Alfio Caltabiano Movies

Two crime families battle for supremacy in 1929 Chicago in this Italian crime spoof. One group, known as the "Sons of Mammasantissima" thereby professes its (ironic) dedication to the Virgin Mother. The other family works undercover from a Salvation Army soup kitchen. Neither family seems capable of accomplishing anything of note until a wily Sicilian arrives on the scene and sorts things out. ~ Clarke Fountain, Rovi

Cult filmmaker Ernst von Theumer co-wrote this enjoyable spaghetti western with its director, Alfio Caltabiano. Caltabiano also stars (under the pseudonym "Al Northon") as the ruthless Mexican bandit El Bedoja, who is being pursued separately by two men for differing reasons. Bounty hunter Blackie (Anthony Ghidra) is chasing the outlaw for the large price on his head, while the vengeful Hud (Angelo Infanti) has been in jail for 15 years since El Bedoja killed his father and framed Hud for the crime. This was the first of five western roles for the dashing Ghidra, and it co-stars Anthony Freeman and Monica Teuber. Guglielmo Mancori provided the impressive cinematography, and composer Marcello Giombini's score is among his best. ~ Robert Firsching, Rovi

In this sword and sandal spectacle, a Roman journeys to Asia to oversee the building of an aqueduct. His main job is to replace the former slavemaster. Unlike him, the new overseer tries a gentler approach with the slaves. When he proves that his methods are more effective, the former supervisor gets angry and decides to get his revenge by inciting a revolt amongst the captives. He almost succeeds in that all the Romans but the new overseer are slaughtered. One slave helps the gentle Roman to hide. Meanwhile the chief rebels are captured and killed. This leads the kindly supervisor to be blamed, so he and his newfound friend steal out of the city and team up with another rebel. They all dress up as masked gladiators and then take on the Romans. Eventually, the three avengers successfully foil the plans of the Roman troublemaker just before he makes an attempt to take over the local government. As a reward for their courage, the slaves are freed, and the reputation of the soft-hearted supervisor remains unblemished. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi