Caligula [Blu-ray] [Imperial Edition] (1979)

This lavish big-budget epic was the pinnacle of a uniquely Italian subgenre, the historical hardcore gore/porn extravaganza. The star-studded cast, perhaps lured by the high-profile involvement of producer Bob Guccione and screenwriter Gore Vidal, includes such luminaries as John Gielgud, Peter O'Toole, and Helen Mirren. Director Tinto Brass, whose similar treatment of Nazi Germany in Salon Kitty won him the job, did his best with the mammoth enterprise, but numerous production problems and re-edits took their toll on the ... Read More

This lavish big-budget epic was the pinnacle of a uniquely Italian subgenre, the historical hardcore gore/porn extravaganza. The star-studded cast, perhaps lured by the high-profile involvement of producer Bob Guccione and screenwriter Gore Vidal, includes such luminaries as John Gielgud, Peter O'Toole, and Helen Mirren. Director Tinto Brass, whose similar treatment of Nazi Germany in Salon Kitty won him the job, did his best with the mammoth enterprise, but numerous production problems and re-edits took their toll on the finished product. When Caligula works best, it works because of Malcolm McDowell, whose crazed portrayal of the title Emperor is the embodiment of villainous corruption. McDowell raises his performance level to match the gaudy spectacle around him, which led to charges of overacting, but there are moments when he is absolutely riveting. Some of the cast doesn't fare as well, as O'Toole makes a particularly unsubtle Tiberius. The sex is graphic and steamy, particularly a feverish lesbian interlude between Penthouse Pets Lori Wagner and Marjorie Thorsen (using the pseudonym "Anneka di Lorenzo"), and the various carnival freaks used as atmosphere imbue the film with a grotesque, Fellini-like opulence. There are many memorable scenes and a magnificent score by Paul Clemente, but the heady brew of historical epic, hardcore sex, and gory violence proved overwhelming to many viewers. Still, Gore Vidal's script is surprisingly accurate, and manages to be entertainingly vulgar while bringing a rather loathsome slice of human history to vivid life, warts and all. The more explicit scenes were directed by Bob Guccione and Giancarlo Lui, causing both Vidal and Brass to remove their names from the credits. Robert Firsching, Rovi Read Less

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• Blu-Ray, Very Good 2009, Image Entertainment UPC: 014381499957 See Item Details ▾

  HPB-Movies BEST Dallas, TX, USA

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  	Edition: 2009, Image Entertainment Blu-Ray, Very Good	Details: UPC: 014381499957 Format: W DVD Region: 0 Discs: 2 Studio: Image Entertainment Released: 2009-01-06 Language: English MPAA Rating: NR Alibris ID: 18136609555	Shipping Options: Standard Shipping: $3.45 Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
  Seller's Description: Leopoldo Trieste, Adriana Asti, Bruno Brive, Giancarlo Badessi, Guido Mannari, Teresa Ann Savoy, John Gielgud, Helen Mirren,... Very good. 1980 Run time: 156. Providing great media since 1972. All used discs are inspected and guaranteed. Digital copy/codes may be expired or not included. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
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• Blu-Ray, Very Good 2009 UPC: 014381499957 See Item Details ▾

  Wonder Book - Member ABAA/ILAB BEST Frederick, MD, USA

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  	Edition: 2009 Blu-Ray, Very Good	Details: UPC: 014381499957 Format: Widescreen DVD Region: A/1 Discs: 2 Released: 2009-01-06 MPAA Rating: NR Alibris ID: 18138529992	Shipping Options: Standard Shipping: $3.45 Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
  Seller's Description: Very Good. Very Good condition. blu_ray. Case Very Good. 2 disc set. Quality guaranteed! In original artwork/packaging unless otherwise noted.
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• VHS, Good 2009 UPC: 014381499957 See Item Details ▾

  Goodwill Books BEST Hillsboro, OR, USA

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  	Edition: 2009 VHS, Good	Details: UPC: 014381499957 Format: W DVD Region: A/1 Discs: 2 Released: 2009-01-06 MPAA Rating: NR Alibris ID: 18159634721	Shipping Options: Standard Shipping: $3.45 Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
  Seller's Description: Good. May have very light or no surface scratches. Case and cover artwork are included but may show minimal signs of wear. If applicable: Digital copy or ultraviolet codes may be expired or not included. Slipcover may not be included.
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2009, UPC: 014381499957 Blu-Ray See All from $60.97	2007, UPC: 014381875720 DVD See All from $33.83
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1979, UPC: 5055002521362 DVD See All from $21.29