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Caligula (R-rated Version)

Caligula (R-rated Version)

List Price: $24.99
Your Price: $22.49
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Rating: 4 stars
Summary: a great big freakshow
Review: I bought the unrated version of this interesting flick. I think everyone should see it at least once it their lives. Malcom McDowell (clockwork orange, tank girl) is an excelent actor and this work shows it. Plus the porn side of it is pretty cool too.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Surprise
Review: The most surprising thing about this movie is that with an international cast of in some cases classical actors (Gielguid, O'Toole Mirren ) it is so pornographic. If you look closely you then realise that the name actors don't actually participate in the steamier scenes and probably were not even there when they were shot. The surprise is to sit down expecting a Ben Hur type movie and end up watching porn. Does this make it a bad movie? maybe not but it does not make it a good movie either.

The documentary is hilarious and worth the cost alone. 3 Stars for fascination value.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A Classic
Review: this is the way a film should be made uncut.stay away from the R Version.this film has alot of things going on.Power,Sex etc.. it's not for the Tame of Heart.I Bet Bill Clinton has seen it? it's a Interesting take on Roman History.but this film is worth the watch.you have to be Open-Minded to Appreciate it.Mad Props to Guccionne for putting this Picture out.it's a trip.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Decadent, Demented, Daring
Review: I wish I could give the movie 5 stars, but the audio and technical aspects are lacking. Imagine a director filming his vision with full love scenes, gore and unedited story. This movie is unique and should be supported (bought) as you would support (buy) any other example of art". My only concern is ...don't watch the movie too many times, you'll end up like Caligula yourself.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: This is something...
Review: Okay, well...I would probably say this is one of the oddest movies ever made. It isn't an artistic masterpiece like some people claim it to be, and it probably doesn't do a whole lot for historical accuracy either, but it -is- entertaining, just in how extremely twisted and fascinating it really is. It takes a stylistic note from Fellini's later work such as "Roma" and "Satyricon" and then just sort of goes crazy, filling the screen with mutants, bizarre scenes of extremely graphic violence and extremely graphic pornography. And the fact that it stars Malcolm McDowell, Helen Mirren, Peter O'Toole and John Gielgud, all brilliant actors, makes it all the most fascinating. And, in fact, they are all very good in this movie, in an over the top way. But really...in a movie like this how could you possibly, even for a second, think to play it seriously. It's makers (Guccionne, Tinto Brass) seem to take it quite seriously. But really...

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Some kind of great film
Review: Just finished watching the Unrated version of Caligula which I had only previously seen on pan and scan VHS tape, in the R rated version.

First off, the unrated version contains about 20 minutes of hardcore predominantly heterosexual material in the form of short intercuts in the main action. This material improves the film rather alot by slowing the pacing and (strangely) has the effect of rendering Malcom McDowell's as Caligulas descent into suicidal craziness more understandable and amusing. A "descent into suicidal craziness" *amusing* you ask? Yes. Caligula is an intelligent and powerful film but at no point could it be accused of taking itself seriously. This is Roman history according to Suetonius with a very big nod to Fellini. The humour is broad, the sets are brilliant and the point of the film is nothing short of scorching.

The DVD mastering is not the best I have ever seen but is massively better than VHS (and is in the correct aspect ratio.) The sound is more than good enough and the extra features quite reasonably good.

If you like adult entertainment, by which I mean films intended for adults as opposed to those who like "good guys bad guys and explosions" this is most definitely one to watch again and again.

Top stuff

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: something for everyone!
Review: Everyone knows that this film is controversial, erotic, hard-core, disgusting, stimulating, and so on. But it is also pretty funny! For example, whenever Guccione wants to leave his mark on the on-screen procedings, the musical score is an orchestral version of Sinatra's "My Way"!

I think it was thoughful of the filmmakers to use Penthouse Pets as actresses.

The "Making of..." featurette is worth the price of the whole movie! Guccione's monologues look like they were recorded in his house which looks like it was decorated by someone with more money than brains... or taste. But it is perfectly fitting with his unbuttoned shirt, gold chains, disco look! This is a hilarious snapshot of the absolute worst of the 70's! Then there is his "I am sooooo studly" look as he tries hard to use big words and appear intelligent. He DID do it his way! He da man! ...I guess...

But if you're looking for artistic content or historical accuracy, you best look elsewhere.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: What is wrong!
Review: First of all, the quality is really not that bad. If you like at the VHS edition, you'll notice considerable differences. The scene where Caligula dances in the rain looks far better on DVD, as well as many others. I thought the nudity was a little gratiutous, and the violence is really tough to watch, but the film is erotic and well-made, with intriguig characters and a great soundtrack. Some of the best scenes:

1. Caligula develops a fever and Caesonia overhears a plot developing against him 2. The opening scene 3. Nerva's suicide 4. The decapitation machine 4. The ending

Still, there are some disgusting and unpleasant scenes, and the infamous "dog food" scene is repulsive. If you can handle it, Caligula will truly be a film lingering in one's memory

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Interesting Portrayal of Roman History
Review: This movie is certainly an interesting portrayal of Roman History's most notorious Caesar. Although he only served a short time, his antics and deviances have endured for more than two thousand years. Most of what is portrayed in this movie is the recountment of Seutonius, a "secretary" to many Caesars after Caligula ("Little Boots"), so is mostly "rumours" of his time -- though historians do give him much credit for detailing many credible stories. In any event, if you believe what you see as Roman history, so be it -- you'll be even more appalled at the vulgar and demented behaviour of this man. However, I'm more inclined to believe that some of the more vulgar portrayals were from the inventive (and perhaps perverse) mind of Penthouse's Guccione.

As many of these posts have mentioned, don't bother watching this if you're squeemish or do not wish to see graphic sexual acts.

I give this three stars for production and filming and some of the quality actors. However, the gratuitous sex and violence could have been toned down a bit -- at the detraction of the "truth" of Roman History.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Gave in...
Review: Well, I decided to buy this DVC after all and I was pleasantly surprised concerning the picture quality. Concerning this movie is 20+ years old, I must say I had expected the quality to be really poor but this is not so, IMHO anyways. And yes, the movie definately was as graphic as I remembered it but it really is worthwhile watching.


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