in Figanières, Var, France on November 23, 2007 at the age of 84.

Henry Gruel co-directed one animated Euro-western, “Lucky Luke la ballade des Dalton” (Lucky Luke: The Ballad of the Daltons) with Pierre Watrin, René Goscinny and Morris in 1976.

GRUEL, Henri [2/5/1923, Mâcon, Saône-et-Loire, France – 11/23/2007, Figanières, Var, France] – producer, director, writer, cinematographer, composer, film editor.

Lucky Luke: The Ballad of the Daltons – 1976 (co)

Spaghetti Western Screenwriter ~ Abronio Corti

Abronio Cesare Corti is/was an Italian writer. He was credited under several aliases such as Anthony Blond, Antonio Blond and Tony Corty. He appeared in and was a screenwriter on 1973’s “Three Supermen of the West” where he was credited as Anthony Blond as screenwriter and an uncredited part as an actor. His largest role was as Bobo in 1968’s “Find a Place to Die” starring Jeffrey Hunter and Pascale Petit.

Corti appeared on screen as Bobo in 1968’s “Joe! Cercati un posto per morire” (Find a Place to Die) where he’s credited as Anthony Blond.

Antonio Corti co-wrote the screenplay for two Spaghetti westerns: “… e cosi divennero i 3 supermen del West” (3 Supermen of the West) with Italo Martinenghi and George Martin, “Noi non siamo angeli” (We are No Angels) with Gianfranco Parolini in 1975.

CORTI, Abronio (aka Anthony Blod, Antonio Blond, Tony Blond, Anthony Blood, Antoni C. Corti, Tony Corty) (Antonio Caesar Corti)) [Italian] – writer, film actor.

3 Supermen of the West 0 1973 (co) [as Anthony Blond]

We are No Angels – 1975 (co)

Spaghetti Western Cinematographer ~ Claus Loof

Claus Loof was a Danish cinematographer and director known for his extensive contributions to Danish cinema and television from the 1960s through the 1990s. Born on August 19, 1939, in Copenhagen, Denmark, he built a prolific career as a director of photography on numerous feature films and series, while also directing several short documentaries early in his career.

Loof began in the camera and electrical department, working as an assistant camera and camera operator on various projects before advancing to cinematographer. His notable credits include cinematography on films such as “Memories of a Marriage” (1989), “Katinka” (1988), “The Girl in a Swing” (1988), “Murder in the Dark” (1986), and his final film “Carl, My Childhood Symphony” (1994), as well as work on television series like ‘Landsbyen and Station 13’. In the early 1960s, he directed segments of the documentary series ‘Lewis Mumford on the City’. Loof was married to actress Sisse Reingaard and remained active in the industry until his death on April 20, 1994 in Denmark, at age 54.

Claus Loof was a cinematographer on two Euro-westerns: “Præriens skrappe drenge” (Tough Guys of the Prairie) in 1970 and “Guld til praeriens skrappe drenge” (Gold for the Tough Guys of the Prairie) in 1971

LOOF, Claus [8/19/1939, Copenhagen Denmark – 4/20/1994, Denmark] – cinematographer, cameraman, married to actress Sisse Reingaard (Anne-Marie Reingaard) [1946-2024] (19??-1994).

Tough Guys of the Prairie - 1970

Gold for the Tough Guys of the Prairie – 1971