Caligula (1979) - Turner Classic Movies

Caligula

2h 30m 1979

Brief Synopsis

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The rise and fall of the notorious Roman Emperor Caligula, showing the violent methods that he employs to gain the throne, and the subsequent insanity of his reign - he gives his horse political office and humiliates and executes anyone who even slightly displeases him. He also sleeps with his sister, organises elaborate orgies and embarks on a fruitless invasion of England before meeting an appropriate end. There are various versions of the film, ranging from the heavily- truncated 90-minute version to the legendary 160-minute hardcore version which leaves nothing to the imagination (though the hardcore scenes were inserted later and do not involve the main cast members).

Cast & Crew

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Malcolm Mcdowell

John Gielgud

Paula Mitchell

Bruno Brive

Guido Mannari

Anneka Delorenzo

Film Details

MPAA Rating
Genre
Drama
Erotic
Historical
Release Date
1979
Distribution Company
ANALYSIS FILMS RELEASING CORPORATION/INDEPENDENT ARTISTS FILMED ENTERTAINMENT/LEGACY/LEGACY RELEASIN; Independent Artists Filmed EntertainmentLegacy ReleasingAnalysis Films Releasing Corporation
Location
Rome, Italy

Technical Specs

Duration
2h 30m
Sound
Dolby (re-release: 1999)
Color
Color (Eastmancolor)
Theatrical Aspect Ratio
1.85 : 1

Synopsis

Showing the perversion behind imperial Rome, an epic story that charts the violent life and times of the mad Roman emperor, Caligula. A spectacle of decadence and debauchery, all the details of his cruel, bizarre reign are revealed: his unholy sexual passion for his sister, his marriage to Rome's most notorious prostitute, his fiendishly lavish means of disposing those who would oppose him and more...

Cast

Malcolm Mcdowell

John Gielgud

Paula Mitchell

Bruno Brive

Guido Mannari

Anneka Delorenzo

Helen Mirren

Leopoldo Trieste

Paolo Bonacelli

Giancarlo Badessi

Richard Parets

Donato Placido

Adriana Asti

Peter O'toole

Osiride Pevarello

John Steiner

Lori Wagner

Teresa Ann Savoy

Mirella Dangelo

Crew

Giuseppe Banchelli

Makeup

Nino Baragli

Editor

Giovanni Tinto Brass

Other

Giovanni Tinto Brass

Director Of Photography

Franco Celli

Special Effects

Paul Clemente

Music

Marcello Coccia

Special Effects

Mario Dibiase

Production Manager

Danilo Donati

Art Director

Sergio Galiano

Unit Manager

Bob Guccione

Producer

Bob Guccione

Writer (Dialogue)

Bob Guccione

Photography

Bob Guccione

Screenplay

Gerry Humphreys

Sound

Silvano Ippoliti

Director Of Photography

Aram Khachaturian

Music

Tito Leduc

Choreographer

Giancarlo Lui

Screenplay

Giancarlo Lui

Writer (Dialogue)

Giancarlo Lui

Post-Production Supervisor

Giancarlo Lui

Photography

Claudio Maielli

Sound

Giovanni Natalucci

Other

Robin O'donoghue

Sound

Pino Pennesi

Choreographer

Franco Rossellini

Producer

Winston Ryder

Sound Editor

Jack H Silverman

Executive Producer

Piernico Solinas

Assistant Director

Luigi Urbani

On-Set Dresser

Roger Van Engel

Sound Editor

Franco Velchi

Other

Gore Vidal

Other

Film Details

MPAA Rating
Genre
Drama
Erotic
Historical
Release Date
1979
Distribution Company
ANALYSIS FILMS RELEASING CORPORATION/INDEPENDENT ARTISTS FILMED ENTERTAINMENT/LEGACY/LEGACY RELEASIN; Independent Artists Filmed EntertainmentLegacy ReleasingAnalysis Films Releasing Corporation
Location
Rome, Italy

Technical Specs

Duration
2h 30m
Sound
Dolby (re-release: 1999)
Color
Color (Eastmancolor)
Theatrical Aspect Ratio
1.85 : 1

Quotes

I have existed from the morning of the world and I shall exist until the last star falls from the night. Although I have taken the form of Gaius Caligula, I am all men as I am no man and therefore I am a God.
- Caligula
Let them hate me, so long as they fear me.
- Caligula
Longinus, what is your pleasure?
- Caligula
Everything and nothing Caesar.
- Longinus
I hear you have a taste for little boys.
- Caligula
No Caesar, big boys.
- Chaerea
Give him enough rope...
- Chaerea
...and perhaps, he'll hang us all.
- Longinus

Trivia

Writer Gore Vidal did not want credit for his work.

Peter O'Toole and John Gielgud claimed to have been unaware hardcore sex footage was being shot for the film.

The film took nearly four years to make.

Prior to his hiring of Tinto Brass to direct, Bob Guccione had been in negotiations with John Huston, and then Lina Wertmuller - who wanted to cast Jack Nicholson in the film's starring role.

The stadium spanned the length of three U.S. football fields, and featured a 'headclipper' that was 5 stories high and 150 feet wide.

Miscellaneous Notes

Released in United States 1979

Re-released in United States September 17, 1999 (director's cut; New York City)

Re-released in United States September 24, 1999 (director's cut; Los Angeles)

Released in United States 1979

Re-released in United States September 17, 1999

Re-released in United States September 24, 1999

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