TotalTelly.co.uk

Devoted to Popular, Cult and Retro TV

Caligula [1979] - Uncut Version (REGION 2) (PAL) [Dutch Import]


Our Price: £9.92 (subject to change)

Editorial
Product Description

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). (Written by Michael Brooke)


The most controversial film ever made ?
Review date: 2008-03-25 Rating: 8 out of 10

It's very rare to see a version of Caligula in this country above 90 minutes. This is the complete and uncensored version - a Dutch import, but it plays in English. This version does contain hardcore sex, sometimes carelessly inserted into the finished movie as it was. Young Italian director Tinto Brass's original vision was to be shattered, forcing him to withdraw his name from the movie. Producer Bob Guccione fired Brass for over-filming and running up huge costs from filming beyond what was financially acceptable. Guccione then took control of the film, and assisted by Giancarlo Lui later sneaked back onto the set and shot 6 minutes of hardcore sex which was later edited into the film. Lui re-cut, re-edited and changed parts of Gore Vidal's script to fashion what is possibly the most expensive porn film ever made, which bore little resembalance to Tinto Brass's original vision.

Despite the troubled production, Caligula could be looked at as a masterpiece of cinema, for various reasons. It's a wonder it ever got released at all. Still it maintains its power to shock and repulse - the power of cinema has never been so evident as what it is here. Caligula has beautiful lavish sets, semi-beautiful photography, a stunning classic score, epic orgy scenes, and superb performances from British thespians Malcolm McDowell, Sir John Gielgud, Peter O'Toole and Helen Mirren. McDowell and O'Toole are particularly outstanding in their performances, and none of the 'thesps' take part, or appear in any of the sexually explicit hardcore scenes. Thank goodness.

If you haven't ever watched Caligula and you're not easily offended then subject yourself to this version. If you have seen the film, watch it again because it still remains to be seen, and deserves a place in the 21st Century. We mustn't forget about films like Caligula because despite our repulsion and attitude towards sex and violence, this is human nature, and Caligula probably reflects the happy, and not so happy times when Rome rulled the world.



Similar Products

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
John Steiner
Teresa Ann Savoy
Helen Mirren
Peter O'Toole
Malcolm McDowell

Director(s):

Recording label: Dutch Filmworks
Manufacturer: Dutch Filmworks
Model: 17150DDS02
EAN: 8715664005637
Binding: DVD
Format: PAL,
Number of discs: 1
Audience rating: Suitable for 18 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 149 minutes
Language: English (Original Language)
Language: English (Unknown)
Language: Dutch (Subtitled)
Language: Dutch (Published)
Brand: DFW

Add to Cart

© 2006 Darren Hester, DesignsByDarren.com, Some Rights Reserved.
Valid XHTML 1.0 Transitional