Paolo Moffa Movies
- 1968
Paolo Moffa directed this gritty spaghetti western under the name "John Byrd," and if the sets look familiar, they were previously seen in Sergio Leone's classic Per Qualche Dollaro in Piu. Craig Hill stars as Clive Norton, a bounty-hunter hired to track down the outlaw Johnny Gunn (Giovanni Cianfriglia, best known as "Ken Wood"), who has looted an army payroll. Norton saves Gunn's brother (Ettore Manni) from execution in exchange for his help, and later enlists a Mexican bandit (Francesco Santoveti) who double-crosses them and joins Gunn. The inevitable shootout follows, with predictable results. The film's most memorable performance comes from Cianfraglia, a former stunt double for Steve Reeves who later gained a cult following as star of the Super Argo series. ~ Robert Firsching, All Movie Guide
- 1967
During WWII, the army chooses five of its most courageous and coldhearted soldiers to infiltrate German lines for a suicide mission to secure enemy plans. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1963
Set during the time of the brilliant Queen Elizabeth I of England, this adventure tale is loosely based on the exploits of Sir Francis Drake (Rod Taylor). He was one of the Queen's leading commanders in the battles with Spain over the gold of the New World. Drake is shown wearing several hats, so to speak. He is a pirate who has no problems about raiding Spanish gold arsenals. He is a military commander who plans and executes naval battles with the Spanish armada -- and wins. He is a diplomat who knows how to maneuver in courtly circles -- but that does not stop him from trashing a Spanish-backed plan to assassinate the Queen. Although this costume drama by Rudolph Maté is not without a few minor flaws, Drake's adventures should entertain most audiences, especially the younger set. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rod Taylor, Keith Michell, (more)
- 1961
Former big-screen Tarzan Gordon Scott appears in one of many sword-and-sandal epics featuring muscle-bound, mini-skirted hero Maciste (aka Goliath, cinematic kin to Steve Reeves's Hercules), sworn to protect the helpless with his strength and swordsmanship. In this horror-tinged outing, the mythical hunk comes to the rescue when an immortal, shape-shifting vampire turns an entire island village into legions of shuffling zombie slaves. Our none-too-bright hero discovers nearly too late that the undead foe has taken on his appearance, which understandably complicates matters. Also known as Goliath and the Island of the Vampires, or simply The Vampires, in its U.S. release. ~ Cavett Binion, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gordon Scott, Gianna Maria Canale, (more)
- 1961
In this biblical drama, set during the waning years of the Roman Empire, the trouble begins as the Christians continue to be persecuted. The daughter of a wealthy patrician whips the stuffing out of a newly purchased Christian slave who stubbornly refuses to wrestle in the ring. Later the girl and the slave fall in love, and she comes to understand their plight. She then learns that some of her closest friends and relatives are closet Christians. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1960
This was ironically the last film made by director Mario Bonnard, and it follows the pattern of the classic Italian costume dramas about macho or mythic heroes, in this case, a certain Glaucus (Steve Reeves, the glorious Greco-Roman past could not occur without him). Taking the cue from its larger-than-life hero, the story, set in 79 A.D., bounds from one spectacle to another without undue concern for nuanced dialogue or subtleties of character. Glaucus has to single-handedly tackle the brutal thugs that are taking over Pompeii and is forced to fight off a lion and a crocodile -- though not all at the same time. He overcomes wounds and enemies in preparation for his toughest fight, that of rescue and survival when Mt. Vesuvius blows its top, the biggest and final spectacle in a series of battleground fireworks. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Steve Reeves, Christine Kaufmann, (more)
- 1955
A Canary Islands' princess is the love interest of a 16th century Spanish sea captain who runs into island uprisings. ~ All Movie Guide
