By MICHAEL GINGOLD
This is more than a re-edit; it’s a total reimagining of the notorious epic of Roman debauchery, originally directed by Tinto Brass.
Drafthouse Films will begin releasing CALIGULA: THE ULTIMATE CUT the theaters nationwide beginning August 16; see the complete list of dates and venues below. We got the first look at a trailer that will play before the film’s showings at Alamo Drafthouse Theaters; the movie will then be issued on 4K UHD Blu-ray and digital platforms later this year. Here’s the full lowdown on CALIGULA’s new incarnation:
“Absolute power corrupts in CALIGULA: THE ULTIMATE CUT, an extensive reconstruction of the notorious 1980 spectacle. Shadowed by the murder of his family, Caligula [Malcolm McDowell] eliminates his devious adoptive grandfather [Peter O’Toole] and seizes control of the Roman Empire alongside his wife Caesonia [Helen Mirren] before descending into a spiral of depravity, destruction, and madness.
“CALIGULA: THE ULTIMATE CUT is a complete reconstruction of one of cinema’s most lavish-yet-notorious productions in a glorious 4K Ultra High Definition restoration. This presentation of the legendary title made its World Premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in 2023, introducing both new generations of movie audiences and classic filmgoers. Its miraculous reconstruction, comprised of 100 percent never-before-seen footage, uses alternate takes and camera angles, and features–for the first time–the complete film narrative.
“Initially released in 1980, CALIGULA was the most expensive independent film in cinema history but had a tumultuous journey to the screen. Written by the esteemed Gore Vidal and headed by the stellar cast of McDowell, Mirren, O’Toole and Sir John Gielgud, CALIGULA was meant to be an epic showcase of the generation’s finest talent, addressing the corrupting influence of power amid the rampant sexuality of the Roman court. However, Penthouse magazine founder (and the film’s financier) Bob Guccione seized control of the negative, randomly inserting graphic scenes of unsimulated sex and gratuitous violence. The cast and film team disavowed what had become a blatant desecration of Vidal’s themes, who sued to have his name removed from the project. The extensive coverage of behind-the-scenes notoriety also had an unexpected effect: the film was a box-office success.
“CALIGULA: THE ULTIMATE CUT aligns closely to Vidal’s original script, especially with the addition of a prologue that illustrates one of Vidal’s missing scenes, created by noted graphic artist Dave McKean (Grant Morrison’s ARKHAM ASYLUM, Neil Gaiman’s SANDMAN). Nearly 100 hours of original footage was discovered by the film’s reconstructionist, film historian Thomas Negovan, in the Penthouse archive, which showcases astounding performances from the film’s cast, fully realizing McDowell’s complex, charismatic Caligula and resurrecting Mirren’s layered character arc, which now cements the film’s final hour.”
North American Theatrical Rollout Schedule (to date)
- August 16: NYC, IFC Center–preview Q&A screening 8/14
- August 16: Los Angeles, Nuart
- August 16: Los Angeles, Alamo DTLA–preview Q&A screening 8/15
- August 16: Atlanta, Plaza Theater
- August 16: Boston, Somerville Theatre
- August 16: Santa Fe, CCA Cinema
- August 16: St. Louis, Hi-Point
- August 16: Toronto, Revue Cinema
- August 17: Vancouver, Rio Theatre
- August 17: Ottawa, Mayfair Theatre
- August 23: NYC, Roxy Cinema
- August 23: Austin, Alamo South Lamar
- August 23: Montréal, Cinèma du parc
- August 23: Boston, Alamo Seaport–one-off
- August 23: Denver, Alamo Sloans Lake–one-off
- August 23: Brooklyn, Alamo Downtown Brooklyn–one-off
- August 23: Raleigh, Alamo Raleigh–one-off
- August 23: El Paso, Alamo Montecillo–one-off
- August 23: Houston, Alamo LeCenterra–one-off
- August 23: Omaha, Alamo La Vista–one-off
- August 23: Springfield, MO, Alamo Springfield–one-off
- August 23: Winchester, VA, Alamo Winchester–one-off
- August 23: Los Angeles, The Frida
- August 23: Cleveland, The Cleveland Cinematheque
- August 23: Saskatoon, The Broadway Theatre–one-off
- August 30: Los Angeles, Lumiere Music Hall
- August 30: St. Louis, Arkadin Cinema & Bar–one-off
- August 30: Arabi, LA, Zeitgeist Theatre & Lounge
- August 30: Las Vegas, The Beverly Theater
- August 30: Chicago, Alamo Chicago
