Stelvio Massi (26 March 1929 – 26 March 2004), 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.[1] He entered the cinema industry in 1952 as assistant camera operator, and in 1954, he became a cameraman.[2] Ten years later, he began to work as cinematographer, and in 1973, he debuted as film director with Macrò.[2] 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.[2]