The son of an army officer and landowner, Cottafavi (christened Benedetto Vittorio Emmanuele Secondo) was already endowed
with a university education in law, philosophy and literature by the
time he graduated from the famous Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia
in Rome in 1938.
He began his professional career in the film industry as a clapper boy.
After progressing to write motion picture screenplays and working as
assistant director under
Alessandro Blasetti and
Vittorio De Sica, he became a director
in his own right in 1943. Many of his films have been
lavishly-produced, including several tongue-in-cheek "sword-and sandal" costume spectaculars
dealing with mythological subjects and usually involving the Roman Empire or
Ancient Egypt. From the mid-60s, Cottafavi concentrated exclusively on
directing TV series and mini-series under contract to RAI (Radio
Televisione Italiana).
Il diavolo sulle colline(1985)
Maria Zef(1981)
Con gli occhi dell'occidente(1979)
I Persiani(1975)
Sotto il placido Don(1974)
Napoleone a Sant'Elena(1973)
Fiamma che non si spegne(1949)
Il testimone(1946)
The Gates of Heaven(1945)
I Piombi di Venezia(1953)
Fantasmi del mare(1948)
Fiamme sul mare(1948)
Unknown Men of San Marino(1948)
Wielka droga(1946)
The Children Are Watching Us(1943)
Married to the Mob(1988)
Remake(1987)as Self
Les ateliers du rêve: les grands studios de cinéma dans le monde(1985)as Self
Cinéastes de notre temps(1964)as Self
Kino kolossal - Herkules, Maciste & Co(2000)as Self