MovieChat Forums > Caligola (1980) Discussion > What's Not To Like?

What's Not To Like?

posted 13 years ago by Ultimex_Varptuner
10 replies | jump to latest

I sense it is somewhat accepted and politically correct to dislike this movie for the following reasons:-

- Some of it is reckoned to be excessively unpleasant/obscene (true).

- Thespian bigwigs who it's compulsory to side with (Mirren, Gielgud et al.) distanced themselves from it (true).

- It's production was troubled and it subsequently bombed (true).

But come on folks, lighten up. Am I really the only one who thinks this film is awesome?

Yes, it's massively offensive. Yes, it's about as historically accurate as the Welsh invasion of Stoke-on-Trent. Yes, it fkin' weird as fk.

But doesn't that all add up to entertainment value?

I don't know about you, but i'd call decent actors doing a decent job amid amazing sets in what essentially amounts to a bizarre soft porno pretty damn entertaining.

More love for the full version!

'What?! Am I holding a crock of sh*t? Is this hospital called Saint Crock of Sh*t?!'

[–] WINKERLANd 13 years ago

I love it.

I just love film.

[–] CaptainHowdy1987 13 years ago

Flawed, but still very watchable.

"I wished Her back but the dead adored Her, Even wild winds sang in chora for Her"

[–] 13 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Ultimex_Varptuner 13 years ago

Okay, good.

Mirren and Geilgud are onboard.

Nice one.

'What?! Am I holding a crock of sh*t? Is this hospital called Saint Crock of Sh*t?!'

[–] dirge2227 11 years ago

What's Not To Like?

Slow motion vomit.

[–] IrishEyes1989 11 years ago

I have to agree with you Ultimex_Varptuner. I downloaded a pirated version of the film and am part way through it at the moment. Apart from some of the acting being terrible, I don't mind it actually. I mostly watched it to see a young Helen Mirren but she doesn't actually show up 'til about halfway through, as you'll know. I was surprised to find that I was fairly entertained until she did.

[–] piggoli-imdb 11 years ago

I like it in a sort of way but I would have liked this film more if those hardcore inserts weren't there. Come on, the reason I (or perhaps anyone else) am watching it is because I am more interested in learning about Caligula than watching porn. I am not a prude. I do watch porn, but then I know what to expect form a porn film. With this one, the porn was unexpected so came as a shock!

Still, I didn't find it as disturbing as others described it to be. Heh, at least the porn was better than the porn they make today. The women were sexier! ;)

[–] Otter (24464) 3 years ago

I agree. Without the porn it would have been hilarious camp!

But with the porn, I felt terribly embarrassed for O'Toole, Mirren, and Gielgud. Not McDowell, though, he seemed into it all.

[–] itpit 8 years ago

I absolutely love this film. Critics complained about the film's excess, but that is what the film is ABOUT. Incidentally, on the dvd for Tinto Brass's earlier film SALON KITTY, the bio on Brass's career states that CALIGULA is wrongly perceived as being an enormous flop, but it actually turned a tidy profit.
Many will call me crazy, but I do consider the film to be a bold and crazy masterpiece...and surely the most hated masterpiece ever.

"Smash everything! Smash everything! Smash everything!"

[–] bobbydallas (8223) 3 years ago

i feel like this is what the Roman Empire was like during his reign.
can't confirm.. but 'feel' like it's somewhat accurate.