Caligula (1979)

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

Director:

Tinto Brass

Writers:

Gore Vidal (adapted from an original screenplay by), Masolino D'Amico

Stars:

Malcolm McDowell, Peter O'Toole, Helen Mirren

2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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

Storyline

Pagan Rome, 37 A.D. With the reign of the frail, syphilis-ridden, half-mad Emperor Tiberius coming to an end, Prince Gaius Augustus Germanicus, aka Caligula, is summoned to the demented ruler's palace of sin on the island of Capri. After the murder of bedridden Tiberius, Caligula is proclaimed the new emperor, who, in turn, proclaims his beloved sister and lover, Julia Drusilla, as his equal, much to the disgust of the Roman Senate. Now, as a four-year reign of depravity and terror commences, allegiances turn into betrayal, virginities are destroyed, torture and execution weed out the competition, and dangerously megalomaniac Caligula declares himself a god. Can the Roman Empire tolerate the uncontrollable mania of the insane tyrant?

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Plot Keywords:

unsimulated sex | caligula | orgy | sex party | hedonism | 

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Taglines:

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

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Genres:

Drama | History

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Certificate:

Unrated

Did You Know?

Trivia

Contrary to popular belief, the infamous three hour and thirty minute pre-release version of the movie never existed. The mix-up came from an erroneous movie program printed for the first public screening of this movie at the Cannes Trade Festival (not to be confused with the Cannes Film Festival that occurs around the same time of the year) that stated that the entirety of the "Caligula Screening" runs three hours and thirty minutes. What it forgot to say, however, was that the movie (in its two hour and thirty-six minute edition) and the one hour making-of featurette were shown back to back that night, thus creating the three and a half hour running time.

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Goofs

Nerva is shown killing himself in the year 37 AD. However, he died circa 33 AD.

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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.

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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.

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Alternate Versions

The German VHS and DVD-release by Eurovideo has been cut by about 8 minutes.

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Connections

Referenced in Gett Off (1991)

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Soundtracks

Zolushka
(Cinderella) (uncredited)
Written by Sergei Prokofiev
Conducted by Bruno Nicolai

User Reviews

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

Details

Country:

Italy USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 February 1980 (USA)

Also Known As:

Caligula

Filming Locations:

Dear Studios, Rome, Lazio, Italy

Box Office

Budget:

$17,500,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Penthouse Films International, Felix Cinematografica

Technical Specs

Runtime:

156 min 102 min (R-rated) 123 min (recut) 148 min (re-release) 115 min (original)

Sound Mix:

Mono (original release)

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1