Caligula, the movie

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08-30-2005, 02:02
poirot

Caligula, the movie

Note: If you are under 21, please stay away from this thread!

I recently rented a uncut version of the 1979 Caligula movie. What a blast! I enjoyed it very very well.

what do you get when you mix history with penthouse? Caligula!

I think that if the overly redundant sexual scenes (I enjoyed them, but they are very very controversial) are cut, it has the mold of a very educational historical film. Granted, the costumes of the Romans were not as accurate as Gladiator, but we do get a sense of the distasteful debauchery exhibited by those ungodly pagans!

I would love to hear opinions from those who have had the pleasure/displeasure of seeing the film!

I in no way condone any of the things shown in the film; however, I have to commend the filmmakers for taking a bold step to places few others have gone before. This is bold, and beautiful from a certain artistic point of view. Nowadays, few mainstream films dare to go all the way. Pornography is boring trash, and mainstream films are tame and overly predictable in every aspect.

I would love the film industry to make more bold, sleazy films with a strong, interesting historical plot. I think movies about Ancient Egyptian priestesses, or Venetian brothels in the 17th century would be a plus!

I would love to hear any recommendations for good, sleazy, exciting, adventurous, historical movies that are available for rent on DVD.
08-30-2005, 02:22
Byzantine Prince

Re: Caligula, the movie

Hm. I watched this movie when I was 15, it was one of the best I've seen. After that I watched Salon Kitty. Another hardcore historical movie by the same director.

Frankly some of the scenes were pretty painful to see and the editing was a little convulsive. Overall it was watchable and gratifying but also very straining on one's nerves.
08-30-2005, 02:25
Beirut

Re: Caligula, the movie

Quote:

Originally Posted by poirot

Note: If you are under 21, please stay away from this thread!

Oh yeah, that's going to work eh?

Quote:

Originally Posted by poirot

Pornography is boring trash.

Excuse me? Porn is wonderful gift from the Heaven's above. Well, good porn is anyway.

Anyway... I loved Galigula. I thought it was well done from every angle. Hunter Thompson called it the best political movie ever made and I agree.

The sex and violence were perfectly in place for a film about that time period. Or any time period for that matter. It showed how sex and violence and power are intertwined and are fundamental symbiotic.

Great flic.
08-30-2005, 13:03
Puzz3D

Re: Caligula, the movie

I think the R rated version might be better. The X rated scenes were like watching a different movie with different actors cut into the main movie.
08-30-2005, 16:23
Spino

Re: Caligula, the movie

Quote:

Originally Posted by Puzz3D

I think the R rated version might be better. The X rated scenes were like watching a different movie with different actors cut into the main movie.

Funny you should mention that because the R rated version was the one the main actors thought would ultimately be released in theaters! After principle photography wrapped Penthouse founder and executive producer Bob Guccione began shooting the X rated scenes he intended to put in the movie from the beginning. Had O'Toole, MacDowell and Gielgud known about Guccione's X rated intentions they would have never done the film! Ok, maybe never is a bit too strong a word because according to Malcolm MacDowell John Gielgud had seen a screening of Caligula before the other actors and was utterly shocked and thrilled at sight of all the explicit hetero/homosexual sex scenes Guccione edited in. Gielgud was a dirty old queen to the end!