1 of 5 | Malcolm McDowell and Helen Mirren star in “Caligula.” Photo courtesy of Vitagraph Films
LOS ANGELES, Sept. 30 (UPI) — Caligula: The Ultimate Cut, which premiered at Beyond Fest in Los Angeles, is a film that defies critics of the original. However, fans of the infamous Penthouse production will delight in the increased debauchery and a more focused narrative.
The movie chronicles the rise and fall of Roman Emperor Caligula, portrayed by Malcolm McDowell. The excesses and delights of the Roman empire are illustrated through the sensuality that Penthouse magazine was known for.
However, producer Bob Guccione wrested control of the film from director Tinto Brass and added explicit sexual content to the orgy scenes. The Ultimate Cut consists entirely of alternate takes and previously unseen footage, without any of Guccione’s additions.
Nevertheless, the essence of the story remains intact. Caligula’s predecessor, Cesar Tiberius, already indulged in a harem of sex slaves who catered to his every whim.
Regardless of the version chosen, the background is filled with naked actors engaging in simulated sex acts. Some sexual acts are merely hinted at through shadows.
Once Caligula assumes power, he revels in his abusive authority while disregarding the actual responsibilities of his position.
While some absurdity is inherent in the decadence of the storyline, it aligns perfectly with the context of an epic narrative.
Caligula dances and prances around, turning his palace into a Slip N Slide while it rains. With his short kilt, McDowell inadvertently exposes himself to the camera with every turn.
This version of the film retains its most memorable scenes, such as the execution by decapitation machine and the assault on newlyweds Proculus and Livia.
The last hour of the film is restored for the first time, allowing Caligula’s mad obsession to unfold to its inevitable climax.
McDowell beautifully portrays the megalomania of Caligula through his dramatic proclamations, like “If only all Rome had just one neck,” as he declares himself a god.
Helen Mirren’s role as Caligula’s wife, Caesonia, is also restored in this version. Surprisingly, considering the softcore sex scenes shared with McDowell, Guccione had initially omitted erotic content involving his lead actors.
Caligula is a film that never bores its audience. However, at over three hours long, it can be exhausting. Perhaps trimming the film’s running time would have made it more manageable. Nevertheless, Caligula is destined to be excessive in nature.
The only excess that feels out of place is the decision to start the film with an excessive number of title cards explaining the circumstances of its production. This overload of information at the beginning of a film is unnecessary.
This version of the film should simply be presented for viewers to discover or for fans to explore further before or after watching the film.
Despite Guccione’s interference being absent, this edition of Caligula still offers an abundance of orgies and taboo content. The film will never be tamed, even without the hardcore sex scenes added by Guccione.
Fred Topel, an entertainment writer based in Los Angeles, attended film school at Ithaca College. He has been a professional film critic since 1999, a Rotten Tomatoes critic since 2001, and a member of the Television Critics Association since 2012 and the Critics Choice Association since 2023. You can read more of his work in Entertainment.
