Episode 286: Sex & horror: 'Caligula: The Ultimate Cut' (2024)

Adventures in Movies!

Few kids in the 1990s would have believed that Trent Reznor would go on to become an Oscar winning film composer. For some of us, it is even more surprising that Nine Inch Nails will be providing the soundtrack for the next Tron movie. We also talk about a recent casting announcement for Soulm8te.

Where to even begin when talking about Caligula? The stories behind the constantly changing screenplay are interesting. How actors refused huge paydays based on moral grounds is also ironic considering how fast and loose people are willing to play with their principles in Hollywood. The pornography, aftermath, and critical reevaluation are all important parts of the film’s mythos.

Caligula: The Ultimate Cut is an attempt to release the movie as original writer Gore Vidal intended. There is also an additional animated opening sequence and added importance to Helen Mirren’s character. Almost 100 hours of footage were used to give audiences what was intended. How well does it work?

The first red flag is that Vidal's vision does not exist. As soon as director Tinto Brass was brought on, Caligula went through heavy rewrites. Which means the new release is more of the same. Just a whole lot longer. Whether this is a good or bad thing will depend on your initial opinion of the movie. In other words, the latest cut adds nothing.

Just because something is pointless, does that mean it is bad? We once again talk about how even necessary nudity can be superfluous, sex carnivals in ancient Rome, gorgeous set pieces, and over the top performances. Caligula: The Ultimate Cut is something else, but is that something worth watching?

Adventures in Movies! is a part of the Morbidly Beautiful Podcast Network. Morbidly Beautiful is your one stop shop for all your horror needs. From the latest news and reviews to interviews and old favorites, it can be found at Morbidly Beautiful.

Adventures in Movies! is hosted by Nathaniel and Blake. You can find Nathaniel on Instagram at nathaninpoortaste. Blake can be found on Twitter @foureyedhorror and on Instagram at foureyedhorror. You can reach us personally or on Twitter @AdventuresinMo1.

Music in the background from https://www.FesliyanStudios.com