As a film enthusiast who’s spent countless hours delving into the annals of cinema history, I must say that the saga of Caligula has always intrigued me. The movie’s turbulent journey through censorship and controversy is a testament to the power of art and its ability to provoke and challenge societal norms.
Competing with “Salo” for the title of the most contentious historical movie ever made, Tinto Brass’ uncensored 1979 film “Caligula,” previously rated X, has been restored and can now be viewed on “Max.” Co-written by Brass and Gore Vidal, “Caligula” has earned a notorious status as one of the most graphic portrayals of sexual depravity, unrestrained indulgence, and sheer madness.
It’s important to clarify the distinctions between the theatrical release and the recently restored director’s cut of the film Caligula. Interestingly, the newly released version has garnered more positive reception compared to its initial 1979 debut.
What Is Caligula About?
Under the direction of Italian filmmaker Tinto Brass, who collaborated with American author Gore Vidal on the screenplay, Caligula is a provocative historical biopic portraying the life and degradation of Emperor Caligula (Malcolm McDowell), who succeeded his great-uncle Tiberius (Peter O’Toole). The film explores how witnessing Tiberius’ unconventional sexual desires influences Caligula, leading him down a path of debauchery and decadence. As Caligula is both repulsed and intrigued by Tiberius’ immoral acts, such as swimming with naked young people, attending bestiality performances, and engaging in other shocking perversions, his mind becomes increasingly corrupted.
The tension grows as Tiberius attempts to poison Caligula to keep the throne. However, Caligula retaliates and plots against his uncle, ultimately resulting in their friend and ally, Marco (Guido Mannari), accidentally killing Tiberius instead. With this new authority, Caligula defies the Roman Senate by selecting a personal cabinet composed of allies and servants, thereby increasing his stronghold on power.
Instead of taking caution from Tiberius’ errors, Caligula intensifies the immorality, extravagance, and passionate fixations he observed during his uncle’s reign. In this controversial historical account, acts such as rape, sodomy, incest, and other shocking incidents occur.
It’s clear that the controversial status of Caligula as a movie is well-deserved, given its explicit and offensive content. Most people involved in its production have distanced themselves from it, and it was even banned in America following attempts to import it.
Roger Ebert’s Initial Reaction to Caligula
The late great Roger Ebert did more than most to popularize American film theory and criticism from the late 1960s until his demise in 2013. He often championed bold, daring, original movies, regardless of their financial resources. For instance, Ebert awarded Todd Solondz’s incredibly dark and highly problematic 1998 movie Happiness 4/4 stars, highlighting the artistic merit above the content.
Nevertheless, Ebert identified no commendable aspects in Caligula, penning one of his harshest critical assessments. As per his zero-star critique, the film failed to meet any standard of quality.
Leaving the theater, I was both appalled and disheartened, having endured a full two hours of this movie’s 170-minute duration. “Caligula,” to me, is an abysmal production, devoid of any worth or value. It’s hard to believe that such a film exists, especially considering the talents involved in its creation.
In the two-hour movie I watched, there wasn’t a single moment of happiness, delight, or uplifting sensory experience. Instead, it delved deeply into disturbing and depressing imagery.
It’s quite ironic that Roger Ebert seems to stand on a moral pedestal, given his past involvement. He collaborated with Russ Meyer on the screenplay for the 1970 adult-themed film “Beyond the Valley of the Dolls“. This movie, like many other NC-17 rated films, is known for its explicit sexual scenes. Although it might have more instances of delight, genuine pleasure, and sensual exuberance than “Caligula“, it’s clear that Ebert has a history of such content. Therefore, it’s plausible to assume that he found “Caligula” offensive, despite his own past involvement in similar productions.
Caligula’s History of Censorship
As a passionate cinephile, I find myself compelled to delve into the intricacies of the recently unveiled Caligula Ultimate Cut. To provide a comprehensive comparison, let’s first glance at the legal landscape that has shaped this film’s journey.
Despite a failed lawsuit by the anti-pornography group Morality in Media, the original, uncensored version of “Caligula” remains banned in countries like Canada and Iceland. This ban was also enforced in Australia until 2021. In the United States, screenings of the film faced challenges in various states, including Boston, Atlanta, Ohio, and Wisconsin. Following producer Bob Guccione’s insertion of several minutes of explicit sex scenes, the movie found itself embroiled in further legal issues as directors Tinto Brass and Pete Walker distanced themselves from the project.
In 1981, actress Anneka Di Lorenzo (known for her role as Messalina) filed a lawsuit against Guccione alleging sexual harassment. She was initially awarded $4 million in damages for punitive reasons, but this decision was later overturned on appeal and she received nothing. Given the series of controversies surrounding its production, it’s no surprise that those involved with Caligula wanted to distance themselves from the movie. However, the 2023 Cannes Film Festival saw the premier of a newly restored print of Caligula, overseen by Malcolm McDowell, which has since received positive reappraisals.
Key Differences Highlighted in Caligula’s Uncut Version
The 178-minute extended version of “Caligula,” known as the “Caligula Ultimate Cut,” was premiered at Cannes Film Festival in 2023, with an additional 22 minutes added back from its original release. This restored version, now accessible on Max streaming platform, includes previously unseen footage and has been overseen by producer Thomas Negovan and star Malcolm McDowell. As per McDowell’s Instagram post, “Thanks to the exceptional work of Thomas Negovan, after 47 years, one of my finest performances can now be seen!
After its debut at Cannes, Alamo Drafthouse obtained the rights for the extended version of “Caligula,” known as the “Ultimate Cut.” Their aim was to present the film in movie theaters in August 2024, followed by a new 4K UHD Blu-ray release. Several previously omitted scenes from the original DVD edition were incorporated into the “Ultimate Cut.” The sequences have been correctly rearranged, making the narrative more coherent and straightforward to understand. Furthermore, alternate shots and takes were swapped out within the “Ultimate Cut.
In the enhanced version, some intense sexual scenes and the violent killing of a pivotal character have been included again. Notably, the initial dream sequence featuring Caligula has been revised to show him dreaming about an ominous black bird before waking up with concerns about his own life being taken. Additionally, a significant part concerning Proculus’ (Donato Placido) destiny has been rearranged for better story flow.
Besides fresh music tunes, additional scenes in the Ultimate Version depict Caligula appointing Incitatus as Consul and paying visits to various Roman deity statues for contemplation on his destiny. However, Brass is considering taking legal action against the Ultimate Version. Yet, the editorial decisions have earned critical acclaim. The Caligula Ultimate Version, currently rated at 65% on Rotten Tomatoes, has received praise with the general consensus being:
Finally bringing back the original version of ‘Caligula’, this fresh edit doesn’t make it a masterpiece, but it certainly supports and validates its artistic intent.
Although it may lack taste and be sensational with a controversial theme, viewers can now experience the original, uncensored version of the film “Caligula” as intended 45 years ago. Stream “Caligula: The Uncut Version” on Max.
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2024-11-04 03:31