Caligula????

I have always been curious about this movie. I've heard that it is pretty much just a porno, and it doesn't have a very high rating on imdb. But I was wondering if the rating is so low because a lot of people are prudish or disapprove of the explicit sex or if it is actually just plain a bad movie. Is it worth my time? Is there anything to like about it? Is there any draw or appeal to this movie other than the fact that it's controversial?

It's creepy... It's like a late 70's slightly disco/New Age-view of Rome. With some nudity and sex.

If you want to be repelled I'd watch it. It's a classic in that sense.

I saw it decades ago - but I have to admit there are some scenes that have stayed with me.

If you are old enough - I would view it. (I always suspected to be a form of dark comedy).

;)

It was produced by Paul Guccioni (owner of Penthouse magazine) and all the hard core porn was edited in after the main film was finished..although the version available to rent/buy has has most of the explicit sex scenes edited out again.

It's worth the cost of a rental at least (if you're that curious about it)for Malcolm McDowell's star turn as Caligula..but it's not a brilliant film overall..

McDowell's excellent, and so is Helen Mirren. Peter O'Toole's over the top, down the other side, over the hills and far away as Tiberius. Some of the political satire of Gore Vidal's original concept still gets through, but not much. Another of those films that might have been. OK for when the pubs have shut, but not to be taken seriously.

Well, I just added it to my queue..........at position 465. Which means I might watch it in 2012.

By then, having aged like fine wine, it will be considered a classic :D

By then, having aged like fine wine...

...it should be left in a dark cellar?

...it should be left in a dark cellar?

Maybe it'll have turned to vinegar.

A hearty yes to both of the above.

Well, my curiosity got the best of me and I watched this today. Here is my generous review.


Caligula/1979/Tinto Brass
This movie is one of the most controversial movies ever made. Based on a screenplay by Gore Vidal, it chronicles the reign of Caligula (played by Malcom McDowell of Clockwork Orange fame), who was Caesar of the Roman Empire after Tiberius and before Claudius. The cast also includes great actors Peter O'Toole and Helen Mirren. I don't know what possessed me to watch the entire thing because it is pure filth. This movie was basically a porno with good actors and a decent plot. It is actually rated X. There is a massive orgy in nearly every scene. Everything is fair game in these orgies...men, women, transexuals, midgets, disgustingly deformed people. I never thought I would see men sucking ****. Now I can officially say I've seen gay porn. Some of the sex scenes and orgies have little or nothing to do with the plot or the goings on of the film. This is all an attempt to show how vulgar the Roman Empire was at this time. Besides sex, there is tons of violence. People buried up to their necks and then their heads chopped of by a huge mechanical apparatus. One thing the movie does a good job of is showing how psychotic Caligula really was. He and his sister were in love and had sex all the time. He was paranoid and had many men killed for treason at any small whim. He was delusional. He truly believed he was a god. Although this movie is really only worth a 1 or a 2 rating, you still have to respect the fact that someone even had the balls to make it. Therefore, for the filmmakers' audacity, I give it a 5 out of 10.

There is a massive orgy in nearly every scene. Everything is fair game in these orgies...men, women, transexuals, midgets, disgustingly deformed people. I never thought I would see men sucking ****. Now I can officially say I've seen gay porn

Don't remember any of that from the cut I watched. (Hmmm, am I complaining or heaving a sigh of relief?)

men, women, transexuals, midgets, disgustingly deformed people.


Sounds like Tinto Brass' 'Salon Kitty' all over again! :eek:

Nurse!!! The screens!

Sounds like Tinto Brass' 'Salon Kitty' all over again! :eek:

Nurse!!! The screens!

Favourite quote from Salon K: after pounding the mattress enthusiastically with a young Wehrmacht officer, the lady of ill repute asks him, "Have you been at the Front?"

Favourite quote from Salon K: after pounding the mattress enthusiastically with a young Wehrmacht officer, the lady of ill repute asks him, "Have you been at the Front?"


I remember seeing Salon Kitty in some low key indie cinema in the west end back in '76 as a plooky youth of 17...Not that I'm praising Nazism or anything but some of the costumes in that were amazing..I recall Helmut Berger's long red and black, fur lined, swastika emblazoned dressing gown

This little number is pretty cool as well...(minus the swastikas of course)
http://einestages.spiegel.de/hund-images/2008/08/22/25/d18d64c07ab32d4b06c2f7cf02e8ec43_image_document_large_featured_borderless.jpg