CALIGULA (1979)

ABSOLUTE POWER CORRUPTS

Uncut and new Ultimate version of this controversial film. Caligula is a 1979 erotic historical drama film focusing on the rise and fall of the Roman Emperor Caligula. It is the only feature film produced by the men's magazine Penthouse. Producer Bob Guccione, the magazine's founder, intended to produce an explicit pornographic film with a feature film narrative and high production values. He also cast Penthouse Pets as extras in unsimulated sex scenes filmed during post-production by himself and Giancarlo Lui.

Caligula: The Ultimate Cut includes the addition of a prologue that illustrates one of Vidal's missing scenes, created by graphic artist Dave McKean, and there is a new wraparound score by composer Troy Sterling Nies. While the reconstruction was heralded by actor McDowell, in keeping with the film's tumultuous 45-year journey, it was disavowed last year by director Brass. Far removed from the artistic quarrels of Tinto Brass, Gore Vidal and Bob Guccione, Thomas Negovan approached this new version from a neutral perspective. His desire to elevate the actors gives greater strength to the narrative and provides a new approach to the Emperor Caligula's madness. Another feat is that not a single shot from the original film was used, which makes Caligula – The Ultimate Cut a completely new feature film.

Special Features and Technical Specs:

DISC ONE - 4K BLU-RAY

• NEW 4K HDR Caligula - The Ultimate Cut
• NEW Audio-Commentary with Heather Drain Caligula: The Rise, Fall & Resurrection Video Essay by Jarret Gahan
• Trailer

DISCS TWO AND THREE - BLU-RAY

• Ultimate Cut (173mins)
• Unrated Theatrical Cut (HD 156mins)
• Io, Caligola: The Italian Cut (SD 124mins)
• Australian Rated Cut (SD 102mins)
• Caligula: Pre-release cut (HD 153mins)
• NEW Audio-Commentary with Heather Drain
• NEW Caligula: The Rise, Fall & Resurrection Video Essay by Jarret Gahan (40mins)
• NEW Thomas Negovan and Aaron Shaps discuss Caligula: The Ultimate Cut (60mins)
• NEW Thomas Negovan on Caligula at Cannes (60mins)
• NEW Post-screening Q&A with Malcolm McDowell and Thomas Negovan at Fantastic Film Festival 2023
• NEW Q&A with Malcolm McDowell and Thomas Negovan at Fantastic Film Festival 2023
• Audio commentary with actor Malcolm McDowell, moderated by Nick Redman
• Audio commentary with actress Helen Mirren, Alan Jones and James Alice Chaffin
• Audio commentary with on-set writer Ernest Volkman (interviewed by Nathaniel Thompson)
• Hours of archival footage including deleted scenes, alternate scenes, behind-the-scenes, documentaries, featurettes and interviews with Tinto Brass, John Steiner, Lori Wagner, Gore Vidal and more!