Alan Steel Movies
Most of the stars of Italy's sword-and-sandal action movies of the 1950s and 1960s were Americans (with the occasional Britisher) imported over to play the muscleman roles. Sergio Ciani was the exception, a native Italian who started out in movies as one of Steve Reeves' doubles in Hercules (1957). By 1960, working under the name Alan Steel, he was starring in his own ancient-world action movie, Giant of Marathon; the following year, he joined American Brad Harris in Samson, portraying Millstone, the rival and soon ally to Harris' Samson. He subsequently got to play Hercules in Hercules Against the Moon Men and Hercules Against Rome (both 1964). After the mid-'60s, with the decline of the sword-and-sandal genre, he began working in other action categories and historical costume movies, including Westerns and one Robin Hood film. He worked into the 1970s. ~ Bruce Eder, All Movie Guide- 1972
Mario Bianchi directed this brutal spaghetti western under the pseudonym "Frank Bronston." William Berger plays a sadistic Confederate officer who bears a grudge against the Union. Taking a Union fort, Berger and his thuggish gang slaughter everyone in sight, torturing Captain Jeff Madison (Sergio Ciani appearing as "Alan Steel") and leaving him for dead. Despite having holes shot through both hands, as well as being tied to a stake, branded, and spat upon, Madison survives thanks to some kindly Indians who help him recuperate. Two years later, Madison seeks his bloody revenge against the gang. Genre veterans Paco Sanz and Fernando Bilbao are on hand, along with Celina Bessy as the obligatory sexy Indian maiden. ~ Robert Firsching, All Movie Guide
- 1970
In this British adventure, two gentlemen are assigned to stop an impending revolt on the treacherous Khyber mountain pass in India. En route they are waylaid by an angry rebel band. The film is also titled Fury of the Khybers. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
In this fantasy, Hercules must fight the dreaded moon men who are sacrificing people in the hopes that their spilled blood will bring back their dead queen. He also battles a terrifying giant with a metal head, and several monsters. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sergio Ciani
- 1964
Despite the title, this is not another Samson movie, in fact, it's a western/adventure, resembling Guy Madison's successful Legasy of Incas. The lost treasure of the title is coveted by several suspicious types, including a man falsely accused of murder. We quickly learn which of the prospectors are heroes and which are yellowbellies when bandits strike. The original Italian title translates to Samson and the Treasure of the Incas. It was released under that title in Europe. Not given much of an American theatrical release, the film briefly went the TV syndication rounds in the early 1980s as The Lost Treasure of the Aztecs. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1964
Alan Steel, Mimmo Palmara, Rosalba Neri may not be the Three Avengers of the title, but they do command top billing. Steel plays the leader of an Arabian Knights-era team of dogooders. Their special target consists of tyrants and desports. The film bogs down during the court intrigue sequences, as the mulitlingual cast members struggle to understand one another. Things pick up tremendously during the action scenes in the desert. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1964
With a forced marriage imminent, the daughter of the late emperor is thankfully saved by Hercules. ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Alan Steel
- 1963
In this sword and sandal film, the courageous Ursus fights to free his people from slavery by taking on the fiercest gladiator in Rome. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1963
In this epic adventure set in the 15th century, King Navarre dies and leaves his two nieces to fight over the throne. Naturally one of the girls is good, and the other evil. The two are at an impasse that can only be broken when one of the women can find the treasure chest containing the king's will which names the heir. The evil girl fears that the good one will win, so she hires a muscleman to find the chest and retrieve it. The good girl follows a poet's advice and contracts a great swordsman to help her. After enduring many ordeals, the black-hearted woman's guard finally finds the chest, but just before he returns it to her, his conscience acts up and he changes his mind. Eventually, he and the swordsman join forces and begin fighting with the evil one's villainous lover who is the leader of the palace guards. Eventually, the pure woman becomes the leader and then is overjoyed to discover that her swordsman is none other than the poet in disguise! Happiness ensues. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Pierre Brice, Moira Orfei, (more)
- 1961
Originally titled La Furia di Ercole, Fury of Hercules stars Brad Harris as the mythical muscleman. Herc's ire is raised when he comes across the oppressed populace of a totalitarian country. The evil ruler seems to lead a charmed life: no one can touch him, but he can wreak plenty of havoc on those under his thumb. Hercules decides to put a stop to this, but it won't be easy: it never is. In some markets, Fury of Hercules was retitled Fury of Samson, necessitating a whole new English-language soundtrack. The film reverted to Fury of Hercules when it was picked up by TV's "Sons of Hercules" syndicated package. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Brad Harris, Serge Gainsbourg, (more)
Samson (Brad Harris), the hero of the ancient Middle East, is taken prisoner along with his two friends near the city of Sulom -- this surprises him because the city was known to be friendly, and the queen, Mila (Irena Prosen), is a personal friend of his. He is more surprised when he learns -- after breaking out of the palace prison -- that Mila is no longer queen, having been replaced by the ambitious Romilda (Mara Berni) and the ruthless mercenary leader Warkala (Serge Gainsbourg). He survives various attempts by Romilda to drug him and sway him romantically, while the lady-in-waiting Jasmine (Brigitte Corey) works to secure Mila's release. But Warkala -- who wants the kingdom's treasure and will stop at nothing to get it -- proves almost too devious and treacherous for any of them, including Romilda. ~ Bruce Eder, All Movie Guide
Hercules and the Masked Rider stars beefcaker Alan Steel. Since the story takes place in 17th century Spain, we suspect that the character's name wasn't "Hercules" when the film was originally released in Italy. No matter: the steely-eyed Steel is most impressive as he tilts with gypsies and evil dons. Just as impressive is the cleavage displayed by the ladies in the cast. Filmed in 1960, Hercules and the Masked Rider came to America in 1963 as part of TV's Son of Hercules package. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1960
Alan Steel is Hercules this time out. Ignoring the fact that he's an ancient Grecian, Herk disguises himself as a Spaniard (could this film have borne a different title originally-with perhaps a hero other than Hercules?) The man of muscle foils a plot to kidnap the governor's daughter. Piero Lulli costars in this odd combination of sword-and-sandal and swashbuckler. Filmed in 1960 (apparently), Hercules and the Black Pirate was released in the US in 1963. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
