Caligula (1979) Caligola (original title)

Directors:

Tinto Brass
Bob Guccione
(more)

Writer:

Gore Vidal (screenplay)
(more)

Release Date:

15 February 1980 (USA)

Genre:

Adult | Drama | History

Tagline:

What would you have done if you had been given absolute power of life and death over everybody else in the whole world?

Plot:

Details the graphic and shocking, yet undeniably tragic story of Rome's most infamous Caesar, Gaius Germanicus Caligula.

Plot Keywords:

Hardcore | Orgy | Horse | Marriage | Emperor

Cast

Malcolm McDowell	...	Caligula
Teresa Ann Savoy	...	Drusilla
Guido Mannari	...	Macro
John Gielgud	...	Nerva
Peter O'Toole	...	Tiberius
Giancarlo Badessi	...	Claudius
Bruno Brive	...	Gemellus
Adriana Asti	...	Ennia
Leopoldo Trieste	...	Charicles
Paolo Bonacelli	...	Chaerea
John Steiner	...	Longinus
Mirella D'Angelo	...	Livia (as Mirella Dangelo)
Helen Mirren	...	Caesonia
Rick Parets	...	Mnester (as Richard Parets)
Paula Mitchell	...	Subura Singer
Osiride Pevarello	...	Giant
Donato Placido	...	Proculus
Anneka Di Lorenzo	...	Messalina
Lori Wagner	...	Agrippina
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Patrick Allen	...	Macro (voice) (uncredited)
Gerardo Amato	...	Roman Soldier (uncredited)
Pino Ammendola	...	Roman Soldier (uncredited)
Eduardo Bergara Leumann	...	High Priest of Rome (uncredited)
Signe Berger	...	Imperial Brothel Worker (uncredited)
Eolo Capritti	...	The Executioner (uncredited)
Valerie Rae Clark	...	Priestess of Isis / Imperial Brothel Worker (uncredited)
Maria Cumani Quasimodo	...	Priestess of Isis (uncredited)
Lucky Fellows	...	Man in Imperial Brothel (uncredited)
Jane Hargrave	...	Priestess of Isis / Imperial Brothel Worker (uncredited)
Henrietta Kelogg	...	Imperial Brothel Worker (uncredited)
John Francis Lane	...	Guest at Proculus' Wedding (uncredited)
Giuseppe Maffioli	...	Master of Ceremonies (uncredited)
Juliet Morris	...	Imperial Brothel Worker (uncredited)
Carolyn Patsis	...	Imperial Brothel Worker (uncredited)
Susanne Saxon	...	Imperial Brothel Worker (uncredited)
Melanie Sutherland	...	Imperial Brothel Worker (uncredited)
Bonnie Dee Wilson	...	Imperial Brothel Worker (uncredited)

Directed by
Tinto Brass		(principal photography)
Bob Guccione		(additional footage)
Giancarlo Lui		(additional footage)

Writing credits
Gore Vidal		(screenplay)
Bob Guccione		(additional scenes) (1984 version) uncredited &
Giancarlo Lui		(additional scenes) (1984 version) uncredited
Franco Rossellini		(dialogue) (1984 version) uncredited

Produced by
Bob Guccione	....	producer
Franco Rossellini	....	producer
Franco Rossellini	....	line producer (uncredited)
Jack H. Silverman	....	executive producer (uncredited)

Original Music by
Bruno Nicolai		(as Paul Clemente)
Renzo Rossellini		(1984)

Cinematography by
Silvano Ippoliti		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Nino Baragli
Enzo Micarelli		(1984 version)
Russell Lloyd		(uncredited)

Casting by
Paolo Heusch
Roberto Tatti

Art Direction by
Danilo Donati

Costume Design by
Danilo Donati		(uncredited)

Makeup Department
Giuseppe Banchelli	....	makeup artist (as Guiseppe Banchelli)
Iole Cecchini	....	hair stylist (as Jole Cecchini)

Production Management
Mario Di Biase	....	production manager
Sergio Galiano	....	unit manager
Augusto Marabelli	....	production supervisor
Alessandro Mattei	....	production supervisor
Franco Rossellini	....	post-production supervisor (1984 version)

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Piernico Solinas	....	first assistant director
Luca Ronchi	....	second assistant director (uncredited)

Art Department
Gianpiero Grassi	....	property master
Domenico Mancino	....	blacksmith
Giovanni Natalucci	....	architect
Luigi Urbani	....	set dresser
Franco Velchi	....	architect

Sound Department
Marco Di Biase	....	boom operator
Gerry Humphreys	....	dubbing mixer
Archie Ludski	....	dialogue editor
Claudio Maielli	....	sound engineer
Giuliano Maielli	....	boom operator
Stefano Morandi	....	sound mixer (1984 version)
Robin O'Donoghue	....	dubbing mixer
Winston Ryder	....	supervising sound editor
Roger Van Engel	....	sound editor

Special Effects by
Franco Celli	....	special effects
Marcello Coccia	....	special effects

Camera and Electrical Department
Eddie Adams	....	special photographer
Jerry Bauer	....	special photographer
Giuseppe Di Biase	....	camera operator (as Pino Di Biase)
Bob Guccione	....	cinematographer: additional scenes
Giancarlo Lui	....	cinematographer: additional scenes
Stan Malinowski	....	special photographer
Claudio Patriarca	....	special photographer
Enrico Sasso	....	camera operator
Mario Tursi	....	unit photographer

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Gloria Musetta	....	wardrobe mistress (as Gloria Picone Mussetta)
Gregorio Simili	....	wardrobe master

Editorial Department
Peter Krook	....	assistant editor
Giancarlo Lui	....	post-production director
Enzo Natale	....	post-production coordinator (1984 version)
Stuart Urban	....	assistant editor

Music Department
Bruno Nicolai	....	conductor (as Paul Clemente)
Bruno Nicolai	....	orchestrator (as Paul Clemente)

Other crew
Walter Alford	....	unit publicist
Ferruccio Amendola	....	dubbing director (1984 version)
Carla Cipriani	....	continuity
Bruno Di Bartolomei	....	accountant
Leslie Jay	....	assistant to producers
Tito LeDuc	....	choreographer (as Tito Le Duc)
Giuseppe Maffioli	....	consultant: gastronomy
Giuseppe Pennese	....	choreographer (as Pino Pennese)
Franco Rossellini	....	director: additional scenes (1984 version)
Maria Ruhle	....	unit publicist
Louise Vincent	....	dialogue director
Masolino D'Amico	....	translator (uncredited)
Paula Mitchell	....	researcher (uncredited)

Production Companies

• Penthouse Films International
• Felix Cinematografica

Distributors

• Produzioni Atlas Consorziate (P.A.C.) (1979) (Italy) (theatrical) (as "Caligola")
• Analysis Film Releasing Corporation (1980) (USA) (theatrical)
• Seville Pictures (1980) (Canada) (theatrical) (Canada: Quebec)
• Ízaro Films (1981) (Spain) (theatrical)
• GTO (UK)
• Citadel Films (1981) (Canada) (theatrical) (Canada: English Canada)
• Gaumont Italia (1984) (Italy) (theatrical) (re-release)
• Vestron Video (1984) (USA) (VHS)
• Image Entertainment (1999) (USA) (DVD)
• Cine-Studio (1981) (Finland) (theatrical)
• Nippon Herald Films (1980) (Japan) (theatrical)
• Roadshow Entertainment (1981) (Australia) (theatrical) (re-edit)
• Tobis Filmkunst (????) (West Germany) (theatrical)
• Tobis (1980) (West Germany) (theatrical)
• Amuse Pictures (2002) (Japan) (DVD)
• Arrow Film Distributors (2008) (UK) (DVD)
• Arrow Film Distributors (2010) (UK) (DVD) (Blu-ray)
• BRI Video (????) (USA) (VHS) (R version)
• Bitworks (2002) (Japan) (DVD)
• Cine Video Corporation (CVC) S.r.l. (Italy) (VHS) (1984 version)
• Digital Site Corporation (2008) (Japan) (DVD)
• Digital Site Corporation (2009) (Japan) (DVD) (Blu-ray)
• Dutch FilmWorks (DFW) (2001) (Netherlands) (DVD)
• Ekaterinburg Art Home Video (EAHV) (????) (Russia) (DVD)
• Ekaterinburg Art Home Video (EAHV) (????) (Russia) (VHS)
• Electric (????) (UK) (VHS)
• Filmco Sweden (????) (Sweden) (VHS)
• Future Film (2001) (Finland) (DVD) (2-disc edition)
• Future Film (2008) (Finland) (DVD) (3-disc edition)
• GAGA (2008) (Japan) (DVD)
• General Media International Financial Services (GMIFS) N.V.
• Happinet Corporation (2009) (Japan) (DVD) (Blu-ray)
• Hem Films/HemVideo Film (????) (Sweden) (VHS) (re-release)
• Home Video Hellas (HVH) (????) (Greece) (VHS)
• Image Entertainment (1999) (USA) (DVD) (widescreen)
• Image Entertainment (2007) (USA) (DVD)
• KAVAN-Scanbox Entertainment (????) (Denmark) (VHS)
• Movies Select Video (1992) (Belgium) (VHS) (un-cut version)
• Movies Select Video (19??) (Netherlands) (VHS)
• Paradox Entertainment Group (2007) (Canada) (DVD)
• Penthouse Video (1984) (USA) (VHS)
• Roadshow Home Video (????) (Australia) (VHS)
• Screen Multimedia-Metrodome Distribution (1998) (UK) (VHS) (re-release)
• TV3 (1992) (Finland) (TV)
• Universal Video (UV) (????) (Italy) (VHS)
• Video Film Express (2009) (Netherlands) (DVD) (3-disc imperial edition)
• Video Screen (1984) (Belgium) (VHS) (cut version)
• Warner Vision Australia (2005) (Australia) (DVD) (cut)

Other Companies

• Cine Audio Effects  sound effects and foley design
• Cinenoleggio  technical equipment
• Ferani Veste  costume rental
• L.C.P. di Pompei  shoes
• Rancati dei Fratelli Sormani  props (as Rancate of Sormani)
• Rocchetti e Carboni  wigs (as Rocchetti-Carboni)
• Royal Italian Symphonia  orchestra
• Soc G.E.S.C.A. S.p.a.  accounting (as Soc. G.E.S.C.A. Spa.)
• Twickenham Film Studios  sound re-recording (as Twickenham Studios, London, England)
• V.G. S.r.l.  titles and opticals (1984 version)

Also Known As:

"Caligola" - Italy (original title)

Runtime:

156 min | Spain:137 min | USA:102 min (R-rated version) | Italy:123 min (recut version) | USA:148 min (re-release)

Country:

Italy | USA

Language:

Italian | English

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby (re-release: 1999) | Mono (original release)

Certification:

Germany:18 (SPIO/JK) (cut) | USA:R (heavily cut) | USA:Unrated (uncut) | Spain:X | Italy:VM18 | Canada:R (Manitoba/Ontario) | New Zealand:R18 | Finland:K-18 (heavily cut) (1981) | Australia:Refused Classification (2005) | Belgium:16 (video rating) | Belgium:KNT (original rating) | Netherlands:16 | West Germany:18 (nf) | France:-16 | France:X (DVD release) | Japan:R-18 | UK:18 (uncut version) | Canada:R (Nova Scotia) (re-rating) (2007) | Brazil:18 | Portugal:M/18 (DVD rating) (uncut) | Spain:18 | Australia:(Banned) (original rating) | Australia:R (Original rating) (uncut) | Australia:R (re-rating, cut) (1981) | Australia:X (Video rating) (1984) | Belgium:16 (DVD rating) | Canada:(Banned) (Ontario) (original rating) | Australia:(Banned) (classification refused) | Mexico:D | Malaysia:(Banned) | Argentina:18 | Canada:(Banned) (Nova Scotia) (original rating) | Chile:18 | Denmark:15 (DVD rating) | Denmark:16 | Finland:K-18 (uncut) (2001) | Hong Kong:III | Iceland:(Banned) (original rating) | Iceland:16 (cut) | Norway:18 | Peru:18 | South Korea:18 (cut) | Sweden:15 | USA:X (self applied MA for "Mature Audiences") | Australia:R (cut) | UK:X (original rating: 1980) (cut) | Germany:BPjM Restricted

Filming Locations:

Dear Studios, Rome, Lazio, Italy

Company:

Penthouse Films International

Trivia:

It is believed that over 2,500 people took part in the making of the movie, including actors, extras, carpenters, artisans, caterers.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: Many naked women have dim but visible tan lines, mostly around their hip area. However, topless sunbathing was then a thing of the future.

Quotes:

Nerva:Tiberius, you were wise once.
Tiberius:Don't taunt me! I am old.
Nerva:I've watched you grow into a monster! One by one, I've seen you murder your whole family, your friends, the noblest men in Rome.
Caligula:That is treason!
Nerva:No, it's the truth.
Tiberius:I am and always have been surrounded by enemies. In my own family, in the senate... You are cruel!
Nerva:Honest old men can sometimes see the future. So, from the evils past, and the evils yet to come, I now choose to escape.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "The Cinema Snob: A Clockwork Orgy (#3.21)" (2011)

Soundtrack:

We Are One

A masterpiece of costume and actuality

I watched this movie the first time the night-before last.. and watched it again last night and again tonight.

This movie is far from pornography... only a few scenes are hardcore, and only a couple of these are even barely erotic. It does not exactly function as an historical epic, either.

The film quality and lighting would make it appear to date from the 1960s.

The script is mediocre. More drama could be added, however we do have to bear in mind that the Romans followed the school of Stoicism.

The acting (including Malcolm McDowell's) is nothing outstanding, with the exception of Peter O'Toole's Tiberius Caesar. He displays tragedy and lunacy, evoking reactions of disgust, sympathy, pity, and compassion. I found myself much more intrigued by his character and wishing the movie was about his decline from wisdom to near-madness, rather than Caligula. It also caused me to desire to learn more and research the actual life of Tiberius.

The film neither condemns, nor condones. That is probably how it should be.

Where this film succeeds monumentally is the costuming and unabridged realism. This is the first film I've seen to have a character wearing a toga like the one Caligula's sister (a design many Roman women actually wore) wears in the opening scene. The depiction of slaves and the acts of love and brutality are well-done. It is not erotic, it is not horrifying. With the hardcore scenes excised (the version i saw was the complete version), I believe this movie should be shown in every high school World History class. For centuries, Western culture has censored and toned-down representations of its Pagan past. The filmmakers must be applauded for attempting to make an honest epic.

I've become very hard to please when it comes to movies. The last movie I actually liked to a strong degree was Amadeus, which I saw two years ago. Despite its flaws, with its sheer amount of action and atmosphere, I believe this movie deserves a 10.