Sergio in action in HERCULES AGAINST ROME
Sergio Ciani, aka Alan Steel, died on September 5. He was 80 years old. He's one of my favourite PEPLUM stars. Very unique, amiable and yet could be menacing as well. He made the PEPLUM universe that much more cool. Sad.
Here's a brief summary taken from the HEROES & BEEFCAKE page :
Alan Steel, born Sergio Ciani, was one of several PEPLUM stars that was actually born in Italy and not imported fro another country. Big, beefy and red-haired, this Italian strongman made his screen debut in THE GIANT OF MARATHON wrestling with Steve Reeves. Faster than you can say Maciste, Sergio started appearing in his own mini-epics and became one of the most familiar faces that played Hercules and Maciste. Though most of his films are pure escapist fare, Alan did play a couple of serious PEP roles, including his impressive outing as Commodus in THE REBEL GLADIATOR.
HERCULES UNCHAINED
Future PEPLUM superstar Sergio Ciani, aka Alan Steel, first appeared in HERCULES UNCHAINED. Often erroneously credited as Steve Reeves' stuntman/body double in THE GIANT OF MARATHON, Sergio, or Alan, was Reeves' stuntman in a few scenes in HERCULES UNCHAINED, as shown in the screenshot directly below. Alan does appear, face in full view, in a couple of scenes (above).
THE GIANT OF MARATHON
Alan starred in a small role along with Steve Reeves
SAMSON
Alan co-starred with Brad Harris
Daria (Luisella Boni) is weary of Kaldos (Alan Steel aka Sergio Ciani) in FURY OF HERCULES
THE REBEL GLADIATOR
Alan Steel, as Commodus, shows who's the master of gladiatorial action in THE REBEL GLADIATOR
Alan with José Greci and Dan Vadis
SAMSON & THE SLAVE QUEEN
Alan with Massimo Serato and Moira Orfei
HERCULES AGAINST THE MASKED RIDER
Alan Steel as Hercules
HERCULES & THE TREASURE OF THE INCAS
Also known as LOST TREASURE OF THE AZTECS
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HERCULES & THE BLACK PIRATE
HERCULES AGAINST ROME
Two tavern whores fight over Hercules (Alan Steel) in HERCULES AGAINST ROME
Alan Steel fighting Nadir Moretti
HERCULES AGAINS THE MOON MEN
Queen Samara (Jany Clair) tempts Hercules (Alan Steel), or vice versa, in HERCULES AGAINST THE MOON MEN
SAMSON & THE MIGHTY CHALLENGE
Sergio Ciani (aka Alan Steel) played a sorta dense Hercules in this comedy
THE THREE AVENGERS
Alan fighting Nello Pazzafini
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4 comments:
I really, really liked "Alan". I think he had true star quality, being a likable fellow and an extremely capable action performer.
This is sad news but not terribly unexpected as all these men are getting up in age. I had no father growing up and all these guys were like father figures to me. Alan and Mark Forest were my favorites. R.I.P. Sergio
How sad, but also enlightening as I always wondered who the builder Reeves was wrestling with in the opening credits of "The Giant of Marathon". Also wondered if there was any more footage as Reeves rarely was pitted against a builder equal to his physique and it looked like one great match! Thanks for the informative salute.
very good collection of Sergio.
He was also one of my favourite peplum stars.
RIP
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