Stelvio Massi


Stelvio Massi, sometimes credited "Max Steel", was an Italian director, screenwriter, and cinematographer, best known for his "poliziotteschi" films.

Career

Born in Civitanova Marche, the son of a tobacconist and a housewife, Massi studied at the Macerata Art Institute, and later at the Accademia di Belle Arti di Roma. He entered the cinema industry in 1952 as assistant camera operator, and in 1954, he became a cameraman. Ten years later, he began to work as cinematographer, and in 1973, he debuted as film director with Macrò. He obtained a great commercial success with the Mark il poliziotto film series, then with a series of poliziotteschi starred by Maurizio Merli.
Massi also worked on television, directing the 1987 TV series Due assi per un turbo. His son Danilo is also a film director.