What happens when you mix Shakespearean tragedy, Roman decadence, and a heavy dose of 1970s excess? You get Caligula: The Ultimate Cut, a film that proves absolute power not only corrupts absolutely, but does so in the most spectacularly outrageous way possible.
This 2023 reconstruction of the infamous 1980 epic is an ambitious attempt to salvage what might have originally been intended as a thought-provoking exploration of power’s corrupting influence. Be warned, though — this version is still a wild ride through the epic debauchery of ancient Rome.
For those unfamiliar with the original, Caligula was the most expensive independent film ever made, starring Malcolm McDowell as the titular Roman emperor, with a cast that included heavyweights like Helen Mirren, Peter O’Toole, and Sir John Gielgud. The screenplay, written by the esteemed Gore Vidal, was supposed to be a commentary on the dangers of unchecked power, set against the lavish and morally bankrupt backdrop of the Roman Empire.
But then came Bob Guccione, founder of Penthouse magazine, who fired the original director, inserted unsimulated adult scenes, and essentially turned the film into something resembling a high-budget adult film. The result was a movie so controversial that its own writer sued to have his name removed from the credits, and its director refused to be associated with the final product.
In 2019, art and film historian, Thomas Negovan was asked with reconstructing a version of Caligula. Using the original camera negatives, Negovan sought to bring back the gravitas that the film’s creators intended. And for the most part, he succeeds. This Ultimate Cut is more artistically grounded, with Malcolm McDowell’s performance becoming the twisted heart of the story.
McDowell’s portrayal of Caligula gives us a man haunted by the murder of his family who, upon seizing power, spirals into a vortex of depravity. McDowell’s Caligula is not just a madman; he’s a tragic figure doomed by his own flawed humanity. And Helen Mirren as Caesonia provides the perfect contrast or balance to McDowell’s Caligula — she is woman who remains coolly detached as the world crumbles around her.
The Ultimate Cut also introduces an animated sequence at the beginning, courtesy of David McKean, that sets the tone for the film’s surreal exploration of mortality and power. McKean’s animation depicts the opulence of Rome with the dark undercurrents of its rulers’ god complexes.
However, curious audiences beware: Caligula: The Ultimate Cut is still not for everyone. The story can feel disjointed and incoherent, and it is certainly not meant to be historically accurate. Instead, it is a layered look at a man who was given the world and had no tools to govern it. The film is chaotic, messy, violent, and at times overwhelming — but that is exactly what makes one keep watching.
Caligula: The Ultimate Cut is both bold and flawed, but it finally lets the original creative voices be heard. It is a film that revels in the influence of power, and then asks you to join in. Proceed with caution, but if you are brave enough to dive in, you might just find yourself mesmerized by the spectacle.
