Review of 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.