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Caligula

Original title: Caligola
  • 19791979
  • UnratedUnrated
  • 2h 36m
IMDb RATING
5.3/10
36K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
779
27
Malcolm McDowell in Caligula (1979)
DramaHistory
A dramatization of the ascent to Caesar and subsequent reign of Caligula, one of the most notorious leaders of ancient Rome. We see his ambition, his scheming, his perversion and decadence, ... Read allA dramatization of the ascent to Caesar and subsequent reign of Caligula, one of the most notorious leaders of ancient Rome. We see his ambition, his scheming, his perversion and decadence, his brutality and his lunacy.A dramatization of the ascent to Caesar and subsequent reign of Caligula, one of the most notorious leaders of ancient Rome. We see his ambition, his scheming, his perversion and decadence, his brutality and his lunacy.
IMDb RATING
5.3/10
36K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
779
27
    • Tinto Brass(principal photography)
  • Writers
    • Gore Vidal(adapted from an original screenplay by)
    • Malcolm McDowell(additional dialogue)
    • Masolino D'Amico(Italian version)
  • Stars
    • Malcolm McDowell
    • Peter O'Toole
    • Helen Mirren
    • Tinto Brass(principal photography)
  • Writers
    • Gore Vidal(adapted from an original screenplay by)
    • Malcolm McDowell(additional dialogue)
    • Masolino D'Amico(Italian version)
  • Stars
    • Malcolm McDowell
    • Peter O'Toole
    • Helen Mirren
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 337User reviews
    • 120Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards

    Photos208

    Malcolm McDowell and Teresa Ann Savoy in Caligula (1979)
    Caligula (1979)
    Caligula (1979)
    Malcolm McDowell and Teresa Ann Savoy in Caligula (1979)
    Malcolm McDowell in Caligula (1979)
    Malcolm McDowell in Caligula (1979)
    Malcolm McDowell in Caligula (1979)
    John Gielgud, Malcolm McDowell, Helen Mirren, and Peter O'Toole in Caligula (1979)
    Malcolm McDowell in Caligula (1979)
    Malcolm McDowell in Caligula (1979)
    Malcolm McDowell in Caligula (1979)
    Malcolm McDowell in Caligula (1979)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Malcolm McDowell
    Malcolm McDowell
    • Caligula
    Peter O'Toole
    Peter O'Toole
    • Tiberius
    Helen Mirren
    Helen Mirren
    • Caesonia
    Teresa Ann Savoy
    Teresa Ann Savoy
    • Drusilla
    Guido Mannari
    Guido Mannari
    • Macro
    John Gielgud
    John Gielgud
    • Nerva
    Giancarlo Badessi
    • Claudius
    Bruno Brive
    • Gemellus
    Adriana Asti
    Adriana Asti
    • Ennia
    Leopoldo Trieste
    Leopoldo Trieste
    • Charicles
    Paolo Bonacelli
    Paolo Bonacelli
    • Chaerea
    John Steiner
    John Steiner
    • Longinus
    Mirella D'Angelo
    Mirella D'Angelo
    • Livia
    • (as Mirella Dangelo)
    Rick Parets
    • Mnester
    • (as Richard Parets)
    Paula Mitchell
    • Subura Singer
    Osiride Pevarello
    • Giant
    Donato Placido
    • Proculus
    Joss Ackland
    Joss Ackland
    • Chaerea
    • (English version)
    • (voice)
    • (uncredited)
      • Tinto Brass(principal photography)
    • Writers
      • Gore Vidal(adapted from an original screenplay by)
      • Malcolm McDowell(additional dialogue) (uncredited)
      • Masolino D'Amico(Italian version)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The child-birth scene where Caesonia (Helen Mirren) gives birth, was an actual child-birth, which was filmed in three takes using three different pregnant women extras and later edited together. Extras assisting the births were real doctors, who said they were indeed equipped with all the modern tools they would need to ensure safety for the women and babies despite in full ancient Roman clothing.
    • Goofs
      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

      [first lines]

      Caligula: I have existed from the morning of the world and I shall exist until the last star falls from the night. Although I have taken the form of Gaius Caligula, I am all men as I am no man and therefore I am a God.

    • Crazy credits
      Due to numerous pending lawsuits and settlements at the time of the film's release, no one is technically fully credited for writing and directing the finished film.
    • Alternate versions
      The censored version of this film has been released of a few occasions in Australia. In March 1981, a censored, R rated release to cinemas was made by Roadshow. Roadshow Home Video subsequently released the same film version to video in September 1984. This version ran for 146 minutes (PAL). It was again re-released by a 'no name' video label in the late 1990's. The censored DVD version appeared in December 2004, released by Warner Vision. The uncut version has been released in Australia, this was the fully uncut, X rated 156 minute PAL version. It was released in January 1985 by 'Palace X Video' - a version that is now an extremely rare collector's item. The uncut version has since been rated R18+ by the Australian classification board in 2021.
    • Connections
      Edited into Video Macumba (1991)
    • Soundtracks
      Spartacus
      (uncredited)

      Written by Aram Khachaturyan

      Conducted by Bruno Nicolai

    User reviews337

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    must see
    Excuse the title of this review however the bottom line is, it has to be seen to be believed. The purely supreme cast is more than likely the only thing keeping the film from being well and truly buried in a basement. Historical revelations indicate that the content of this film probably does in fact (to a degree) reflect the lunacy rampant at the time and yes that means....meaningless executions, wild paranoia, incest and of course the gratuitous sex which could probably leave some soft porn movies looking very average (provided you get the right version). No its not a true classic but it dabbles with taboo, and dares go where other films draw the line. Its one i'll watch again and one you'd have to see merely to say you saw it. 6/10 scorpio
    helpful•109
    48
    • scorpioscorpion
    • May 21, 2004

    FAQ8

    • Is Bob Guccione the director?
    • Did Gore Vidal disown the film because Bob Guccione and Tinto Brass added explicit sex and gore to the film?
    • Is this film historically accurate?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 15, 1980 (United States)
      • Italy
      • United States
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Dear Studios, Rome, Lazio, Italy
    • Production companies
      • Penthouse Films International
      • Felix Cinematografica
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • 2 hours 36 minutes
      • Mono(original release)

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