Sergio Martino (born 19 July 1938) is an Italian film and television director, screenwriter, and producer. He is best known for his contributions to the giallo genre.
Contents
Early life
Martino was born in Rome in 1938. He was the grandson of director Gennaro Righelli, and the younger brother of producer Luciano Martino, whom he frequently collaborated with.
Career
Martino began his career working for his brother. He was an assistant director to Brunello Rondi (on The Demon) and Mario Bava (on The Whip and the Body). His directorial debut was the 1969 mondo film Mille peccati... nessuna virtù.
Beginning with 1971's The Strange Vice of Mrs. Wardh, Martino was a major figure in the giallo genre. He became frequent collaborators with its star Edwige Fenech, who throughout the 1970s was married to his brother Luciano. After the decline of gialli, he directed her in several commedia sexy all'italiana films.
He also worked with many genre actors such as George Hilton (who was married to Sergio's cousin), Anita Strindberg, Ivan Rassimov and Claudio Cassinelli, as well as famed Italian screenwriter Ernesto Gastaldi.
In 1984, Martino directed the football comedy L'allenatore nel pallone, which has gained a large cult following in Italy. He directed the sequel in 2008.
Martino's pseudonyms include Julian Barry, Martin Dolman, Serge Martin, Christian Plummer, and George Raminto.
Selected filmography
Note: The films listed as N/A are not necessarily chronological.