Caligula (Three-Disc Imperial Edition)
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Movie Reviews of Caligula (Three-Disc Imperial Edition)
Movie Review: Caligula reassessed
Summary: 5 Stars
It's nearly 30 years since Caligula was released onto an expectant, or is it more correct to say an unexpectant, global cinema audience. And they were not to be disappointed. Stage and cinema royalty including Sir Peter O'Toole, Sir John Gielgud and Dame Helen Mirren (only Gielgud was knighted at the time) joined Malcolm McDowell and a collection of Italian and European actors in an orgy of violence and sex which included graphic XXX pornography taken directly from the pages of Seutonius' chapter on Caligula in the second century book The Twelve Caesars.
This marvellous 3 disc DVD set contains fascinating documentaries featuring extensive interviews with producer Bob Guccione and writer Gore Vidal shot at the time of production. The full uncut 156 minute version features on the first disc. The second disc has a shorter version which has wonderful commentary tracks by Mirren and McDowell. Alas, the 200 plus minute Guccione edited version, which was rumoured to have been shown to preview audiences in Italy, is not included in this set and in fact may no longer exist.
It is now well known that the film that Vidal wrote and Director Tinto Brass shot are not what was finally released after Guccione took control of the editing and shut Brass out of the production. To bridge huge continuity gaps Guccione and his editors extensively used out-takes and rehearsal footage rescued from rubbish bins. The documentary material provides fascinating information about what might have been a masterpiece had Brass been allowed to edit the film he shot and do pick up shots, retakes and the shooting of much needed new scenes which would become self evident in the editing stage.
Thanks to the documentary material, we get to fully appreciate the incredible production design, the magnitude and details of the various sets and the beautiful costumes made by Production Designer Danilo Donati and his team. This is not always evident in the finished film.
There is a wonderful interview with the very erudite John Steiner, a British actor who built a short but spectacular career in Italian exploitation films in the 1970s. Steiner shaved his head to play the slimey Longinus character. Now a real estate agent in England, Steiner's witty comments about the making of the film are worth the price of the DVD set alone.
As time goes by Caligula will continue to be restudied and reassessed. No doubt it will gain in stature but unlike the other Caligula film of cinema legend, the `lost' 1937 I Claudius featuring Charles Laughton as Claudius and Emlyn Williams as Caligula, we have ample material to study and assess thanks to this excellent DVD collection.
Movie Review: Stay away.
Summary: 1 Stars
This movie doesn't even qualify as a good "bad" movie. It is totally joyless. The "sex" scenes are turn-offs. Everything was done poorly.
Please don't waste your time.
Movie Review: Hang the Editor
Summary: 2 Stars
I previously watched Calligula back in the 80's and was so impressed and moved with the movie, I wanted to see it again. Unfortunately, I purchased the DVD from Amazon.com believing it to be UNRATED but found it to be rated PG. Nothing like I remember. Even the scenes I remembered were removed. Refund Please.Movie Review: Ignore the close minded...
Summary: 5 Stars
This is an amazing movie. There is nothing like it and I doubt there ever will be. It is pure entertainment from start to finish and yes, it has pornographic scenes. Guess what. So does life. Especially if that life is taking place in ancient Rome, a time and place known for excess and indulgence. The cast is spectacular, the sets monumental (be sure to watch the special features) and the script chock full of quotable lines.
This movie has been bashed since day one, but if you watch this with an open mind and a yearning for big screen style entertainment, you won't be disappointed.
Movie Review: Sex, Sex, Sex & More Sex!
Summary: 2 Stars
In every scene there is sex! This a movie without a plot, without a logical string. It a movie??? that tries to portrait the crazy life of Caligula. The movie is a portrait of total madness and inhumane attitudes a God-King or King-God. As a fan of the historic period, not one of my favorites but a must be seen. Is up to you if you want to see it! You have been warned!