
Domenico Paolella
Directing
Biography
Domenico Paolella was an Italian film director and screenwriter whose career encompassed a wide range of genres from the 1940s to the 1970s. Born in Foggia, Apulia, he began his career directing documentaries and short films before transitioning to feature films. Paolella directed over 50 films, including historical epics like Hercules and the Tyrants of Babylon (1964), adventure films such as The Two Gladiators (1964), and Spaghetti Westerns like Execution (1968). He was also known for his work in the nunsploitation genre with films like The Nuns of Saint Archangel (1973). Paolella's films are noted for their dynamic storytelling and engagement with popular cinematic trends of his time.
Known For

Refusing an arranged marriage, young aristocrat Carmela is sent to a convent. Her arrival intensifies the power struggle between the debauched nun Elizabeth and the stern Mother Superior, as both are smitten by Carmela's beauty.
Story of a Cloistered Nun

A secret document has fallen into the hands of pirates. Spain and England are both interested. The English commissioned a notorious pirate and the Spaniards procure their best officer, Carlos de Herrera, to retrieve the document for them.
The Secret of the Black Falcon

A German officer is forced to marry Louise, daughter of a general, hero of the First World War. But Louise maintains lesbian relationships with Margo.
Berlin '39

In order to persuade the Emperor to spare his village, the mighty Ursus is forced to fight the greatest gladiator in Rome in the Roman Arena.
The Rebel Gladiators

A mechanic falls in love with a girl who aspires to become a diva.
Non sono più guaglione

It's 1577. The Mother Superior at the convent of Archangel is seriously ill. The determined and calculating Mother Giulia plots to become the next Mother Superior. She receives tough competition from tormented lesbian Sister Chiara and the lusty Sister Carmela.
The Nun and the Devil

A homicide detective realizes that the brutal murders committed by a mysterious serial killer he's after have something to do with the late husband of a beautiful widow.
Body Puzzle

Though Genghis Khan eventually sought peace with the West, his death in 1227 AD puts into power his three war-like sons: Sayan, Susdal, and Kin Khan. These sons quickly overrun the city of Tuleda and take prisoner Princess Bianca, though young Prince Alessio escapes. Hercules comes to the rescue of Bianca, winning her freedom in a tournament in exchange for becoming a slave himself. Forces from the West soon come to re-take Tuleda and Hercules -- freed from his bonds -- helps to dispatch Genghis Khan's three sons while again saving Bianca and reuniting her with her young brother.
Hercules Against the Mongols

After being captured during a bank robbery, a cowboy is sent to a prison located in a swamp, where he contracts malaria. He soon escapes and, with the help of a Mexican, sets out to track down his partner, who escaped from the bank robbery with all the money.
Hate for Hate

Hercules goes to Babylon to rescue the Queen of the Hellenes and free the people of Babylon from slavery.
Hercules and the Tyrants of Babylon

Goliath (Peter Lupus) comes to the aid of the former King Selim in order to regain his throne and rescue his daughter (Anna Maria Polani).
Goliath at the Conquest of Damascus

A musical comedy divided into five segments: Mariantonia, Cuttica, Il Fine Dicitore, Fregoli and Il Censore.
Gran varietà

A businessman comes into conflict with a gangster when he refuses to allow drugs to be sold through his restaurant.
Gardenia

Fed up with the murderous shenanigans of Valli’s protection racket, police chief Grifi assembles an ace team of stunt trained police officers to tackle the mob!
Stunt Squad

The eternal Hercules in this film has gone way beyond his usual time and place in ancient Greece and is now helping Poland free itself of Mongol invaders in the 12th century. Mark Forest is the star of this peplum epic, Hercules Against The Barbarians.
Hercules Against the Barbarians

It's 1790 and British Naval Commander Redway is driven by greed for money and will stop at nothing to get it. His second in command, David Robinson, questions his allegiance when Redway kills his father and takes his brother prisoner. In order to save his brother and avenge his father's death David must join forces with a band of pirates, led by Captain Bernard, hunt down and kill Redway.
Avenger of the Seven Seas

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.
Samson Against the Sheik

Antonio La Quaglia becomes the railroader in Piovarolo during 1922 meanwhile the fascism is raising. Later he marries a jewish woman. He has career ambitions but can not reach them.
Destinazione Piovarolo

Film in three episodes, entitled Sabato mattina, L'omaggio and No, non è per gelosia, which see as protagonists Andrea, Giorgio and Mr. Sgarbozzi, married men who cheat on their respective wives for escapades and one-night stands.
Three Under the Sheets

Treacherous Roman senator Lucius Quintilius plans a secret journey into Thrace to recover a legendary treasure. He is accompanied by his daughter Livia posing as a Christian slave girl, his cruel henchman Commodio, and Terenzius, an ex-gladiator and Nero look-alike who fools the local Thracians into believing he is the real Emperor. But Lucius's plans are thwarted by Spartacus and his band of rebels who succeed in capturing the treasure for Thrace. When news arrives from Rome that the real Nero has died, local Roman governor Consul Metellus joins forces with Spartacus to defeat the traitors.