Caligola
Details the graphic and shocking, yet undeniably tragic story of Rome’s most infamous Caesar, Gaius Germanicus Caligula.
- Director: Tinto Brass / Bob Guccione
- Genre:Drama / History
- Runtime:156 minutes
Cast
Malcolm McDowell: Caligula
Teresa Ann Savoy: Drusilla
Guido Mannari : Macro
John Gielgud : Nerva
Peter O’Toole : Tiberius
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Due to the various edits of the film, the plot synopsis may vary slightly from version to version.
Caligula, the young heir to throne of the syphilis-ridden, half-mad Emperor Tiberius, thinks he has received a bad omen after a blackbird flies into his room early one morning. Shortly afterward, Macro, the head of the Praetorian Guards, appears to tell the young man that his grandfather (Tiberius) demands that he report at once to the Isle of Capri, where he has been residing for a number of years with close friend Nerva, Claudius a dim-witted relative, and Caligula’s younger stepbrother Gemellus, Tiberius’ favourite. Fearing assassination, Caligula is afraid to leave, but his beloved sister Drusilla convinces him to go.
At Capri, Caligula finds his grandfather has become depraved, showing signs of advanced venereal diseases, and embittered with Rome and politics. Tiberius enjoys watching degrading sexual shows, often including children and various freaks of nature. Caligula observes with a mixture of fascination and horror. Tensions rise when Tiberius jokingly tries to poison Caligula in front of Gemellus. After Nerva commits suicide on the prospect of Caligula’s rule, Tiberius collapses from a stroke, leaving Macro and Caligula planning a way to hasten the latter’s ascent to the throne.
Late one night, Macro escorts all the spectators out of Tiberius’ bedchamber to allow Caligula the opportunity to murder his grandfather, but when he fails, Macro finishes the deed himself by strangling Tiberius with a scarf. Caligula triumphantly removes the imperial signet from Tiberius’ finger and suddenly realizes that Gemellus has witnessed the murder. Tiberius is buried with honours and Caligula is proclaimed the new Emperor, who in turn proclaims Drusilla his equal, to the apparent disgust of the senate. Afterward, Drusilla, fearful of Macro’s influence, convinces Caligula to get rid of him. Caligula obliges by setting up a mock trial, in which Gemellus is intimidated into testifying that Macro alone murdered Tiberius. With the powerful Macro gone, Caligula pronounces the docile Senator Chaerea as the new head of the Praetorian Guard. Drusilla endeavors to find Caligula a wife amongst the priestesses of the goddess Isis, the mystery cult they secretly practice. Caligula only wants to marry Drusilla, but when she refuses, he spitefully marries Caesonia, a known courtesan, but only after she bears him an heir. Read more
