Caligula is a controversial historical drama film directed by Tinto Brass and produced by Bob Guccione. The movie is based on the life and reign of the Roman Emperor Gaius Julius Caesar Germanicus, also known as Caligula. It was released in 1979 and starred Malcolm McDowell in the title role.
The film features explicit sexuality, violence, and gore, which generated controversy and led to various censorship and re-edited versions of the movie. It was described as "an orgy of sadism, shocking even in the era of de Sade and Borowczyk" by the British newspaper The Guardian.
Caligula is portrayed as a deranged and cruel ruler who indulges in his perverse desires and sadistic fantasies. He develops an obsession with his sister Drusilla (played by Teresa Ann Savoy) and has an incestuous relationship with her. He also marries the infamous prostitute Messalina (played by Anneka Di Lorenzo) and engages in various sexual acts with his subjects, including orgies and bestiality.
The movie depicts Caligula's reign of terror, marked by arbitrary executions, torture, and humiliation of his enemies and allies alike. He uses his power to indulge in his twisted fantasies and to assert his dominance over Rome and its people. The movie culminates in a gruesome conclusion that showcases the grotesque excesses of Caligula's reign.
Despite the controversy and criticism, Caligula has developed a cult following over the years and is considered a landmark film of the exploitation genre. It features an impressive cast, including Peter O’Toole, Helen Mirren, John Gielgud, and Sir Derek Jacobi, among others, who deliver some of the most memorable performances of their careers.