The New York Ripper

(1927–1996), known as the “Godfather of Gore” (a title he shares with Herschell Gordon Lewis), was born in Rome. Also nicknamed “il dottore” for originally training as a doctor and often playing one in his cameos, he spent his early years as a filmmaking student and apprentice under famed Italian directors Steno, Mario Bava, Roberto Rossellini, and Federico Fellini. After establishing himself as a director, mainly in comedy, his inclination to subversion fully unfolded in 1969 with the nunsploitation drama The Conspiracy of Torture, the release of which caused a scandal. Never shy about exposing abuse and injustice years ahead of others, he worked in a wide array of genres, but is most beloved by his fans for his giallo and horror films, such as Don’t Torture a Duckling (1972), the ”Gates of Hell” trilogy, or The New York Ripper (1982). His work was also heavily featured in the “video nasties” controversy that shook 1980s Britain.