Review of Caligula (1979) by Ed Fucking H — 25 Dec 2011

An introduction to this film is irrelevent, as it reputation should precede it to most people. I saw the unedited version (the only one I would entertain sitting through) and have to say I was very impressed by what the film was overall, if a little disappointed by continuity issues, problems that arose due to various egos feuding throughout the films production.

Ultimately a great character study dealing with themes of power, corruption, madness and perversion. It was nice seeing a movie that didn't tone down the sexual extravagances of the Roman empire, but even went so far as to exploit them, and make them the centerpoint for a costume epic.

Malcolm McDowell was great as Calugula, and was supported by Peter O'Toole, John Gielgud, Paolo Bonacelli and various other well known and respeted actors. The problems with this movie arise from it's controversy,b oth during production and afterwards.

First Gore Vidal contacted Penthouse magazine to produce the movie, who brought in Tinto Brass, most well known for his work in erotic and softcore cinema, but probably brought in because of his film Salon Kitty, a similar style Historical Epic focusing on perverse and violent acts of those in places of power.

Gore Vidal quickly begins feuding with Tinto Brass, saying he's making the movie differently than his script had initially intended. Brass kicks Vidal off the set claiming that he was megalomaniac and control freak.

Makes sense considering his work was done and Brass's had just begun. Then Penthouse Magazine gets into it with Brass, saying he was going way over budget. They eventually fire him, taking over themselves, apparently inecting more sex scenes into the film.

Several cuts have been made with the Uncut version typically regarded as the most complete. I am surprised by how cohesive the film is as a whole given all of the infighting taking place throughout it's production, and then the censors got to have their way with it.

Still though, there are some pretty serious issues with continuity and storytelling, probably due to the fact that this film switched so many hands in it's being made, all with different visions, and different ideas of what was important.

Still an important film, especially for fans of the excessive and extreme. A historical epic like no other, which actually does stick pretty close to the facts for better or worse. And yeah like I said, refreshing seeing a movie not avoid the sexual excesses of the Roman Empire (Hetero or otherwise) for better or worse.

A must see, if badly flawed film.