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Alan Steel
193?-
Updated 12/17/2007.
biography
Alan Steel was born Sergio Ciani in Italy. While many Hercules actors were American bodybuilders, the handsome Steel began his acting career as a stand-in for Steve Reeves and later played second banana to such sword and sandal actors as Brad Harris. However, by 1964 Steel was starring in such peplums as Hercules Against Rome (1964). Another starring vehicle for Steel, Hercules Against the Moon Men (1964) is one of a handful of sword and sandal movies to incorporate science fiction into the sword and sandal genre. Reg Park's Hercules in the Haunted World (1961; with Christopher Lee) and Gordon Mitchell's The Giant of Metropolis (1961) also blend sci-fi with sword and sandal. Today, the big claim to fame for Hercules Against the Moon Men is that the film was featured in an episode of Mystery Science Theater 3000 in 1992.
the films of alan steel
Samson (1961)
From Samson with Brad Harris in the title role (Thanks to Nathalie Manier)
Samson and the Slave Queen (1963)
Stills from Samson and the Slave Queen
Hercules Against the Moon Men (1964)
LEFT and CENTER: Steel dukes it out with the rock-like moon men in his best-known film Hercules Against the Moon Men. RIGHT: Steel romances Jany Clair
Hercules and the Pirates (1964)
Promotional photos from Hercules and the Pirates
Hercules Against Rome (1964)
LEFT: Original poster from Hercules Against Rome. CENTER and RIGHT: Images and video captures from the film, thanks to Alex Chirita. Note that in profile, the bearded Steel bears a striking resemblance to Steve Reeves
more alan steel
Whereas sword and sandal films were largely made in Italy and shot in Italian, most of the lead actors were from other countries. With the success of Steve Reeves' Hercules in the late 1950s, Italian producers scoured California seeking other bodybuilders with acting experience. At the time, physique culture was not as popular in Italy, which often relegated homegrown to a supporting role. However, Alan Steel and Kirk Morris, another Italian who found fame in sword and sandal epics, muscled their way through to starring status.
When the era of the sword and sandal film died out in the mid 1960s, Steel continued acting in other film genres. His acting career appears to have wrapped up in the late 1970s.
Hercules Unchained [DVD](1960) DVD
Steve Reeves returns as the mighty Hercules in another saga of muscles, maidens and monsters. Robbed of his memory, Herc is a prisoner of the lovely Queen of Lidia and must compete in the Contest of Giants for his freedom. 95 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English (dubbed) Dolby Digital mono.
Hercules Unchained [VHS](1960) VHS
Steve Reeves returns as the mighty Hercules in another saga of muscles, maidens and monsters. Robbed of his memory, Herc is a prisoner of the lovely Queen of Lidia and must compete in the Contest of Giants for his freedom. 101 min. Dubbed in English.
Samson [DVD](1961) DVD
Bodybuilder Brad Harris brings down the house as the strongman of Old Testament fame, splitting tree trunks with his bare hands, tackling whole legions of soldiers, and even battling fellow muscleman Hercules in a cross-theological showdown. With Walter Reeves, Mara Berni. AKA: "The Fury of Hercules," "Fury of Samson," "Samson vs. Hercules." 98 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English (dubbed). Plays All Regions.
Samson [VHS](1961) VHS
Bodybuilder Brad Harris brings down the house as the strongman of Old Testament fame, splitting tree trunks with his bare hands, tackling whole legions of soldiers, and even battling fellow muscleman Hercules in a cross-theological showdown. With Walter Reeves, Mara Berni. AKA: "The Fury of Hercules," "Fury of Samson," "Samson vs. Hercules." 97 min. Dubbed in English.
The Fury Of Hercules(1961) VHS
It's a labor of love for the legendary strongman, as Herc (essayed here by Brad Harris) comes to the aid of a beautiful queen whose land has been conquered by a cruel tyrant. 96 min.
The Old Testament [VHS](1962) VHS
Great Biblical action epic detailing the flight of the Maccabees into the desert and their regrouping for ultimate victory; with Brad Harris, Margaret Taylor. 88 min.
The Giant Of Marathon [DVD](1962) DVD
Steve "Hercules" Reeves plays the musclebound hero who defends Athens from Persian forces. A horse with incredible stamina, a double-crossing siren, epic land and sea battles and Reeves' amazing physique highlight this sword-and-sandal winner directed by Jacques Tourneur ("Cat People"). 85 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English (dubbed). Plays All Regions.
Samson And His Mighty Challenge [DVD](1964) DVD
Extremely rare Italian slugfest suits up four of the most popular sword-and-sandal musclemen from the early '60s--Samson (Nadir Baltimore), Hercules (Alan Steel), Maciste (Howard Ross), and Ursus (Yann L'Arvor)--as they combat an evil tyrant. Soundtrack: English (dubbed).
Samson And His Mighty Challenge [VHS](1964) VHS
Extremely rare Italian slugfest suits up four of the most popular sword-and-sandal musclemen from the early '60s--Samson (Nadir Baltimore), Hercules (Alan Steel), Maciste (Howard Ross), and Ursus (Yann L'Arvor)--as they combat an evil tyrant. Dubbed in English.
Hercules Against The Moon Men [DVD](1964) DVD
In grand Herculean fashion, our hero (Alan Steel) comes to the aid of Good Samaritans and battles the interplanetary menace of the Moon Men (who look like giant, lumpy Gumbys) and the wizard trying to help them revive her queen. Oh, did we mention the sandstorm scene? 88 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English (dubbed) mono; theatrical trailer. Plays All Regions.
Hercules Against The Moon Men(1964) VHS
In grand Herculean fashion, our hero (Alan Steel) comes to the aid of the good Samarians and battles the interplanetary menace of the Moon Men (who look like giant, lumpy Gumbys) and the wizard trying to help them revive their queen. Oh, and did we mention the sandstorm scene?
Hercules The Avenger (1965)/Hercules And The Black Pirate [DVD](1964) DVD
Reg Park excels as the muscular hero in "Hercules the Avenger," journeying into the underworld to save his son from the clutches of Gaea, the wicked Earth goddess. Meanwhile, Gaea's son travels to Earth and masquerades as a villainous Herc. Sharp-eyed viewers will spot stock footage from "Hercules and the Captive Women" and "Hercules in the Haunted World." With Gia Sandri. Next, Alan Steel stars as "Captain Hercules" in the rousing (if anachronistic) sea saga "Hercules and the Black Pirate," fighting the title villain and a governor's ruthless advisor while trying to win the hand of the governor's beautiful daughter. With Anna Arena. 164 min. total. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English (dubbed) Dolby Digital mono.
Cosmic Superheroes: Four-DVD Box Set [DVD] DVD
Ken Utsui shines as Starman, the superhero from the Emerald Planet, in four action-packed films, all from 1964: "Attack from Space," "Evil Brain from Outer Space," "Invaders from Space," and "Atomic Rulers of the World." Next, "Goliath and the Dragon" (1960) finds the heroic muscleman doing battle with not only a dragon, but also a three-headed dog and a giant bat. Then, "The Conqueror of Atlantis" (1960) is a way, way out gladiator entry starring Kirk Morris as Heracles, out to find a kidnapped Nomad princess. In grand Herculean fashion, our hero (Alan Steel) comes to the aid of Good Samaritans in "Hercules Against the Moon Men" (1964). Lastly, a 17th-century bodybuilder descends into Hell to remove "The Witch's Curse" (1962). 11 hrs. on four discs. Standard; Soundtrack: English (dubbed) Dolby Digital mono.
alan steel dvds available from amazon.com
filmography
Baby Love (1979)
Io tigro, tu tigri, egli tigra (1978) with Erika Blanc
Robin, frecce, fagioli e karate (1977)
Dagli archivi della polizia criminale (1973) with Gordon Mitchell and Edmund Purdom
Silent Horror (1973) with Carroll Baker
The Young Cowboy (1973), made in Turkey. Steel is the villain (thanks to A. Kole)
Fast Hand Is Still My Name (1972) with William Berger
Slaughter on the Khyber Pass (1970)
Sapevano solo uccidere (aka Saguaro) (1968) with Kirk Morris and Gordon Mitchell
Addio, mamma! (1967)
Un Colpo da re (1967)
A come assassino (1966)
Samson and the Mighty Challenge (1964) (aka Hercules, Samson, Maciste, and Ursus: The Invincibles) with Red Ross
Hercules and the Masked Rider (1964) (aka Goliath and the Masked Rider) with Mimmo Palmara
Hercules and the Black Pirate (1964) (aka Samson Vs. the Black Pirate) with Rosalba Neri
Hercules Against Rome (1964) with Daniele Vargas and Mimmo Palmara
The Three Avengers (1964) with Mimmo Palmara, Lisa Gastoni, Rosalba Neri, and Carlo Tamberlani
Hercules Against the Moon Men (1964) (aka Maciste and the Queen of Samar)
Hercules and the Treasure of the Incas (1964)
The Old Testament (1963) with Nando Tamberlani and Brad Harris
The Rebel Gladiators (1963) (aka Ursus, the Rebel Gladiator) with Dan Vadis and Gloria Milland
Samson and the Slave Queen (1963) (aka Zorro Versus Maciste) with Pierre Brice
The Fury of Hercules (1962) with Brad Harris
Samson (1961) with Brad Harris
Giant of Marathon (1960) with Steve Reeves
Hercules Unchained (1960) with Steve Reeves, Sylva Koscina, and Sylvia Lopez
links
Go to the Other Hercules Heroes page, featuring Paul Wynter, Peter and David Paul, Richard Lloyd, and Jacques Sernas.
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This page premiered June 15, 1998.
Counter reset March 1, 2001.
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