RIP Michele Massimo Tarantini

 

Michele Massimo Tarantini, cult director of sexy comedies starring Lino Banfi and Edwige Fenech, has died.

Spettacolo

By Ivan Zingariello

April 3, 2026

 

Michele Massimo Tarantini—director and screenwriter of genre cinema, and above all of the "sexy comedies" starring Lino Banfi, Alvaro Vitali, and Edwige Fenech—has passed away. Sergio Martino remembers him: "He deserved more."

Michele Massimo Tarantini—a director and screenwriter synonymous with the "sexy comedy" genre, featuring stars such as Lino Banfi, Alvaro Vitali, and Edwige Fenech—has died in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He was 83 years old, and his passing was sudden, as confirmed by director (and his cousin) Sergio Martino, whom we reached by phone and who was the first to announce the death in a social media post.

Having moved to Brazil over 40 years ago—where he owned a *fazenda* that hosted events and lavish weddings—Tarantini was remembered for us by Sergio Martino in these words: "He was younger than me; it was a traumatic experience to see him pass away before I did. He even served as my assistant director; we grew up together from childhood, and eventually, we all went into filmmaking—a path paved by our family background, given my grandfather's cinematic 'chromosomes.' Later, my brother had the genius to create films with international appeal—even if, today, his work is truly recognized only abroad. He certainly deserved more recognition; much like his cinema, he was unjustly dismissed as 'trash.' We were in touch right up until a few days ago, when he mentioned he would be coming to Italy shortly. What can you do? That’s just how life is."

Who Was Michele Massimo Tarantini?

Michele Massimo Tarantini was an Italian film director and screenwriter, born in Rome on August 7, 1942. His name is primarily associated with genre cinema and the era of the "Italian sexy comedy"—a genre of which he was one of the most prolific practitioners.

Beginnings as an Assistant Director

Before moving into directing, Tarantini worked as an assistant director, gaining experience on Italian film sets—first as an assistant on Giuliano Carnimeo’s Westerns, and later for his cousin, Sergio Martino, on legendary films such as *Giovannona Coscialunga* and *I corpi presentano tracce di violenza carnale*, as well as Mariano Laurenti’s *Quel gran pezzo dell’Ubalda tutta nuda e tutta calda* and Nando Cicero’s *L’insegnante*.

Establishing Himself as a Director

Beginning in the mid-1970s, he established himself as a screenwriter and director, helming numerous films aimed at a mass audience. Among the most well-known titles in his filmography are many of the celebrated "sexy comedies" starring—either together or in rotation—Lino Banfi, Alvaro Vitali, and Gianfranco D’Angelo, alongside the legendary shower scenes featuring Edwige Fenech, Gloria Guida, Lilli Carati, Nadia Cassini, and others.

Films such as *La liceale*, *Taxi Girl*, *L’insegnante viene a casa*, *La poliziotta a New York*, *La moglie in bianco… l’amante al pepe*, *La dottoressa ci sta col colonnello* (or rather *cojonello*—"the big-balled one"—as Cassini used to call Banfi), *L’insegnante al mare con tutta la classe*, and *La dottoressa preferisce i marinai* are known by heart by fans and are constantly rerun on our TV channels.

In 1981, he also directed the little-known *Crema, cioccolata e… paprika*—the first film to mark the return of the duo Franco Franchi and Ciccio Ingrassia following their lengthy separation—which earned Franchi an accusation of Mafia association, given the presence of Giuseppe, the son of boss Michele Greco, as both co-writer and actor.

All these works make him one of the most representative names of the *commedia sexy all’italiana*—a genre that was very popular during that period.

Other Genres and Filmography

Throughout his career, Tarantini also worked in other genres, including crime and adventure cinema. Notable titles include *Napoli si ribella*, *Poliziotti violenti*, *Sangraal la spada di fuoco*, *Nudo e selvaggio*, and *Attrazione selvaggia*.

Active until 1990, he subsequently attempted a revival of the classic-style comedy in 2001 with *Se lo fai sono guai*—featuring his tried-and-tested team of Vitali, D’Angelo, Gammino, and Montanaro—though by then the moment had passed; his final directorial effort dates back to 2009 with the action TV movie *Il cacciatore di uomini*, starring Luca Ward.

TARANTINI, Michele Massimo, production department, art director, editor, writer, assistant director.

Born: 8/7/1942, Rome, Lazio, Italy

Died: 4/3/2026, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

 

Michele Massimo Tarantini’s westerns -   

$10,000 Blood Money – 1967 [production department]

Vengeance is Mine – 1967 [production department]

To Hell and Back – 1968 [assistant director]

Arizona Colt – 1970 [editor]

Light the Fuse… Sartana is Coming – 1970 [assistant director]

Dig Your Grave Friend... Sabata's Coming – 1971 [editor]

Guns for Dollars – 1971 [assistant director]

My Horse, My Gun, Your Widow – 1972 [art director]

His Name Was Holy Ghost – 1973 [assistant director]

Trinity Plus the Clown and a Guitar – 1975 [writer]