Caligula: Unrated Edition (1979)
Image / Penthouse DVD (region 1)
d. Tinto Brass, Bob Guccione, Giancarlo Lui; pr. Bob Guccione, Franco Rossellini; scr. Gore Vidal; ph. Silvano Ippoliti; m. Bruno Nicolai (as Paul Clemente); ed. Nino Baragli; cast. Malcolm McDowell, Helen Mirren, Teresa Ann Savoy, Peter O'Toole, John Gielgud, Adriana Asti, Guido Manari, Paolo Bonacelli, Leopoldo Trieste, Lori Wagner (156 mins)
Caligula was touted by producer Bob Guccione as a bold new work of art. With a name cast it was to date the largest investment in the so-called “adult” movie. Initially planned mid-decade, it responded to a time when pornography was being seen by mainstream critics and “respectable” audiences, some of whom even responded positively. This brief legitimization of the American porno film as a distinct genre also coincided with a move in Italian cinema of the period towards depictions of often sadistic excess, with Salo and Salon Kitty garnering much controversy. When Guccione struck a deal with author Gore Vidal to script Caligula it seemed that he would indeed have a prestigious work. However, soon Vidal and director Tinto Brass fought repeatedly over the central characterization and Guccione had to arbitrate. Guccione also had a more explicit vision in mind than Brass and would return with the crew (and director Giancarlo Lui) to film additional scenes for later insertion into the completed film. When Vidal saw what the project was turning into, he insisted that his name be removed from the credits. Likewise, Brass disapproved of Guccione’s alterations (the addition of hardcore footage) and refused to yield his right to final cut. The film spent years in dispute, with Brass finally paid off. When the highly anticipated film was duly released, far from transforming American cinema, it became the most excoriated film ever made.
Caligula is set in pagan Rome 37-41AD. Caligula (Malcolm McDowell), incestuously in love with his sister Drusilla (Teresa Ann Savoy), is summoned by Tiberius Caesar (Peter O’Toole) to Capri. There, Caligula is shown all manner of decadence by the syphilitic ruler and fears for his own safety. Caligula longs to be Emperor and aids in Tiberius’ death at the hands of a powerful army leader. Now Caesar, Caligula sets about eliminating his enemies (and former loyal friends) and then systematically attacking all that wealthy Roman society held dear. At Drusilla’s urging, he intends to marry, but seeks to do so with a promiscuous woman, Caesonia (Helen Mirren), whom his sister dislikes. He is devastated when his sister is taken ill with fever and subsequently dies. He leaves the throne and wanders the decadent streets until arrested and imprisoned. When his identity is uncovered by a mute prison guard, he returns to the Imperial Palace a demented man, proclaiming himself a God and intent to defile Rome by making a lavish Imperial Bordello to be stocked with the senators’ wives and daughters. He also plans to invade Britain and subsequently arranges for a bizarre excursion by the army under his command. He has gone too far in his attacks on Roman order (and even morality) and suspects that there exist those who are plotting against him, although he almost may be looking forward to this. read more