Few movies have stirred as much controversy as 1979's Caligula. Written by Gore Vidal, directed by Tinto Brass and starring
a cast of British acting royalty including
Malcolm McDowell, Helen Mirren, Peter O'Toole and
John Gielgud, it was supposed to be an epic tale of the titular Roman
emperor's descent into madness. When the film's financier, Penthouse founder
Bob Guccione, took over the edit and inserted graphic sex scenes, it
was disowned by the cast and Vidal, who sued to have his name removed.
Using never before seen footage and alternate takes and camera angles,
Caligula: the Ultimate Cut restores something close to Vidal's
original vision. Newly added is a prologue illustrated by graphic artist Dave McKean.
Caligula: The Ultimate Cut is in UK/ROI cinemas from August
9th and US cinemas from August 16th. It will later be released on 4k UHD,
bluray and VOD.
Check out the trailer and poster below.
The official synopsis reads:
Absolute power corrupts in CALIGULA: THE ULTIMATE CUT, an extensive reconstruction of the notorious 1980 spectacle. Shadowed by the murder of his family, Caligula (Malcolm McDowell) eliminates his devious adoptive grandfather (Peter O’Toole) and seizes control of the Roman Empire alongside his wife Caesonia (Helen Mirren) before descending into a spiral of depravity, destruction, and madness.
