Sansone contro il corsaro nero

This happens to be one of my favorite entries in the muscleman genre of films produced in Italy between 1958-1965. This film, along with Piero Pierotti's "Golia e il Cavaliere Mascherato" was one of the takeoffs banking on the success of Umberto Lenzi's "Zorro contro Maciste." This little sub-genre, which grafts the swashbuckling film onto the traditional peplum, had an enormous success, and sparked new life into a dying genre. This film bears all the hallmarks of Fortunato Misiano's productions, and bears the usual style and good story-telling of director Luigi Capuano. Capuano directed the best adventure films, and this one is no exception. It also shows faint signs of the cultural transition then happening between the continents. Nerio Bernardi plays the staunch traditionist, who berates Alan Steel for his humble origins, but later concedes that "nobility is revealed by actions, not by birth." Piero Lulli plays the conniving courtier, who colludes with Andrea Aureli (the Black Pirate) to get Bernardi killed so he can get his hands on the lovely daughter (played by Rosalba Neri). A wonderful film that bears up well after many years, this has its ample scenes of swordplay, suspense, and genuine humor.

Non stop action for the entire length of the movie. Alan Steel had yet to star in the Mega-Blockbuster, HERCULES AGAINST THE MOONMEN which played in theaters for years after the initial run and later on late nite TV. In this movie, Hercules is somehow transported the the 17th. Century and is a soldier in the Spanish navy of the time. I guess "Hercules" means MAN OF GREAT STRENGTH who helps the weak and oppressed...etc. Alan Steel is believable as the main character. When this movie showed in Jamaica, it was re=titled as HERCULES AND THE PIRATE. I guess they didn't want a riot on their hands. Find and watch this gem and you won't be disappointed..

Sergio Ciani in the fight against pirates

At some point, all the themes of antiquity were exhausted, and so film producers like Fortunato Misiano had to start pitting their muscled Peplum heroes against arsonist pirates.

In this film by Luigi Capuano, Sergio Ciani (also known as Alan Steel) plays Samson, who not only has to prevail against the Black Corsair (Andrea Aureli), but also with the dark princely advisor Rodrigo Sanchez (Piero Lulli) for the love of his life Rosita (Rosalba Neri) has to fight. This Rodrigo is so nasty that he even has Rosita's cute little half-sister kidnapped, but the brave muscle man Samson will take care of it...

So nothing new from the sword and sandal film! Rather a weak work from the almost inexhaustible series of the Italian Peplum era!

Fairly original hybrid of the muscleman and pirate genres, although not as much fun as that sounds. Alan Steel does have an impressive physique (he looks like a cross between Patrick Swayze and Popeye), but the action scenes, when they finally do come, are absolutely nothing to write home about. ** out of 4.

When I saw this movie for the first time I was 14. My brother Camille and I both loved it and has long (and funny) discussions about it. I srongly recommend it to anybody (old or young)who is interested in first-class action.