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Under the direction of historian Thomas Negovan, the “Ultimate Cut” of the film was created
Scenario
Follows Caligula as he kills his treacherous adoptive father and takes control of a decadent Roman empire that descends into depravity, devastation, and madness. The film is a complete reimagining of Caligula (1979) based on 96 hours of never-before-seen footage restored by many years after its release.
A new score was also created, unlike the ballet’s music, which is in the public domain
Instead of expanding existing scenes with the new footage, the entire film was edited from scratch, resulting in a version that contained no shots from the theatrical release. Visual effects were used to enhance scenes and replace cheap sets and backgrounds, and AI technology was used to restore previously unusable dialogue plagued by background noise.
Edited from Caligula (1979), Caligula is a film with a historical story
Originally slated for a limited theatrical release in late 2020, this version premiered at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival. What began as a vast historical epic saw much of the film take place in the editing room.
Instead, a violent, pornographic cash grab that barely resembled a Gore Vidal script
Despite its box office success, thanks to the controversy surrounding the film, critics ridiculed it and the actors disowned it. Now, forty-four years later, Caligula: The Ultimate Cut aims to present the film’s original vision: a gripping, complex historical drama showcasing the intoxicating allure of sexuality and power.
Full review: Geek Vibes Nation
The film is nearly three hours long, utterly captivating, and a triumphant exposé of how “absolute power corrupts absolutely.” In an age of alternate directors and versions, Caligula is a magnificent reconstruction with triumphant fervor.
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