Badmovies.org Forum

Saw this on digitalbits.com (http://digitalbits.com).



How this "movie" deserves a 4 disc edition is beyond me, but I'm most surprised that they actually got Macolm McDowell to sit down to do a commentary track when he has publicly disowned this movie for years.

How? I don't know but Tinto Brass as made some pretty interesting movies, namely Salon Kitty, Senso'45, La Chiave and Miranda to name a few. His two collections are entertaining if in no other way than the sheer amount of flesh exposed, but there are some good films there too. (and a couple of bad ones)
Admittedly Caligula wasn't that great of a movie or one of Tinto Brass's better efforts, it was more experimental I believe and the cinematography was lacking and the camera work was weak, the story was well told and the acting not have bad as I remember it, and it's been a few years since I've seen it so I'm a little foggy on the film.  I  believe the biggest problem with Caligula was Bob Guccione attempt to be a film director, which he's not and some of Guccione rewrite in the 1984 release. He needs to stick to peddling Penthouse and not making movies.
I'll likely pick up a copy of the 4 disc set if for no other reason to see the complete restored and extended pre-release version of the film.

:thumbup: :thumbup:  Actually, I'd rank Caligula among cinema's most important films.  While it is irrefutably complete and utter s**t, risqué titles like this helped dissolve the taboos plaguing the more mainstream cinematic avenues.  Truly.  Classic pornography paved the way for intelligent, adult-themed opuses like Henry & June and The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover.  Because of smut moguls like Bob Guccione, directors today have the freedom (well, funding issues aside) to tell any manner of story they wish.

And as for Malcolm McDowell humbling himself for the commentary:  What exactly has he done in recent memory?  I mean, other than Tank Girl?  :teddyr:

Excellent movie! :thumbup: Slightly bazaar but a great movie.

I saw Caligula in college and it was truly a nasty film.  Then I read about the Emperor Caligula and realized . . . . he was truly a nasty guy.  The Julio-Claudians produced some real winners there as the dynasty entered its waning years . . .

Considering the original film elements were reputedly destroyed by Guccione in a fit of pique and the mythic Cannes version has never been seen by anyone since it made it's rumored debut I am curious about what that "pre-release version containing more never-before-seen footage" is supposed to be.  Rumour elsewhere has it it's just a re-edit of the "unrated theatrical cut" made especially for this release.  Anyone in the know here care to shed some light on this?

Whatever it turns out to be it can't possibly look any worse than what Penthouse released.  That transfer was hideous.

That film has one of the most delightfully revolting endings ever.

I think we should give it away for those that haven't seen it yet! :buggedout:

I have this unopened Region 1 on DVD and I'm tempted to sell it seeing used R1 bring $60-$70-$80+ on ebay.
edit: WOW! On Amazon NEW R1's are asking $225 and up.

The first time I saw CALIGULA was at the drive-in and it was the R-rated version.  In addition to being pure crap, almost all of the sex and a good portion of the violence was missing.

A few years ago I bought the uncut DVD and discovered that it is quite different from the R-rated version.  It's still crap, but at least it has sex and violence!

As for a 4-disc set, I don't think it's necessary.  I'll stick with the single disc.

I've seen parts of it.  I'm quite low brow and love sex and violence in films.  I will be getting this when it comes out. 

Apparently Guccione had to smuggle the movie out of France when shooting was finished.  He was shooting the porn scenes behind the back of the director, which is a no no in France -- even though Bob was the producer.  I only have the dirty version on VHS, may have to pick up this copy, depending upon the price.