Review of Caligula (1979) by Daniel K — 26 Nov 2008

Well, right off the bat this film definitely announces (courtesy the breast, buttocks, and female genitalia) that it is most definitely not Ben-Hur or anything like it. The fact that it is released by Penthouse Films International should probably give the viewer a hint of what is to come as well.

I obviously had read and heard a bit about what this film might contain, in terms of controversial material, but I was not in the least prepared for what the film actually contains. It is without a doubt the most sexually explicit film I have ever seen (the only I can really compare it to is The Exterminating Angels as even films like The Story of O are incredibly tame in comparison), apart from what is commonly accepted to be pornography.

There are numerous scenes in this that are no different from hard-core pornography. I could really hardly believe what I was seeing throughout much of the film. I love the romantic arrangements played over the numerous scenes in which Caligula and his sister profess their love for one another.

It's a nice touch. The machine used to cut off the heads of people buried up to their necks in earth is pretty elaborate as well. That would certainly be a horrible way to die. This is certainly a film that stretches the boundaries of what can be called commercial filmmaking.

It definitely passes into what I would say much of humanity would call the most vile and disgusting of territories imaginable in a film, especially one in which the likes of Peter O'Toole, Malcolm McDowell, and Helen Mirren appear.

This would have been interesting to read about at the time of its release and to have seen in a theater. I can't imagine it played in many in the unedited and uncensored form in which I've seen it.

I'm curious how the script reads and what exactly these actors and actresses thought of the film in which they were appearing. I also wonder what Caligula's reign was actually like as well. I suspect it was somewhere in between the Rome portrayed in Charlton Heston epics and this.

One thing one can't accuse Caligula of being is an astute politician, at least if this films narrative bears any resemblance to reality. I'm finding it a bit difficult to pin down how exactly I feel about the film.

This is one I'll have to see again and think about for some time. It was nothing if not attention grabbing and it kept my attention throughout. I was certainly invested in the characters and the narrative.

I understand why many might hate it and I don't plan on recommending it to many friends and family, but I'm quite happy I've seen it even if all of it isn't exactly enjoyable. If anything, I suspect my regard for the film will grow with repeated viewings.

It was a little hard to accept this as a regular film and not as pornography. I will certainly be more prepared for it next time.