Caligula: The Imperial 4 Disc Edition Full Uncensored version

[stuartfanning]

Although it isn't British, all the major stars are. 3 disc Region 1 DVD





Caligula - Imperial Edition

September 23, 2007 By: John Latchem Agent DVD Online

Street Date Oct. 2, 2007

Image

Drama

$39.99 three-DVD set; single-disc 'R'-rated and unrated versions $19.99

Stars Malcolm McDowell, Helen Mirren, Peter O'Toole, John Gielgud.

As much as Caligula is a celebration of the decadence of ancient Roman culture, this new DVD set is a celebration of the decadence of Caligula. Helen Mirren might have the best quote in describing the film, saying, "It has an irresistible mix of art and genitals in it."

The DVD has one of those classic vintage behind-the-scenes documentaries in which everyone interviewed speaks as if what they are saying is the most philosophically profound statement they can conceive of at the time. It's almost as amusing to see Penthouse publisher Bob Guccione, the film's producer, try to justify the explicit sexual content ("This is not pornography, this is paganography") as it is to hear the narrator compare the production to a Cecil B. DeMille epic.

In fact, Guccione oversaw the creation of several scenes of hardcore sex that were later edited into the movie over the objections of its director, Tinto Brass, who launched a series of lawsuits in an effort to gain the right to craft the film he intended. The final result left Brass so drained creatively that any cut he would be allowed to release would be like "re-heated soup."

Ironically, Brass' problems with the producers came after his own well-publicized feud with screenwriter Gore Vidal over the cinematic style of the film. Vidal imagined a solemn film, while Brass wanted to focus more on visual flair. Guccione's additional scenes add little to the film other than to drive it beyond a point of excess it was perfectly capable of achieving on its own.

An alternate version that approximates Brass' vision, without the insert shots, is included on the second disc, and it is this version that includes the DVD's three audio commentaries.

Mirren headlines one commentary in which she and a couple of film critics discuss the beleaguered history of the production. McDowell uses another commentary to discuss his role, while the third commentary features a phone interview with Ernest Volkman, who was Penthouse's on-set reporter at the time.

The DVD set also includes new interviews with Brass, Penthouse Pet Lori Wagner (who appeared in one of the sex scenes), and actor John Steiner (now a real estate agent), who gives a very candid interview about how he hated the experience of making the movie (he describes one actress as having not much talent, but terrific legs).

Caligula: Imperial Edition - Agent DVD Online



Caligula: Three-Disc Imperial Edition - 9/24/2007 - Video Business

[stuartfanning]

Here's a detailed review



DVD Talk Review: Caligula: 3 Disc Imperial EditionDVD Talk - DVD Movie News, Reviews, and More

[Moor Larkin]

http://www.britmovie.co.uk/forums/lo...ula-uncut.html

[stuartfanning]

name='Moor Larkin']http://www.britmovie.co.uk/forums/lo...ula-uncut.html

Sorry.

[Amethyst_Isle]

This version of Caligula will include the hardcore scenes that were cut previously from the other releases of this film for the very first time in the UK.



UK DVD specs (from DVD Times):



The Imperial Edition is a four-disc set that features three separate versions of the film including the complete, fully uncut and uncensored version that sealed this demented film's reputation as one of the most controversial in cinema history.



Due to many varied censorship issues and legal problems, over the years since its completion Caligula has emerged in several different versions. The four-disc Caligula: The Imperial Edition includes the three most widely known of these – the full, Uncut Version (2 hours 36 minutes), the UK Theatrical Version (1 hour 42 minutes) and the Alternative Version (2 hours 33 minutes), the latter replacing most of the more sexually explicit sequences with alternate scenes and alternate camera angles. The fourth disc of Extras features a variety of materials (documentaries, interviews, press notes, etc.) that provide a comprehensive background on the history and the making of the film.



Caligula – The Uncut Version - 2 hours 36 minutes

Dolby Digital 5.0 Surround Sound and Dolby Digital 2.0 audio options



Caligula – The Theatrical Version – 1 hour 42 minutes

Trailers: Teaser, trailer & R-rated trailer

North American bonus footage

Behind the scenes footage



Caligula – The Alternative Version – 2 hours 33 minutes

Dolby Digital 5.0 Surround Sound and Dolby Digital 2.0 audio options

Deleted and alternate scenes

Audio commentaries by Malcolm McDowell, Helen Mirren and Ernest Volkman (Penthouse magazine's on-set writer and reporter)



Extras Disc

Making of Caligula documentary

Making of Caligula featurette

My Roman Holiday with John Steiner

Caligula's Pet: A Conversation with Lori Wagner

Tinto Brass: The Orgy Of Power

Stills galleries

Additional DVD-ROM content includes press kit notes; cast and crew biographies; script; novelization.



The full version has been passed by the BBFC as "All previous cuts waived" definately times are a changing at the BBFC.



This title will be released on September 29, 2008.



index



The BBFC have passed Caligula 18 uncut. The BBFC have explained on their website:



" In 2008, the full uncut version of Caligula was resubmitted to the BBFC for DVD release. The passage of nearly 30 years had significantly diminished the film's impact and after careful consideration it was decided that it could now be classified '18' uncut.



This decision accords with the BBFC Guidelines, which state that At '18', the BBFC's guideline concerns will not normally override the wish that adults should be free to chose their own entertainment, within the law.



Although there are scenes in Caligula that some people will find shocking, offensive or disgusting, the film does not contain any material that is illegal in terms of current UK law and nor does it contain any material that is likely to give rise to harm for adults audiences, most of whom will be well aware of its controversial reputation.



The DVD version was classified '18' uncut with the consumer advice Contains strong violence, sexual violence and strong real sex."



Mark Kermode's review here.



http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/markkermo...ula_uncut.html







.

[davidb]

there was a feature about the upcoming release caligula yesterday in a newspaper which will remain nameless . they concentrated on the aspect of it being re edited with saucy stuff inserted without the leading actors knolwedge .it was nothing more than a 2 page ad for the film . i feel sorry for any mug who goes out and buys it on that recommendation .

[Colonel Blimp]

Shame that, with all the different versions, they couldn't have come with a 'Good Version'!

[batman]

name='Colonel Blimp']Shame that, with all the different versions, they couldn't have come with a 'Good Version'!

[rskershaw]

There are now almost as many versions of this film as there are Blade Runner.



"The Least Boring Cut" of either film would be very welcome.

[davidb]

name='Colonel Blimp']Shame that, with all the different versions, they couldn't have come with a 'Good Version'!

brilliant thats the one extra for this film theyll never find

[davidb]

i dont know about anyone else but even when this film finds itself in the bargain bucket [ wont take long ] for about £2.99 inc postage ,i still couldnt be bothered to watch it again no matter how many versions or extras they attach to it

[Colonel Blimp]

This is possibly the most extreme example yet of revisionist reappraisals of worthless nonsense. I realise that there is some sort of unofficial international internet competition to come up with the most obscure and/or most awful films and fool loads of people into searching for them because they are 'lost gems' ... only to discover they weren't worth the bother ... but of course nobody wants to be 'uncool' and so, rather than say 'actually this film stinks', the fraud continues ... but really: Caligula?!? I mean, this film fails on every conceivable level. AND it fails at punishing length. The actors, writer, director, everybody involved has disowned it, except possibly Bob Guccione (but I don't know). I pity whoever sits through all the versions on this set ... JUST SAY NO!!!



I guess I should now look forward to the 8-disc Criterion release of Lisztomania.

[dremble wedge]

name='Colonel Blimp']

I guess I should now look forward to the 8-disc Criterion release of Lisztomania.

That would be amazing!

[TRCThrobbinhoo]

name='Colonel Blimp']This is possibly the most extreme example yet of revisionist reappraisals of worthless nonsense. I realise that there is some sort of unofficial international internet competition to come up with the most obscure and/or most awful films and fool loads of people into searching for them because they are 'lost gems' ... only to discover they weren't worth the bother ... but of course nobody wants to be 'uncool' and so, rather than say 'actually this film stinks', the fraud continues ... but really: Caligula?!? I mean, this film fails on every conceivable level. AND it fails at punishing length. The actors, writer, director, everybody involved has disowned it, except possibly Bob Guccione (but I don't know). I pity whoever sits through all the versions on this set ... JUST SAY NO!!!



I guess I should now look forward to the 8-disc Criterion release of Lisztomania.

I don't agree. Friends of mine and myself think Caligula is a good film.

How does it fail? were you there in those days to see? It might be more true to those times than you think.

[batman]

name='TRCThrobbinhoo']How does it fail?

A terrible script, static direction, it's too long and features some of the worst acting I have ever seen from 'respected' actors. It is an extremely boring and unpleasant film. The music's good though.

[narabdela]

name='TRCThrobbinhoo']..............How does it fail? were you there in those days to see? It might be more true to those times than you think.

It's not a documentary!.....it's a movie. If you're into porn, laughable acting, and amateur direction then you may very well enjoy it as a movie.

[TRCThrobbinhoo]

name='batman']A terrible script, static direction, it's too long and features some of the worst acting I have ever seen from 'respected' actors. It is an extremely boring and unpleasant film. The music's good though.

Well I guess we will have to agree to disagree. I thought the acting was good and enjoy it as movie. I find it very entertaining.

[narabdela]

name='TRCThrobbinhoo']Well I guess we will have to agree to disagree. I thought the acting was good and enjoy it as movie. I find it very entertaining.

Well......."Plan 9 From Outer Space" is entertaining. I suppose we can all be entertained in different ways.

[Moor Larkin]

http://www.britmovie.co.uk/forums/br...rtificate.html





Gerrem off and gerrem out!

[TRCThrobbinhoo]

name='narabdela']Well......."Plan 9 From Outer Space" is entertaining. I suppose we can all be entertained in different ways.

Yes your right, I like Caligula because that's probably very close to how it was in those days and you like your B movies.