Is Caligula a Masterpiece?

In a recent discussion, actor Malcolm McDowell recounted the tumultuous production of the controversial film "Caligula," revealing that he had raised concerns about the project even before filming began. Despite his apprehensions, director Tinto Brass was optimistic, suggesting that McDowell view the film's financier, Bob Guccione, as a supportive figure akin to a member of the Warner Brothers studio. However, tensions escalated when Guccione dismissed Brass, leading to McDowell's decision to relocate to Los Angeles. McDowell expressed frustration over the lack of a cohesive production team, noting that a successful film typically relies on a studio with a proven track record. He highlighted Guccione's assertion that costume designer Danilo Donati was the true star of "Caligula," dismissing Brass as inept. This sentiment reflects a broader narrative where the film's ambitious vision was undermined by internal conflicts and mismanagement. Negovan, another participant in the discussion, pointed out that the archives related to "Caligula" have been a source of intrigue for decades, yet the film's legacy has often been reduced to a punchline. He emphasized that esteemed actors like Helen Mirren and John Gielgud took their roles seriously, despite the film's notorious reputation for explicit content. The conversation took a surprising turn when Critch proposed screening a new cut of the film for a children's charity, believing the adult scenes had been edited out. McDowell's incredulity at this suggestion underscored the film's complex nature, as he insisted that the explicit elements were integral to portraying the historical figure of Caligula accurately.