Caligula (1979)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Matthew R

  
  Okay, this was a hard one for me to review, but actually, shockingly so, not that hard to watch considering the filth that is the film's contents. All right, the cinematography is a weird mixture of cheap and well-executed shots. And knowing the turbulent history surrounding the… More
  Okay, this was a hard one for me to review, but actually, shockingly so, not that hard to watch considering the filth that is the film's contents. All right, the cinematography is a weird mixture of cheap and well-executed shots. And knowing the turbulent history surrounding the production of the film, I was able to bypass it for the most part. The editing was shoddy and too fragmented, mostly filling scenes that probably would have been better if kept short, with random jump cuts to penis and vagina taking up most of the frame. The pornographic footage was completely unnecessary and actually, much of it was insanely cruel for really no reason at all (i.e. Caligula's hallucinations, the notorious fisting scene). The direction was beyond messed up. The reason being that the project's original director Tinto Brass was booted off the project and the film's producer, Penthouse founder Bob Guccione, took over filming extra scenes and shots of hardcore porn and tearing the original work print to pieces, actually cutting out over an hour of footage originally in the film. This is on top of his major insistence for tumultuous amounts of sex and nudity in the film at the get-go. The acting, considering the bizarre and fragmented script, was actually really good for the most part in my opinion. With Grade-A actors like Malcolm McDowell, Helen Mirren, Paolo Bonacelli, John Gielgud and above all, Peter O'Toole. I do believe if this project had kept the original screenplay by writing legend Gore Vidal, and Tinto Brass was not forced to accommodate Guccione's requests, I have a feeling this could have turned out to be a good movie, but sadly, this is a high-priced skin flick with some good elements and some disgusting sadomasochistic violence.

• Keiko A

  
  Now i Believe for a fact is that my dad saw Caligula when it first opened here about 1981, And despite it he really didn't think much of the film like many... He only regreated stadning in those long lines to see this Box Office and record breaking film. But like many the… More
  Now i Believe for a fact is that my dad saw Caligula when it first opened here about 1981, And despite it he really didn't think much of the film like many... He only regreated stadning in those long lines to see this Box Office and record breaking film. But like many the only question he did ask was "Is it really true?" "Is this the most accurate prediction of Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus Germanicus"? Or is it really nothing but Hard-Core porn. And i would like to know how many of you that are reading this saw it when it first played?

• AJ V

  
  An all star cast works with what they're given in this movie that tells the story of Rome's worst leader, Caligula. I wouldn't recommend watching this movie unless you are either a huge fan of the actors or like sexually controversial movies. There are some… More
  An all star cast works with what they're given in this movie that tells the story of Rome's worst leader, Caligula. I wouldn't recommend watching this movie unless you are either a huge fan of the actors or like sexually controversial movies. There are some interesting stories surrounding this one too. Overall, though, the movie itself isn't all that great, not bad, but it really could have been better.

• Cassandra M

  
  This review is for the unrated version of this magnifecent film. Before Rome. Before Gladiator. The most controversial film of all time as you've never experienced it before! Combining lavish spectacle and top award-winning stars, this landmark production is now presented in a… More
  This review is for the unrated version of this magnifecent film. Before Rome. Before Gladiator. The most controversial film of all time as you've never experienced it before! Combining lavish spectacle and top award-winning stars, this landmark production is now presented in a beautiful new hig-definition transfer from recently uncovered negative elements. From the moment he ascends to the throne as Emperor, Caligula (A clockwork Orange's Malcolm McDowell) enforces a reign like no other as power and corruption transform him into a deranged beast whose deeds still live on as some of the most depraved in history. Also starring Peter O'Toole (Lawrence of Arabia and Academy Award winners Helen Mirren (The Queen) and John Gielgud (Arthur), this unflinching look at the decandence of Ancient Rome shall startle and amaze you like no other film ever made. This is actually a pretty good film. Perhaps the intense nudity and graphic-ness was not likeable but the movie was very closely tied to the facts and history of Caligula himself. You don't see many movies that actually stick with the facts instead of making it 'Hollywood.' I reccommend this to people who "know" about Caligula in advance so that they know what their seeing instead of going into the film not having a clue what its about. I don't think they could've made the movie any better that relates to Caligula- he was a psychopath and it showed in this movie. Tons of great scenes, and it showed what the "real" Rome was like. Brutal and harsh and misgiving.

• Anthony L

  
  The only Tinto Brass film you can watch with your girlfriend! It's a bit rude but very entertaining, it's a classic and McDowell is brilliant! It's art innit! ;o)

• Ping C

  
  I would say that there are scenes in this movie that are 'good'. But not good for the right reasons. Despite a strong cast (including Dame Helen Mirren!) this movie bites. Thanks Bob Gucionne!

• Ken S

  
  Completely ridiculous. The only thing that surprised me was that he DIDN'T fuck his dead sister. Yea this movie is sick. Sick like Malcolm McDowell fists a dude. Yea, on the guys wedding night no less (after deflowering the bride to be of course) I can't believe this… More
  Completely ridiculous. The only thing that surprised me was that he DIDN'T fuck his dead sister. Yea this movie is sick. Sick like Malcolm McDowell fists a dude. Yea, on the guys wedding night no less (after deflowering the bride to be of course) I can't believe this movie exists.

• Michael G

  
  Straight up nonsense. The talent featured (at least O'Toole and Gielgud had the smarts to get knocked off in the first 45 minutes) is the only thing implying an air of respectability about this movie. I'm no prude but there was way too much sex (McDowell goes down on his… More
  Straight up nonsense. The talent featured (at least O'Toole and Gielgud had the smarts to get knocked off in the first 45 minutes) is the only thing implying an air of respectability about this movie. I'm no prude but there was way too much sex (McDowell goes down on his dead sister) here bleeding the pointless plot dry and too much plot to make it a porno--despite Penthouse sticking their name on this one. This movie was intended only to shock and awe and that's all about it succeeds in once it finally shows mercy with an ending it took too long to get to.

• Curtis L

  
  Boring. It was only watchable because I am interested in Romans, but it tried to hard to be controversial.

• Michael S

  
  One of the worst films I've seen. A discusting, ugly, revolting, cringe-inducing and completely pointless piece of junk. How anyone can like this... I do not know. It floors me how the likes of Peter O'toole and Helen Mirren ended up in this garbage.

• jay n

  
  junk

• Steve K

  
  A porno with a plot and talent. Too long, but an interesting curio.

• Steve B

  
  I don't know how to rate this: as a straight feature, all the porn gets in the way, and as a porn flick, all the story and dialog get in the way.

• Sylvester K

  
  Caligula is certainly an interesting film to watch due to the sensitive contents, but it was very disturbing as there are too many scenes of sex, gore, obnoxious imageries.

• Ed Fucking H

  
  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,… More
  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.

• Dimitris S

  
  Of course it's a porn flick,undercover in an "almost" real storyline,historically designated and we all know Tinto Brass is but a mediocre naturalist.It surpasses paradoxically Emmanuella since it does not always contain a mere passion to third party caresses.What am I… More
  Of course it's a porn flick,undercover in an "almost" real storyline,historically designated and we all know Tinto Brass is but a mediocre naturalist.It surpasses paradoxically Emmanuella since it does not always contain a mere passion to third party caresses.What am I talking here?If it weren't for MacDowell's splendid portrayal,it would be a bitter Turkish delight. Well....bitter is one word and trash fun is another!

• Eduardo C

  
  A bizarre hodgepodge of "history", myth, pornography, libel and (strangest of all) some elements from Camus' homogenous play. Unsuccessful as art, erotic titillation, exploitation or pretty much anything else but oddly watchable.

• Sunil J

  
  Somehow this movie makes orgies kinda boring.

• Christopher B

  
  AKA: Little Boots Forget the edited version, the only reason this is on Flixster is because they won't put on XXX features. This film is truly one of the most awe inspiring failures I've ever seen. I finally got the 3 disc special edition DVD, and I have a sense that the… More
  AKA: Little Boots Forget the edited version, the only reason this is on Flixster is because they won't put on XXX features. This film is truly one of the most awe inspiring failures I've ever seen. I finally got the 3 disc special edition DVD, and I have a sense that the explainations are going to be just as entertaining as this strange film. Just horrid filmmaking, from the high school play lighting to the stinted performances alongside the over the top. A great example of the amateurish filmmaking is the scene where Caligula's sister dies and the music mounts and McDowell starts to act away, and we stay on a shitty wide shot while the music swells. A perfect example of terrible editing (by production no less, no editor has ever taken credit). Must see.

Read all 19 featured audience ratings