Subtotal $0.00
36/50
The “Ultimate Cut” of the film was created under the supervision of historian Thomas Negovan
Synopsis
It follows Caligula as he kills his wily adoptive grandfather and takes control of the decadent Roman Empire, descending into depravity, destruction and madness. The film is a complete retelling of Caligula (1979) based on 96 hours of never-before-seen footage recovered many years after its release. Instead of expanding existing scenes with new footage, the entire film was edited from scratch, resulting in a version that does not contain a single shot of the theatrical version. Visual effects were used to enhance scenes and replace cheap sets and backdrops, and AI technology was used to restore previously unusable dialogue plagued by background noise.
It seems to be made of elements never seen before
A new score was also composed, contrasting with publicly available ballet music. It was originally scheduled for a limited theatrical release in late 2020, but was delayed due to legal difficulties, distribution issues and the Covid-19 pandemic. This version finally premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2023, with excellent commentary from actors Malcolm McDowell (previously shamed for this film) and Dame Helen Mirren from Caligula (1979). After the R-rated laserdisc version, the unrated “Imperial” version, and the documentary promo short where Guccione and Vidal try to explain, I’m having a hard time seeing “Ultimate Cut” as the new movie it’s supposed to be.
It all makes more sense
This was never a terrible movie, but rather a failure born lame again and again. We may never see the 4 hour masterpiece that (maybe) could have been. There’s a lot to like about this version, a lot of beauty and humor. Maybe not the best shots or camera angles, but more telling.
Not subtle, but fun
Thankfully, the actors get a lot more screen time. Theresa Ann Savoy is not only cute and lovely. As Caligula’s calculating, patient and loving sister, she helps a lot! If you’ve ever dreamed of becoming an editor because it seems easy, this film and its challenges will increase your respect for the art of editing.