Summary
1979’sCaligulais generally considered a complete disaster of a movie, butCaligula: The Ultimate Cutcould very well change its reputation. The first cut of the movie was originally directed by Tinto Brass, but he was removed before the editing stage could begin after producer andPenthousefounder Bob Guccione ordered it to be edited to change the movie’s tone and style to better match pornography.The newly-editedThe Ultimate Cutis Thomas Negovan’s attempt to showcase the original intentions for the movie, removing many of Guccione’s changes.
In an interview withThe Guardian, originalCaligulastar Malcolm McDowell explained his distaste for the original movie and the reason that he signed on in the first place. While celebrating the notion that not a single frame of Guccione’s version is inTheUltimate Cut,McDowell lamented that he was tricked into participating in the movie. He thought that he was participating in a genuine Hollywood movie and discovered that he was actually participating in a movie led by a “pornographer”. Check out his full explanation below:
What is coming out is not a re-edit so much as a new film. There’s not one frame of the Guccione Caligula, the old one. The new one was put together by this incredibly talented guy called Tom Negovan.Negovan’s Caligula is very much the movie I thought I was making with Tinto Brass. It’s sad that Tinto will not see it because he’s got dementia and is not well enough.
It’s Tinto Brass’s movie, then Guccione took hold. He paid for it, or he claims he did. He recut the movie but didn’t care about continuity or story. He just wanted names above the title in porn. That’s what he got. It became a scandal.Unfortunately, nobody saw the movie that I made and it really depressed me.
We’re going back 47 years, but critics would say: “Why would Malcolm McDowell do this pile of crap?” Why indeed? The answer is: “I didn’t do that pile of crap. It was rejiggered by a pornographer who had an eye for money.” When he built his casino in Atlantic City, do you know who his partner was? Donald Trump.
How Does The New Caligula Change The Original?
A longer runtime and better editing changes the hated movie.
Negovan spent years of his life re-editing the original movie to remove Guccione’s influence. The original movie, which much of the cast and crew forcibly rejected, features gratuitous sex scenes, dismisses much of the original plot, and showcases over-the-top performances by each of its respected actors.Negovan worked to better match Brass' visionby excising Guccione’s sex scenes and offering a better cut of the performances. It helps to ground each actor’s portrayal, making for a less absurd tone and style.
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In re-editing the movie, Negovan also added length to the movie. At 2 hours and 53 minutes,it far exceeds the original 1 hour and 42 minute run-time. The added content comes from deleted scenes and 96 hours of footage that Negovan sifted through to ensure an accurate portrayal. As a consequence, Negovan also cut some footage shot by Brass, largely to retain a set atmosphere that distinguishes the movie from Guiccione’s shocking depiction of Caligula’s life and misadventures.
The result is a movie that is still far fromMalcolm McDowell’s best movie, but it is a portrayal that he is willing to attach his name to. That marks a stark difference from his disappointment with the original cut.Caligula: The Ultimate Cutwill not prevent the 1979 movie from remaining a complete disappointment to McDowell, but he can rest assured that audiences have seen his original intention for the role.
Caligula: The Ultimate Cut
Cast
Caligula: The Ultimate Cut (2023) is a re-edited version of the controversial 1979 film directed by Tinto Brass. This iteration, overseen by Thomas Negovan, endeavors to present a more coherent narrative while retaining the graphic and explicit elements of the original. Starring Malcolm McDowell as the infamous Roman emperor, the film explores themes of power, corruption, and decadence within the Roman Empire. Helen Mirren, Peter O’Toole, and John Gielgud also star.
