Spaghetti Western Directors, Screenwriters, Cinematographers

Spaghetti Western Director ~ Mario Maffei

Mario Maffei was an Italian assistant director and occasional film director known for his remarkably long career in Italian cinema and television, primarily serving as an assistant director on numerous productions from the late 1930s to the early 1990s.

Born in Viareggio on April 7, 1918, he began his film career in the late 1930s and worked steadily across decades, contributing to a wide variety of genres including neorealist dramas, action films, and television series. He was particularly recognized for his behind-the-scenes reliability, assisting on acclaimed and popular titles such as “Il camorrista” (1986), “The Inglorious Bastards” (1978), and various TV miniseries and episodes. In addition to his primary role, he directed a handful of feature films in the 1960s, including the literary adaptation “I promessi sposi” (1964), the spaghetti western “La grande notte di Ringo” (1966), and “Da Berlino l'apocalisse” (1967), and he also wrote screenplays for some of these projects. Maffei occasionally appeared as an actor in supporting roles and served as executive producer on “Mondo cane 2” (1963).

His multifaceted involvement in the Italian film industry, marked by longevity and versatility, established him as a respected figure in the supporting ranks of cinema professionals.

Maffei died in Rome on March 10, 2001, a month shy of turning 83.

Mario Maffei directed one Spaghetti western, “La note del desperado” (Ringo’s Big Night) in 1965.

MAFFEI, Mario (aka Silver Ben, Mario Mattei) [4/7/1918, Rome, Lazio, Italy – 3/10/2001, Rome, Lazio, Italy] – producer, director, assistant director, writer, actor.

Ringo’s Big Night – 1965

Spaghetti Western Screenwriter ~ Monica Felt

Monica Felt was an alias for Italian producer, assistant director and writer Monica Venturini. She produced seven films between 1976 and 2001, an assistant director on nine films between 1966 and 1976 and wrote screenplays for six films between 1964 and 1980. I can find no biographical information on her.

Monica Venturini as Monica Felt co-wrote one Spaghetti western, “La vendetta e un piatto che si serve freddo” (Vengeance Trail) with Pasquale Squititieri.

FELT, Monica (aka Mónica Felt) (Monica Venturini) [Italian] – producer, assistant director, writer,

Vengeance Trail – 1971 (co)

 

Spaghetti Western Cinematographer ~ Sergio Rubini

Italian cameraman and cinematographer Sergio Rubini is not to be confused with the more well-known director, writer and actor of the same name. Our man was a cameraman on thirty-three frilms between 1964 and 2001 and a cinematographer on thirty-eight between 1973 and 2014. He was sometimes credited as Sergei Rubini.

Despite his long career he is basically ignored and I can find no biographical information on him.

Sergio Rubini was a cinematographer on two Spaghetti westerns: “Il sogno di Zorro” (The Grandson of Zorro) in 1975 and Una donna chiamata Apache” (Apache Woman) in 1976.

RUBINI, Sergio (aka S. Rubini) (Sergie Rubin) [Italian] – cinematographer, cameraman.

The Grandson of Zorro - 1975

Apache Woman – 1976 (as Sergei Rubin)