a review of "Caligula"

Confessions of a Film Junkie: A Review of “Caligula”

By: Brian Cotnoir

                The 1980 film “Caligula” is one of the worst films I have ever seen and quite possibly one of the worst films ever made.  How bad as it you may ask?  Well considering that the film’s director, Tinto Brass, has since disowned making this film, I’d say it’s a pretty good indication that this is a bad film.  What’s even more shocking is that the person who wrote “Caligula” was Gore Vidal; Vidal has also disowned having to do anything with this film.                                                                                                                                
            The synopsis of “Caligula” is the rise and fall of the Roman emperor Gaius Caesar Germanicus; better known as Caligula.  The role of Caligula is played Malcolm McDowell, and even though his portrayal of Caligula is entertaining it’s still not enough to save this movie.  Most of the film was financed by Penthouse founder, Bob Guccione; seriously it’s almost impossible to go a couple of minutes into this film without seeing a topless woman.         
            This film, for the most part, is incredibly boring.  The story is dull, the acting is very bland, and the cinematography just sucks.  All this film really is, is porn; porn with a really bad story, really bad acting, and some of the most awkward dialogue I have ever heard in any film.  The only positive thing I have to say about this film is that the sets in the film were quite impressive.  However, when the sets are the only part you like in a film, it’s clearly evident that your movie sucks.  I recommend that nobody see this film; it is simply too bad and too boring to be seen and heard by human beings.