Writing

Gian Paolo Callegari

Born November 24, 1909 · Rome, Italy

Died September 5, 1982 · aged 72

Gian Paolo Callegari was an Italian screenwriter, journalist, and film director. He began his career as a journalist and novelist before transitioning to screenwriting and directing. Callegari directed films such as The Knight of the Black Sword (1956) and The Black Duke (1963). His work often focused on historical and adventure themes, contributing to the Italian genre cinema of the mid-20th cent…

Known For

The 300 SpartansThe 300 Spartans · 1962
The 300 Spartans
6.51962
MovieAdventureHistory
The 300 Spartans is an account of the 480 B.C. Battle of Thermopylae, in which the Greek Spartan King Leonidis, played by Richard Egan, led a remarkably small number of Greek Sparta to victory over an invading Persian army led by evil King Xerxes that was thought to number over 25,000. This spectacular conflict gave the Grecians enough time to organize a force to ultimately repel the Persians, and thus change the course of Western civilization.
VirilityVirility · 1974
Virility
4.91974
MovieComedyRomance
A Sicilian (Turi Ferro) feels his masculinity threatened when his son returns with an androgynous girlfriend whom everyone else assumes to be male.
Minotaur, the Wild Beast of CreteMinotaur, the Wild Beast of Crete · 1960
Minotaur, the Wild Beast of Crete
5.41960
MovieFantasy
King Minos sacrifices the 'required' virgins to the Minotaur. As his wife lies dying, she confesses that her daughter has a twin she has secreted to avoid giving one of the girls to the Minotaur. The daughter raised by Minos tries to have her twin killed, but failing in her first attempt, continues to try to have her given to the Minotaur. Theseus, the Greek hero, tries to prevent it.
StromboliStromboli · 1950
Stromboli
7.11950
MovieDrama
After the end of WWII, a young Lithuanian woman and a young Italian man from Stromboli impulsively marry, but married life on the island is more demanding than she can accept.
It Was Good to Love YouIt Was Good to Love You · 1968
It Was Good to Love You
7.01968
MovieRomanceDrama
Andrea, a young man from the provinces, leaves his home, his friends and his girlfriend to go to the city in search of new intellectual satisfactions that he believes he can no longer find in his small world. The young idealist meets Eleonora, a beautiful woman romantically linked to Luca, a rich and unscrupulous businessman, and becomes his lover. In order to live forever next to Andrea, Eleonora does not hesitate to abandon Luca and the luxurious life that he allowed her. The death of Eleonora in a car accident, however, abruptly cuts off Andrea's dreams of happiness, who returns to his provincial town, where he finds his fiancée waiting for him and comforting him.
Mystery of the Black JungleMystery of the Black Jungle · 1954
Mystery of the Black Jungle
5.01954
MovieMysteryAction
A group of religious fanatics in India, the Tughs, prey upon Europeans and natives alike, capturing and offering them up in sacrifice to their frightful goddess, Kali. The Governor of the Province sends Tremal Naik, a famous Indian hunter,on an expedition to end the savagery.
Accadde di notteAccadde di notte · 1956
Accadde di notte
1956
MovieComedy
Hot Nights of the DecameronHot Nights of the Decameron · 1972
Hot Nights of the Decameron
4.11972
MovieComedy
Italian nunsploitation movie from 1972

Filmography

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The 300 SpartansThe 300 Spartans · 1962
The 300 Spartans
6.51962
MovieAdventureHistory
The 300 Spartans is an account of the 480 B.C. Battle of Thermopylae, in which the Greek Spartan King Leonidis, played by Richard Egan, led a remarkably small number of Greek Sparta to victory over an invading Persian army led by evil King Xerxes that was thought to number over 25,000. This spectacular conflict gave the Grecians enough time to organize a force to ultimately repel the Persians, and thus change the course of Western civilization.
VirilityVirility · 1974
Virility
4.91974
MovieComedyRomance
A Sicilian (Turi Ferro) feels his masculinity threatened when his son returns with an androgynous girlfriend whom everyone else assumes to be male.
Minotaur, the Wild Beast of CreteMinotaur, the Wild Beast of Crete · 1960
Minotaur, the Wild Beast of Crete
5.41960
MovieFantasy
King Minos sacrifices the 'required' virgins to the Minotaur. As his wife lies dying, she confesses that her daughter has a twin she has secreted to avoid giving one of the girls to the Minotaur. The daughter raised by Minos tries to have her twin killed, but failing in her first attempt, continues to try to have her given to the Minotaur. Theseus, the Greek hero, tries to prevent it.
StromboliStromboli · 1950
Stromboli
7.11950
MovieDrama
After the end of WWII, a young Lithuanian woman and a young Italian man from Stromboli impulsively marry, but married life on the island is more demanding than she can accept.
It Was Good to Love YouIt Was Good to Love You · 1968
It Was Good to Love You
7.01968
MovieRomanceDrama
Andrea, a young man from the provinces, leaves his home, his friends and his girlfriend to go to the city in search of new intellectual satisfactions that he believes he can no longer find in his small world. The young idealist meets Eleonora, a beautiful woman romantically linked to Luca, a rich and unscrupulous businessman, and becomes his lover. In order to live forever next to Andrea, Eleonora does not hesitate to abandon Luca and the luxurious life that he allowed her. The death of Eleonora in a car accident, however, abruptly cuts off Andrea's dreams of happiness, who returns to his provincial town, where he finds his fiancée waiting for him and comforting him.
Mystery of the Black JungleMystery of the Black Jungle · 1954
Mystery of the Black Jungle
5.01954
MovieMysteryAction
A group of religious fanatics in India, the Tughs, prey upon Europeans and natives alike, capturing and offering them up in sacrifice to their frightful goddess, Kali. The Governor of the Province sends Tremal Naik, a famous Indian hunter,on an expedition to end the savagery.
Accadde di notteAccadde di notte · 1956
Accadde di notte
1956
MovieComedy
Hot Nights of the DecameronHot Nights of the Decameron · 1972
Hot Nights of the Decameron
4.11972
MovieComedy
Italian nunsploitation movie from 1972
Dagli Appennini alle AndeDagli Appennini alle Ande · 1943
Dagli Appennini alle Ande
8.01943
MovieAdventureDrama
Password: Kill Agent GordonPassword: Kill Agent Gordon · 1966
Password: Kill Agent Gordon
3.61966
MovieAdventureAction
A tough CIA agent is called in to put a stop to a shipment of weapons to the Viet Cong from an arms smuggling ring in this intercontinental spy thriller.
Pontius PilatePontius Pilate · 1962
Pontius Pilate
6.81962
MovieDramaHistory
The events that culminated with the Passion of Christ seen from the perspective of Pontius Pilate, the Procurator of Judea who unwillingly condemned Christ to death. Based on the biblical Gospel of John.
Macario Against ZagomarMacario Against Zagomar · 1944
Macario Against Zagomar
7.01944
MovieComedy
In Paris, the dreaded Zagomar kidnapped the daughter of a scientist to force him to deliver his latest discovery: a machine that "blocks" over time. Macario, the assistant teacher, decides to confront this elusive bandit that lurks in the bowels of the city.
Vivere a sbafoVivere a sbafo · 1950
Vivere a sbafo
7.01950
MovieComedy
Italian comedy starring Peppino De Filippo, Mischa Auer, Dolores Palumbo and Virginia Belmont. Rosa Auricchio (Dolores Palumbo) and her daughter (Virginia Belmont) inherit a large fortune which they use to purchase a luxury hotel, then learning the hotel has never been successful. They meet a knight (Mischa Auer) who specializes in relaunching businesses. He fills the hotel with fake guests in order to attract real ones, and hires a broke baron (Peppino De Filippo) to relaunch the hotel.
Messalina Against the Son of HerculesMessalina Against the Son of Hercules · 1964
Messalina Against the Son of Hercules
6.21964
MovieDramaAdventure
While fighting in Britain, Roman forces commanded by Caligula capture the noble warrior, Glaucus. Seeing in him gladiator material, Caligula takes Glaucus back to Rome along with other hostages including Glaucus's girlfriend, Ena. A man seeking to restore the Roman Republic then assassinates Caligula after which Claudius is proclaimed emperor. Messalina -- Claudius's beautiful but evil wife -- then maneuvers to replace Claudius with her lover, Silio. She forces Glaucus to help her in this quest by threatening to harm the enslaved Ena. Written by dinky-4 of Minneapolis
Gladiator of RomeGladiator of Rome · 1962
Gladiator of Rome
5.71962
MovieAdventureHistory
A warrior protecting a slave girl, who is really a princess, winds up as a gladiator in the Roman arenas.
Agent Sigma 3 - Mission GoldwaltherAgent Sigma 3 - Mission Goldwalther · 1967
Agent Sigma 3 - Mission Goldwalther
5.51967
MovieAdventureAction
An electronic ray that can counter any aerial attacks has just been invented by Professor Goodwin, but before he can put in good hands, he is kidnapped by a criminal organization, that starts an international bid for him and his invention among the rogue countries of the world. The CIA sends Agent Sigma 3 to find the Professor before the transaction takes place. His mission takes him from Rome to Tangiers, and to Barcelona.
The Warrior and the Slave GirlThe Warrior and the Slave Girl · 1958
The Warrior and the Slave Girl
6.71958
MovieHistoryAdventure
Marcus Numidius, a Roman tribune sent to Armenia to put down a gladiators' revolt, captures the rebels' popular leader, Aselepius. Princess Amira, with ambitions of being Queen and jealous of Asclepius' popularity, plans his death in the arena by substituting a lion for his human opponent
The Avenger of VeniceThe Avenger of Venice · 1964
The Avenger of Venice
6.31964
MovieAdventure
Rolando, who was close to marrying the daughter of the Doge, is condemned after a highly unfair judicial process and locked up in Venice. Digging a tunnel with the aid of his cellmate, Rolando succeeds to escape.
The House of the Lost DollsThe House of the Lost Dolls · 1974
The House of the Lost Dolls
3.21974
MovieThriller
A luxurious house stands in a deserted region, contrasting with its surroundings. It is a house of prostitution and its inmates are brought there against their will. One of them, Yvette, is helped to escape by Mr Gaston, a regular customer and she tells the story of her ordeal to the police.
The Fighting MenThe Fighting Men · 1950
The Fighting Men
6.51950
MovieDrama
Saverio Luparello is the manager of Sicilian baron Occipinti's estate. The cunning greedy man intentionally lets the land turn into a wasteland, hoping that his employer, discouraged by its low returns, will sell his earth to him for next to nothing. His plans are thwarted by a share cropper, Diego Costa, who farms his lot zealously and to good results.
Hero of BabylonHero of Babylon · 1963
Hero of Babylon
5.31963
MovieAdventureAction
The rightful heir to the throne of Babylon leads a slave revolt against an evil ruler.
Revolt of the PraetoriansRevolt of the Praetorians · 1964
Revolt of the Praetorians
6.41964
MovieDramaHistory
Rome chafes under the rule of the Emperor Domitian and his Egyptian mistress, Artamne. A mysterious champion arises to fight against the Emperor -- a masked man known as the Red Wolf. In fact, the Red Wolf is Valerius Rufus, one of the Emperor's trusted centurions who's aided by none other than the Emperor's court jester, the diminutive Elpidion. Rebels in league with Valerius kidnap Artamne, planning to exchange her for two of their imprisoned colleagues, but Artamne escapes and soon both Valerius, (now exposed as the Red Wolf), and his fiancee, Lucilla, are sentenced to be immersed in a cauldron of molten lead. Valerius's friends, however, rise up to rescue him and to liberate Rome.
Samson Against the SheikSamson Against the Sheik · 1962
Samson Against the Sheik
7.01962
MovieAdventure
In the late 1500s, forces of the Duke of Malaga topple the Sacred Obelisk in the North African city of Melida before they're defeated by the local Sheik. The Shiek's men then sail to Spain and kidnap the Duke's daughter, Isabella.
Last MeetingLast Meeting · 1951
Last Meeting
6.91951
MovieDramaRomance
The wife of a mechanic and tester of Alfa Romeo cars becomes the lover of a pilot. The two decide to flee together in Argentina.
Canne al VentoCanne al Vento · 1958
Canne al Vento
1958
SeriesFamilyDrama
In the Land of Don QuixoteIn the Land of Don Quixote · 1964
In the Land of Don Quixote
5.21964
SeriesDocumentary
Filmed during Orson Welles’s travels through Spain while preparing his unfinished Don Quixote project, this nine-part travelogue documents the country’s landscapes, cities, and cultural traditions—from Andalusia to Pamplona—through an intimate, observational lens. Shot as a series of personal, narration-free travel films, the material was later broadcast by Italian television (RAI) with added voiceover, making the series both a poetic portrait of Spain and a rare glimpse into Welles’s working life, family, and creative process.