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CALIGULA

With Malcolm McDowell, Teresa Ann Savoy, Helen Mirren, Peter O’Toole, John Steiner, Guido Mannari, Mirella D’Angelo, Adriana Asti, John Gielgud
Directed by Tinto Brass

Critics were flipping at the late ‘70s excess of Caligula where a more accurate depiction of Roman overindulgence as rulers of the world finally made it to the screen – instead of the prim and proper fully clothed, bloodless epics of the past. This was the first time Roman excess was explicitly depicted with nudity, murder and unlimited perversions. McDowell is manic as the psychotic Caligula who could literally get away with murder in a world where orgies were a matter of fact. Classic actors like John Gielgud and Peter O’Toole’s appearances boost the credibility a touch in a movie where many simply dismissed it as pornography. Avoid the 1½-hour version and try to get the 156-minute full cut.

4 / B
- PB


1 2 3 4 5 6
A - B - C




never let a review decide for you, but for those who need a rating, see the Flamedrop scale below
6 - Volcanic
5 - Blistering
4 - Hot
3 - Smolder
2 - Room Temperature
1 - Fizzled
0 - Extinguished

A: Multi-Viewing Potential

B: Could Enjoy A 2nd Look

C: Once Should Suffice




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