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* LargeHam: Peter O'Toole chews through the scenery and nude bit actors throughout his short appearance as Tiberius. Malcolm McDowell's portrayal of Caligula also has his hammy moments, especially towards the end when he begins to [[BullyingTheDragon mercilessly mock and antagonize the upper class and the military]].
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* LargeHam: Peter O'Toole chews through the scenery and nude bit actors throughout his short appearance as Tiberius. Malcolm McDowell's [=McDowell=]'s portrayal of Caligula also has his hammy moments, especially towards the end when he begins to [[BullyingTheDragon mercilessly mock and antagonize the upper class and the military]].
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** Bob Guccione's mangling led to some events being presented in an order that would have been chronologically impossible.
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%%* BrotherSisterIncest: Caligula and Drusilla.
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%%* DenOfIniquity: Tiberius's mansion.
%%* DepravedBisexual: Caligula of course.
%%** Tiberius is also a textbook case of this trope.
%%* DepravedBisexual: Caligula of course.
%%** Tiberius is also a textbook case of this trope.
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%%*
* DepravedBisexual: Averted. While he had several homosexual encounters in Gore Vidal's original script, Caligula
%%** Tiberius
** While the subsequent video releases have corrected the color issues, the audio still remains distorted.
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%%* HollywoodHistory
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** Most of the characters are [[CompositeCharacter condensed versions of various different historical figures]] and many have their real roles in the historic events were changed for dramatic purposes.
** Nerva did not slit his wrists, he starved himself to death in 33 AD, four years before the events of the film.
** Similarly, Drusilla died long before Caligula even met Caesonia.
** Caligula's previous marriages before Caesonia are never mentioned.
** The sets and costumes have more in common with stereotypical Hollywood Epic representation of Ancient Rome rather than the real Pagan Rome of that time.
** Caesonia and Caligula's young daughter were not killed at the same time as him. They were cornered by the Praetorian Guards in their chambers several hours after Caligula's assassination.
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%%* LargeHam: Caligula.
%%** Tiberius definitely counts as well. '''"MORE CONVICTION!!"'''
%%** Tiberius definitely counts as well. '''"MORE CONVICTION!!"'''
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%%** Tiberius definitely counts
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%%* NippleAndDimed: Completely averted.
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%%* PlotWithPorn
%%* PraetorianGuard: This being ancient Rome, they play a pretty big role.
%%* TheQueensLatin: Creator/MalcolmMcDowell, Creator/HelenMirren, Peter O'Toole, and Sir John Gielgud.
%%* PraetorianGuard: This being ancient Rome, they play a pretty big role.
%%* TheQueensLatin: Creator/MalcolmMcDowell, Creator/HelenMirren, Peter O'Toole, and Sir John Gielgud.
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%%*
* PraetorianGuard:
%%*
* TheQueensLatin: The main cast consists of such classic British actors as Creator/MalcolmMcDowell, Creator/HelenMirren, Peter O'Toole, and Sir John Gielgud.
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** Like wise, Tinto Brass used plain looking people in the orgy scenes and deliberately shot the sexual footage as comical and softcore to spite Guccione. This [[BullyingADragon backfired]] horribly.
%%* TearsOfBlood: As seen on most of the film's poster art.
%%* TearsOfBlood: As seen on most of the film's poster art.
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** Like wise, Likewise, Tinto Brass used plain looking people in the orgy scenes and deliberately shot the sexual footage as comical and softcore to spite Guccione. This [[BullyingADragon backfired]] horribly.
%%* * TearsOfBlood: As seen on most of Frequent imagery used to promote the film's poster art.film showed a coin with Caligula profile that is bleeding out of his eye. Same logo was used in the opening credits.
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%%* UnproblematicProstitution
%%* VillainProtagonist: Caligula
%%* VillainProtagonist: Caligula
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%%*
* VillainProtagonist:
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%%* WithGreatPowerComesGreatInsanity
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* ArsonMurderAndJaywalking: So, ''so'' much. In the June 28, 1976 issue of ''Variety'', an ad announcing the beginning of filming included the words, "What better proof that I am God. I have a husband. And a wife. I am all that is and shall ever be." However, nothing about Caligula's husband or his homosexuality made it into the film. So, you could have Creator/{{Malcolm McDowell}} play a character who engages in rape, torture, murder, incest, bestiality and other horrible acts, but they couldn't say he was ''gay''. The film itself became notorious for scenes of hardcore pornography, graphic violence and...poor editing
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* AdaptationDyeJob: Blonde-haired blue-eyed [=McDowell=] as Caligula, who we [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caligula#/media/File:Cropped_color_calligula.jpg know]] had brown hair and brown eyes.
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* AdaptationDyeJob: Blonde-haired blue-eyed [=McDowell=] as Caligula, who we [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caligula#/media/File:Cropped_color_calligula.jpg know]] had brown hair and brown hazel eyes.
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* CaptainObvious: Despite torturing and killing several people, not to mention making his horse Incitatus a senator, it's only after Caligula declares himself a god in front of the senate Longinus exclaims "he's mad!"
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* CaptainObvious: Despite torturing and killing several people, not to mention making his horse Incitatus a senator, it's only after Caligula declares himself a god in front of the senate that Longinus exclaims "he's mad!"
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%%* DrivenToSuicide [[spoiler: Nerva]] who has had enough of Tiberius's reign and can't bear the fact Caligula will be the next emperor.
%%* DroitDuSeigneur: What Caligula does to Proculus and his wife.
* EpicMovie: Possibly the only EpicMovie, and the only movie starring Creator/MalcolmMcDowell, Creator/HelenMirren, Creator/PeterOToole and Sir John Gielgud to feature unsimulated hardcore sex.
%%* DroitDuSeigneur: What Caligula does to Proculus and his wife.
* EpicMovie: Possibly the only EpicMovie, and the only movie starring Creator/MalcolmMcDowell, Creator/HelenMirren, Creator/PeterOToole and Sir John Gielgud to feature unsimulated hardcore sex.
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* EpicMovie: Possibly the only EpicMovie, and the only movie starring Creator/MalcolmMcDowell, Creator/HelenMirren, Creator/PeterOToole and Sir John
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%%* TheCaligula: Three guesses, no prizes.
%%** Tiberius also qualifies.
%%** Tiberius also qualifies.
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%%**
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%%* AxCrazy: Caligula and Tiberius.
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* AdaptedOut: No mention of Caligula's previous two wives before he married Caesonia.
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%%* AncientRome: The setting of the film.
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%%* DeathOfAChild: In a fairly sickening manner during the film's ending.
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* DigitalDestruction: The digital remastering on the 1999 DVD mutes and distorts all of the colors and flesh tones, while the 5.1 surround sound audio remix obliterates many of the sound cues, including whole lines of dialogue.
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Creator/FedericoFellini's art director Danilo Donati was hired to build the expensive and complex sets and costumes. Renowned acting talent, includingCreator/MalcolmMcDowell, Creator/HelenMirren, Creator/PeterOToole and Sir Creator/JohnGielgud were cast. Maria Schneider was originally cast as Caligula's doomed sister Drusilla, but later dropped out and was replaced by Teresa Ann Savoy. After Guccione was unable to come to an agreement with more established directors Creator/JohnHuston and Lina Wertmuller, Tinto Brass, a relatively young Italian director who directed an artsy big budget [[FollowTheLeader progenitor]] to the {{Nazisploitation}} genre called ''Salon Kitty'' that Guccione had taken a shine to was made the head instead. Shooting commenced in September 1976 in Dear Studios, Rome with plans for a 1977 release.
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Creator/FedericoFellini's art director Danilo Donati was hired to build the expensive and complex sets and costumes. Renowned acting talent, includingCreator/MalcolmMcDowell, including Creator/MalcolmMcDowell, Creator/HelenMirren, Creator/PeterOToole and Sir Creator/JohnGielgud were cast. Maria Schneider was originally cast as Caligula's doomed sister Drusilla, but later dropped out and was replaced by Teresa Ann Savoy. After Guccione was unable to come to an agreement with more established directors Creator/JohnHuston and Lina Wertmuller, Tinto Brass, a relatively young Italian director who directed an artsy big budget [[FollowTheLeader progenitor]] to the {{Nazisploitation}} genre called ''Salon Kitty'' that Guccione had taken a shine to was made the head instead. Shooting commenced in September 1976 in Dear Studios, Rome with plans for a 1977 release.
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Federico Fellini's art director Danilo Donati was hired to build the expensive and complex sets and costumes. Renowned acting talent, including Creator/MalcolmMcDowell, Creator/HelenMirren, Creator/PeterOToole and Sir Creator/JohnGielgud were cast. Maria Schneider was originally cast as Caligula's doomed sister Drusilla, but later dropped out and was replaced by Teresa Ann Savoy. After Guccione was unable to come to an agreement with more established directors JohnHuston and Lina Wertmuller, Tinto Brass, a relatively young Italian director who directed an artsy big budget [[FollowTheLeader progenitor]] to the {{Nazisploitation}} genre called ''Salon Kitty'' that Guccione had taken a shine to was made the head instead. Shooting commenced in September 1976 in Dear Studios, Rome with plans for a 1977 release.
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Federico Fellini's art director Danilo Donati was hired to build the expensive and complex sets and costumes. Renowned acting talent, including Creator/MalcolmMcDowell, Creator/HelenMirren, Creator/PeterOToole and Sir Creator/JohnGielgud were cast. Maria Schneider was originally cast as Caligula's doomed sister Drusilla, but later dropped out and was replaced by Teresa Ann Savoy. After Guccione was unable to come to an agreement with more established directors JohnHuston and Lina Wertmuller, Tinto Brass, a relatively young Italian director who'd produced an artsy big budget [[FollowTheLeader progenitor]] to the {{Nazisploitation}} genre called ''Salon Kitty'' that Guccione had taken a shine to was made the head instead. Caligula production was housed in Dear Studios, Rome, where the infamous ''Film/{{Cleopatra}}'' was filmed thirteen years earlier. Shooting commenced in September 1976, with plans for a 1977 release.
to:
Federico Fellini's art director Danilo Donati was hired to build the expensive and complex sets and costumes. Renowned acting talent, including Creator/MalcolmMcDowell, Creator/HelenMirren, Creator/PeterOToole and Sir Creator/JohnGielgud were cast. Maria Schneider was originally cast as Caligula's doomed sister Drusilla, but later dropped out and was replaced by Teresa Ann Savoy. After Guccione was unable to come to an agreement with more established directors JohnHuston and Lina Wertmuller, Tinto Brass, a relatively young Italian director who'd produced who directed an artsy big budget [[FollowTheLeader progenitor]] to the {{Nazisploitation}} genre called ''Salon Kitty'' that Guccione had taken a shine to was made the head instead. Caligula production was housed in Dear Studios, Rome, where the infamous ''Film/{{Cleopatra}}'' was filmed thirteen years earlier. Shooting commenced in September 1976, 1976 in Dear Studios, Rome with plans for a 1977 release.
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Commented out zero context examples.
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%% Administrivia/ZeroContextExample entries are not allowed on wiki pages. All such entries have been commented out. Add context to the entries before uncommenting them.
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* AncientRome: The setting of the film.
* AxCrazy: Caligula and Tiberius.
* AxCrazy: Caligula and Tiberius.
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* BrotherSisterIncest: Caligula and Drusilla.
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* TheCaligula: Three guesses, no prizes.
** Tiberius also qualifies.
** Tiberius also qualifies.
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* DeathOfAChild: In a fairly sickening manner during the film's ending.
* DenOfIniquity: Tiberius's mansion.
* DepravedBisexual: Caligula of course.
** Tiberius is also a textbook case of this trope.
* DrivenToSuicide [[spoiler: Nerva]] who has had enough of Tiberius's reign and can't bear the fact Caligula will be the next emperor.
* DroitDuSeigneur: What Caligula does to Proculus and his wife.
* DenOfIniquity: Tiberius's mansion.
* DepravedBisexual: Caligula of course.
** Tiberius is also a textbook case of this trope.
* DrivenToSuicide [[spoiler: Nerva]] who has had enough of Tiberius's reign and can't bear the fact Caligula will be the next emperor.
* DroitDuSeigneur: What Caligula does to Proculus and his wife.
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* HollywoodHistory
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* LargeHam: Caligula.
** Tiberius definitely counts as well. '''"MORE CONVICTION!!"'''
** Tiberius definitely counts as well. '''"MORE CONVICTION!!"'''
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* NippleAndDimed: Completely averted.
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* PlotWithPorn
* PraetorianGuard: This being ancient Rome, they play a pretty big role.
* TheQueensLatin: Creator/MalcolmMcDowell, Creator/HelenMirren, Peter O'Toole, and Sir John Gielgud.
* PraetorianGuard: This being ancient Rome, they play a pretty big role.
* TheQueensLatin: Creator/MalcolmMcDowell, Creator/HelenMirren, Peter O'Toole, and Sir John Gielgud.
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* TearsOfBlood: As seen on most of the film's poster art.
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* UnproblematicProstitution
* VillainProtagonist: Caligula
* VillainProtagonist: Caligula
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* WithGreatPowerComesGreatInsanity
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Natter. Let's not be hyperbolic here.
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** These may also be shed by the audience upon viewing the film.
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* DeathOfAChild: In a fairly sickening manner during the film's ending.
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* InfantImmortality: Averted, in a fairly sickening manner during the film's ending.
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LoveItOrHateIt, never, in the history of the world, will there ever be another movie like ''Caligula''. And never, in the history of this website, will there ever be a movie more difficult than ''Caligula'' to describe.
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* AdaptionDyeJob: Blonde-haired blue-eyed [=McDowell=] as Caligula, who we [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caligula#/media/File:Cropped_color_calligula.jpg know]] had brown hair and brown eyes.
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* AdaptionDyeJob: AdaptationDyeJob: Blonde-haired blue-eyed [=McDowell=] as Caligula, who we [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caligula#/media/File:Cropped_color_calligula.jpg know]] had brown hair and brown eyes.
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* AdaptionalDyeJob: Blonde-haired blue-eyed [=McDowell=] as Caligula, who we [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caligula#/media/File:Cropped_color_calligula.jpg know]] had brown hair and brown eyes.
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* AdaptionalDyeJob: AdaptionDyeJob: Blonde-haired blue-eyed [=McDowell=] as Caligula, who we [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caligula#/media/File:Cropped_color_calligula.jpg know]] had brown hair and brown eyes.
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* AdaptionalDyeJob: Blonde-haired blue-eyed [=McDowell=] as Caligula, who we [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caligula#/media/File:Cropped_color_calligula.jpg know]] had brown hair and brown eyes.
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As the film entered post-production, Guccione took control of the film footage, fired Brass for running up huge costs (Guccione claims Brass shot enough film to "''make the original version of ''BenHur'' about 50 times over''"), casting actual criminals as Roman senators, and using what Guccione considered "''fat, ugly, and wrinkled old women''" in the sex scenes instead of his Penthouse Pets. (In actuality, the women weren't "ugly" or "old" at all, just not as beautiful as Guccione's models.) Guccione hired friend Giancarlo Lui to reedit the film. Lui was instructed to refashion the film into something more in keeping with what Vidal had first scripted, while delivering the sexual content demanded by Guccione; they shot and added hardcore scenes.
to:
As the film entered post-production, Guccione took control of the film footage, fired Brass for running up huge costs (Guccione claims Brass shot enough film to "''make the original version of ''BenHur'' ''Film/BenHur'' about 50 times over''"), casting actual criminals as Roman senators, and using what Guccione considered "''fat, ugly, and wrinkled old women''" in the sex scenes instead of his Penthouse Pets. (In actuality, the women weren't "ugly" or "old" at all, just not as beautiful as Guccione's models.) Guccione hired friend Giancarlo Lui to reedit the film. Lui was instructed to refashion the film into something more in keeping with what Vidal had first scripted, while delivering the sexual content demanded by Guccione; they shot and added hardcore scenes.
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* AGodAmI: Invoked in the BadassBoast cited below. Caligula also identifies himself as Jupiter at one point and later demands the Senate to deify him.
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* AGodAmI: Invoked in the BadassBoast cited below. Caligula also identifies himself as Jupiter at one point and later demands the Senate to deify him.
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It all began with Creator/GoreVidal writing a screenplay about the life of the infamous Roman Emperor UsefulNotes/{{Caligula}}, based on an unproduced television mini-series by Roberto Rossellini. Though Vidal and Franco Rossellini (Roberto's nephew) originally only intended for it to be a modestly-budgeted historical drama; when they couldn't obtain funding they went to none other than the founder of ''Penthouse Magazine'' Bob Guccione. And it's actually not his first film, either. Previously, Guccione produced ''Film/{{Chinatown}}''. Yes, really.
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It all began with Creator/GoreVidal writing a screenplay about the life of the infamous Roman Emperor UsefulNotes/{{Caligula}}, based on an unproduced television mini-series by Roberto Rossellini. Though Vidal and Franco Rossellini (Roberto's nephew) originally only intended for it to be a modestly-budgeted historical drama; when they couldn't obtain funding they went to none other than the founder of ''Penthouse Magazine'' ''Penthouse'' magazine, Bob Guccione. And it's actually not his first film, either. Previously, Guccione produced ''Film/{{Chinatown}}''. Yes, really.
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Lolicon and shotacon have been disambiguated. Links with too little context are being removed - "paedo" is not always a trope, examples where the tropeworthiness is unclear are being removed. Also, please do not use "loli" as a synonym for little girl; see Lolicon And Shotacon as to why not
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* AluminumChristmasTrees: The scene where Tiberius refers to the sex slaves in his bath as his "little fishies". Most viewers would think it's just another one of those over the top sexploitation scenes put in to shock audiences. In actual fact most historians will tell you he did have something like that, and they were mostly [[ShotaCon little boys]]. So this is one case where the movie actually ''toned it down'' from the real thing.
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* AluminumChristmasTrees: The scene where Tiberius refers to the sex slaves in his bath as his "little fishies". Most viewers would think it's just another one of those over the top sexploitation scenes put in to shock audiences. In actual fact most historians will tell you he did have something like that, and they were mostly [[ShotaCon [[PaedoHunt little boys]]. So this is one case where the movie actually ''toned it down'' from the real thing.
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By the time the principal photography on ''Caligula'' had completed, Vidal (having a previous issue with his involvement in the infamous ''Myra Breckinridge'') was concerned about being associated with such an out-of-control production. Fearing the film would turn out incoherent, Vidal distanced himself from the project. Of Vidal, Brass concluded, "''If I ever really get mad at Gore Vidal, I'll publish his script.''" (An early draft is included as an extra on the Imperial Edition DVD release.)
to:
By the time the principal photography on ''Caligula'' had completed, Vidal (having a previous issue with his involvement in the infamous ''Myra Breckinridge'') ''Film/MyraBreckinridge'') was concerned about being associated with such an out-of-control production. Fearing the film would turn out incoherent, Vidal distanced himself from the project. Of Vidal, Brass concluded, "''If I ever really get mad at Gore Vidal, I'll publish his script.''" (An early draft is included as an extra on the Imperial Edition DVD release.)
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So, just to recap, costume and set designer from Roman Period Epics, Director from Italian Exploitation films, Shakespearian actors, and an exectutive producer with a background in porn. Where else are you gonna see that?
to:
So, just to recap, costume and set designer from Roman Period Epics, Director from Italian Exploitation films, Shakespearian actors, and an exectutive executive producer with a background in porn. Where else are you gonna see that?
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* EpicMovie: Possibly the only EpicMovie, and the only movie starring Creator/MalcolmMcDowell, Creator/HelenMirren, Peter O'Toole and Sir John Gielgud to feature unsimulated hardcore sex.
to:
* EpicMovie: Possibly the only EpicMovie, and the only movie starring Creator/MalcolmMcDowell, Creator/HelenMirren, Peter O'Toole Creator/PeterOToole and Sir John Gielgud to feature unsimulated hardcore sex.
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* FollowTheLeader: All sorts of films about Caligula were made to bank on the film's infamy, like "Caligula Reincarnated As Nero". It might be called "[[ExploitationFilm Caligulasploitation]]".
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** According to MalcolmMcDowell's commentary track on the DVD, the scene where Caligula lines people up and has Gemellus identify the culprit who killed Tiberius, was a jab at Guccione who did something similar after one of the dancers shoved one of the Penthouse Pets.
to:
** According to MalcolmMcDowell's Creator/MalcolmMcDowell's commentary track on the DVD, the scene where Caligula lines people up and has Gemellus identify the culprit who killed Tiberius, was a jab at Guccione who did something similar after one of the dancers shoved one of the Penthouse Pets.
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* VomitIndiscretionShot: When [[spoiler:Caligula]] comes down with the fever he pukes into the camera. Making matters worse, according to MalcolmMcDowell it was real vomit.
* WhatDoYouMeanItWasntMadeOnDrugs
* WhatDoYouMeanItWasntMadeOnDrugs
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* VomitIndiscretionShot: When [[spoiler:Caligula]] comes down with the fever he pukes into the camera. Making matters worse, according to MalcolmMcDowell Creator/MalcolmMcDowell it was real vomit.
* WhatDoYouMeanItWasntMadeOnDrugsvomit.
* WhatDoYouMeanItWasntMadeOnDrugs
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Restoring per 5P
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[[quoteright:250:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/caligula.jpg]]
LoveItOrHateIt, never, in the history of the world, will there ever be another movie like ''Caligula''. And never, in the history of this website, will there ever be a movie more difficult than ''Caligula'' to describe.
It all began with Creator/GoreVidal writing a screenplay about the life of the infamous Roman Emperor UsefulNotes/{{Caligula}}, based on an unproduced television mini-series by Roberto Rossellini. Though Vidal and Franco Rossellini (Roberto's nephew) originally only intended for it to be a modestly-budgeted historical drama; when they couldn't obtain funding they went to none other than the founder of ''Penthouse Magazine'' Bob Guccione. And it's actually not his first film, either. Previously, Guccione produced ''Film/{{Chinatown}}''. Yes, really.
Guccione agreed to finance ''Caligula'' on [[ExecutiveMeddling two conditions:]] 1, that it would be tarted up into a lavish, flamboyant spectacle akin to the SwordAndSandal epics of the 50s; and 2, [[HotterAndSexier that sex would be incorporated to promote the magazine]]. During the rewrites, Vidal's screenplay was rewritten to tone down the homosexual content, at Guccione's insistence.
Federico Fellini's art director Danilo Donati was hired to build the expensive and complex sets and costumes. Renowned acting talent, including Creator/MalcolmMcDowell, Creator/HelenMirren, Creator/PeterOToole and Sir Creator/JohnGielgud were cast. Maria Schneider was originally cast as Caligula's doomed sister Drusilla, but later dropped out and was replaced by Teresa Ann Savoy. After Guccione was unable to come to an agreement with more established directors JohnHuston and Lina Wertmuller, Tinto Brass, a relatively young Italian director who'd produced an artsy big budget [[FollowTheLeader progenitor]] to the {{Nazisploitation}} genre called ''Salon Kitty'' that Guccione had taken a shine to was made the head instead. Caligula production was housed in Dear Studios, Rome, where the infamous ''Film/{{Cleopatra}}'' was filmed thirteen years earlier. Shooting commenced in September 1976, with plans for a 1977 release.
From the start, Caligula was plagued by difficulties. According to Guccione in a 1980 ''Penthouse'' magazine interview, Vidal (whom Guccione called a "''prodigious talent''") started trouble with a ''Time'' magazine interview in which he called directors parasites living off writers, and that the director need only follow the directions as provided by the author of the screenplay. According to Guccione, an enraged Brass responded to Vidal's comments by throwing Vidal out of the studio. Guccione was forced to side with Brass (whom he called "''a megalomaniac''") because "''Gore's work was basically done and Tinto's work was about to begin.''"
Casting and logistical issues were problems. Uncomfortable with the sex and nudity in the script, the female lead Schneider quickly resigned from the film, to be replaced with Teresa as said earlier. It was soon apparent to the filmmakers that the aggressive shooting schedule developed by the inexperienced Rossellini and Guccione was unrealistic for a film of such scope. Donati had to scrap some of his more elaborate original ideas for the sets and replace them with such surreal imagery as bizarre matte paintings, blacked-out areas, silk backdrops and curtains. This resulted in significant script changes, with Brass and the actors improvising scenes written to take place in entirely different locations, and sometimes shooting entirely new scenes (such as the frolicking scene that opens the film) in order to show progress while the incomplete or redone sets were unavailable. The production was plagued by delays due to disagreements between Brass and Donati over Brass not using Donati's completed sets, as well as Brass and Guccione disagreeing over the sexual content of the film.
By the time the principal photography on ''Caligula'' had completed, Vidal (having a previous issue with his involvement in the infamous ''Myra Breckinridge'') was concerned about being associated with such an out-of-control production. Fearing the film would turn out incoherent, Vidal distanced himself from the project. Of Vidal, Brass concluded, "''If I ever really get mad at Gore Vidal, I'll publish his script.''" (An early draft is included as an extra on the Imperial Edition DVD release.)
As the film entered post-production, Guccione took control of the film footage, fired Brass for running up huge costs (Guccione claims Brass shot enough film to "''make the original version of ''BenHur'' about 50 times over''"), casting actual criminals as Roman senators, and using what Guccione considered "''fat, ugly, and wrinkled old women''" in the sex scenes instead of his Penthouse Pets. (In actuality, the women weren't "ugly" or "old" at all, just not as beautiful as Guccione's models.) Guccione hired friend Giancarlo Lui to reedit the film. Lui was instructed to refashion the film into something more in keeping with what Vidal had first scripted, while delivering the sexual content demanded by Guccione; they shot and added hardcore scenes.
With much footage improvised and rewritten from the original draft of the film, Lui further scrambled, re-cut, and deleted scenes altogether. Many of the sex scenes shot by Brass were removed, replaced by approximately six minutes of hardcore sex shot by Guccione and Lui. In the end, the final cut of the film had strayed far afield from what Brass had intended. Ironically, perhaps, it bore little resemblance to what Vidal had scripted as well.
In the unpleasant aftermath, both Brass and Vidal launched independent tirades against the film and lawsuits against Guccione, delaying the release of Caligula. Vidal, who was paid $200,000 for his script, agreed to drop his contractual claim for 10% of the film profits in exchange for having his name removed from the title of the film (original billing was to have been Gore Vidal's Caligula). In 1981, Anneka Di Lorenzo, who played Messalina, sued Guccione, claiming that he damaged her career by using hardcore sexual scenes in the final cut of Caligula without her knowledge, thereby associating her with a pornographic film. After a protracted litigation, in 1990 a New York state court awarded her $60,000 in compensatory damages and $4,000,000 in punitive damages. On appeal, the punitive damages were determined to be not recoverable and the court vacated the award.
So, just to recap, costume and set designer from Roman Period Epics, Director from Italian Exploitation films, Shakespearian actors, and an exectutive producer with a background in porn. Where else are you gonna see that?
In late 1979, three years after production began, ''Caligula'' made its debut. While critics panned it, it was a commercial success, due to the fact that Guccione released it in a limited amount of theaters in theatrical space Guccione himself paid for (because many theaters had legal concerns over the X-rated content and refused to screen it) and charged more than tickets usually cost at the time (for example, $10 as opposed to $3). That, combined with increased interest due to the controversy resulted in the film turning a profit, even with its large budget and Guccione paying for theaters to screen it.
There's also a sequel, ''Messalina, Messalina'', a slapstick comedy telling the story of Messalina's marriage to Claudius, conspiracy against him, and death on his orders. Because of the legal troubles with ''Caligula'', it was technically released first, even though it was filmed and takes place after.
-----
!!''Caligula'' provides examples of:
* AdvancingWallOfDoom: The head chopping machine is a diabolically crafted work of art.
* AllThereInTheManual: According to the production notes, two of the characters played by Penthouse Pets were supposed to be Messalina (who would go onto marry Claudius) and Agrippina (mother of Nero).
* AluminumChristmasTrees: The scene where Tiberius refers to the sex slaves in his bath as his "little fishies". Most viewers would think it's just another one of those over the top sexploitation scenes put in to shock audiences. In actual fact most historians will tell you he did have something like that, and they were mostly [[ShotaCon little boys]]. So this is one case where the movie actually ''toned it down'' from the real thing.
* AmbiguouslyGay: A gay sex scene involving Gemellus and one of the guards was actually filmed, but left on the cutting room floor. Some hints as to Gemellus's sexual preferences remain in the film, but nothing that specifically identifies him as being gay.
* AncientRome: The setting of the film.
* AxCrazy: Caligula and Tiberius.
* BadassBoast: "I have existed from the morning of the world and I shall exist until the last star falls from the night. Although I have taken the form of Gaius Caligula, I am all men as I am no man and therefore I am...a God."
* BrotherSisterIncest: Caligula and Drusilla.
* CaptainObvious: Despite torturing and killing several people, not to mention making his horse Incitatus a senator, it's only after Caligula declares himself a god in front of the senate Longinus exclaims "he's mad!"
* TheCaligula: Three guesses, no prizes.
** Tiberius also qualifies.
* CostumePorn: Caligula alone has roughly ten different costumes.
* DenOfIniquity: Tiberius's mansion.
* DepravedBisexual: Caligula of course.
** Tiberius is also a textbook case of this trope.
* DrivenToSuicide [[spoiler: Nerva]] who has had enough of Tiberius's reign and can't bear the fact Caligula will be the next emperor.
* DroitDuSeigneur: What Caligula does to Proculus and his wife.
* EpicMovie: Possibly the only EpicMovie, and the only movie starring Creator/MalcolmMcDowell, Creator/HelenMirren, Peter O'Toole and Sir John Gielgud to feature unsimulated hardcore sex.
* {{Euroshlock}}: Its writer was American, but its director, setting and filming-location were Italian, and its actors were British. And its producer was American but of Italian descent. Therefore, it counts.
* FanDisservice: To give a general summary of the Disservice this film provides: There are two major orgy sequences. One features midgets, grossly disfigured women, and children. The second consists of ordinary adult men and women. Both of them are [[SarcasmMode equally arousing]].
* FollowTheLeader: All sorts of films about Caligula were made to bank on the film's infamy, like "Caligula Reincarnated As Nero". It might be called "[[ExploitationFilm Caligulasploitation]]".
* AGodAmI: "''Aye!''" "''Aye!''" "''Baaaah!''" "''Baaaah!''"
** And of course, there's the first quote of the movie: "''I have existed from the morning of the world and I shall exist until the last star falls from the heavens. Although I have taken the form of Gaius Caligula, I am all men as I am no man and so I am a god!''"
* {{Gorn}}: This film is infamous because of the gorn, and other things we would rather not describe. Including what the Website/IMDb Parental Guide describes as a [[SarcasmMode particularly nasty]] one: [[WhatDoYouMeanItsNotHeinous A WOMAN IS]] ''[[WhatDoYouMeanItsNotHeinous SLAPPED]]''.
* GratuitousDiscoSequence: The soundtrack is a combination of the kind of boombastic classical music you except to see in a Roman period piece, and [[TheSeventies '70s]] [[BowChickaWowWow Porn Music]].
* HeroicBSOD / VillainousBreakdown: Depending on your character interpretation of Caligula, he suffers one of these following the death of [[spoiler:Drusilla]].
* HollywoodHistory
* InfantImmortality: Averted, in a fairly sickening manner during the film's ending.
* KingIncognito: After [[spoiler: Drusilla's death]] Caligula takes to the streets in Rome.
* LargeHam: Caligula.
** Tiberius definitely counts as well. '''"MORE CONVICTION!!"'''
* MaleFrontalNudity:
-->'''WebVideo/TheCinemaSnob''': What are they, next to Old [=MacDonald=]'s farm? Doesn't this movie already have enough [[{{Pun}} cock]]?!
* MononymousBiopicTitle: After Caligula, obviously.
* MyGirlIsASlut: Caligula doesn't have a problem with Caesonia's history of promiscuity.
* NippleAndDimed: Completely averted.
* OnlySaneMan: Nerva seems to be both Tiberius's only real friend and the only person who dares criticize his reign to his face. [[spoiler: It still doesn't stop him committing suicide.]]
* PlotWithPorn
* PraetorianGuard: This being ancient Rome, they play a pretty big role.
* TheQueensLatin: Creator/MalcolmMcDowell, Creator/HelenMirren, Peter O'Toole, and Sir John Gielgud.
* RageAgainstTheHeavens: Caligula trashes the statue of Isis after [[spoiler: Drusilla dies of the fever]].
* RuleOfFunny: In ''Messalina, Messalina'' - most egregiously, the circumstances of Messalina's death are changed blatantly just to allow for a massive slapstick sequence.
* SanitySlippage: Even before [[spoiler: Drusilla's death]], Caligula is on a downward spiral towards insanity.
* SchizoTech: Wow, they never taught us in history class that the Romans had a giant wall/car/thing with lawnmower blades on the bottom that could move forwards and [[OffWithHisHead decapitate people]] buried up to their necks in the dirt in front of it!
* SceneryPorn: Say what you will about what's happening in the film, many of the sets are rather beautiful.
** And in the case of the orgy scene, it takes on a literal meaning.
* TheStarscream: Longinus. Macro is set up to be this early in the film, but Caligula decides that he's too much of a potential liability and disposes of him.
* TakeThat:
** According to MalcolmMcDowell's commentary track on the DVD, the scene where Caligula lines people up and has Gemellus identify the culprit who killed Tiberius, was a jab at Guccione who did something similar after one of the dancers shoved one of the Penthouse Pets.
** Like wise, Tinto Brass used plain looking people in the orgy scenes and deliberately shot the sexual footage as comical and softcore to spite Guccione. This [[BullyingADragon backfired]] horribly.
* TearsOfBlood: As seen on most of the film's poster art.
** These may also be shed by the audience upon viewing the film.
* ThreeWaySex: At one point Caligula has a threesome with his wife and sister.
* UnproblematicProstitution
* VillainProtagonist: Caligula
* VomitIndiscretionShot: When [[spoiler:Caligula]] comes down with the fever he pukes into the camera. Making matters worse, according to MalcolmMcDowell it was real vomit.
* WhatDoYouMeanItWasntMadeOnDrugs
* WithGreatPowerComesGreatInsanity
* TheWrongfulHeirToTheThrone: Nerva commits suicide because he thinks Caligula will be such a bad Emperor.
* YourHeadAsplode: [[spoiler:A baby's head is smashed on a staircase.]] Something the Website/IMDb [[http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0080491/parentalguide Parental Guide]] makes sure to mark as "[[{{Gorn}} UNRATED VERY BLOODY DISTURBING]]".
LoveItOrHateIt, never, in the history of the world, will there ever be another movie like ''Caligula''. And never, in the history of this website, will there ever be a movie more difficult than ''Caligula'' to describe.
It all began with Creator/GoreVidal writing a screenplay about the life of the infamous Roman Emperor UsefulNotes/{{Caligula}}, based on an unproduced television mini-series by Roberto Rossellini. Though Vidal and Franco Rossellini (Roberto's nephew) originally only intended for it to be a modestly-budgeted historical drama; when they couldn't obtain funding they went to none other than the founder of ''Penthouse Magazine'' Bob Guccione. And it's actually not his first film, either. Previously, Guccione produced ''Film/{{Chinatown}}''. Yes, really.
Guccione agreed to finance ''Caligula'' on [[ExecutiveMeddling two conditions:]] 1, that it would be tarted up into a lavish, flamboyant spectacle akin to the SwordAndSandal epics of the 50s; and 2, [[HotterAndSexier that sex would be incorporated to promote the magazine]]. During the rewrites, Vidal's screenplay was rewritten to tone down the homosexual content, at Guccione's insistence.
Federico Fellini's art director Danilo Donati was hired to build the expensive and complex sets and costumes. Renowned acting talent, including Creator/MalcolmMcDowell, Creator/HelenMirren, Creator/PeterOToole and Sir Creator/JohnGielgud were cast. Maria Schneider was originally cast as Caligula's doomed sister Drusilla, but later dropped out and was replaced by Teresa Ann Savoy. After Guccione was unable to come to an agreement with more established directors JohnHuston and Lina Wertmuller, Tinto Brass, a relatively young Italian director who'd produced an artsy big budget [[FollowTheLeader progenitor]] to the {{Nazisploitation}} genre called ''Salon Kitty'' that Guccione had taken a shine to was made the head instead. Caligula production was housed in Dear Studios, Rome, where the infamous ''Film/{{Cleopatra}}'' was filmed thirteen years earlier. Shooting commenced in September 1976, with plans for a 1977 release.
From the start, Caligula was plagued by difficulties. According to Guccione in a 1980 ''Penthouse'' magazine interview, Vidal (whom Guccione called a "''prodigious talent''") started trouble with a ''Time'' magazine interview in which he called directors parasites living off writers, and that the director need only follow the directions as provided by the author of the screenplay. According to Guccione, an enraged Brass responded to Vidal's comments by throwing Vidal out of the studio. Guccione was forced to side with Brass (whom he called "''a megalomaniac''") because "''Gore's work was basically done and Tinto's work was about to begin.''"
Casting and logistical issues were problems. Uncomfortable with the sex and nudity in the script, the female lead Schneider quickly resigned from the film, to be replaced with Teresa as said earlier. It was soon apparent to the filmmakers that the aggressive shooting schedule developed by the inexperienced Rossellini and Guccione was unrealistic for a film of such scope. Donati had to scrap some of his more elaborate original ideas for the sets and replace them with such surreal imagery as bizarre matte paintings, blacked-out areas, silk backdrops and curtains. This resulted in significant script changes, with Brass and the actors improvising scenes written to take place in entirely different locations, and sometimes shooting entirely new scenes (such as the frolicking scene that opens the film) in order to show progress while the incomplete or redone sets were unavailable. The production was plagued by delays due to disagreements between Brass and Donati over Brass not using Donati's completed sets, as well as Brass and Guccione disagreeing over the sexual content of the film.
By the time the principal photography on ''Caligula'' had completed, Vidal (having a previous issue with his involvement in the infamous ''Myra Breckinridge'') was concerned about being associated with such an out-of-control production. Fearing the film would turn out incoherent, Vidal distanced himself from the project. Of Vidal, Brass concluded, "''If I ever really get mad at Gore Vidal, I'll publish his script.''" (An early draft is included as an extra on the Imperial Edition DVD release.)
As the film entered post-production, Guccione took control of the film footage, fired Brass for running up huge costs (Guccione claims Brass shot enough film to "''make the original version of ''BenHur'' about 50 times over''"), casting actual criminals as Roman senators, and using what Guccione considered "''fat, ugly, and wrinkled old women''" in the sex scenes instead of his Penthouse Pets. (In actuality, the women weren't "ugly" or "old" at all, just not as beautiful as Guccione's models.) Guccione hired friend Giancarlo Lui to reedit the film. Lui was instructed to refashion the film into something more in keeping with what Vidal had first scripted, while delivering the sexual content demanded by Guccione; they shot and added hardcore scenes.
With much footage improvised and rewritten from the original draft of the film, Lui further scrambled, re-cut, and deleted scenes altogether. Many of the sex scenes shot by Brass were removed, replaced by approximately six minutes of hardcore sex shot by Guccione and Lui. In the end, the final cut of the film had strayed far afield from what Brass had intended. Ironically, perhaps, it bore little resemblance to what Vidal had scripted as well.
In the unpleasant aftermath, both Brass and Vidal launched independent tirades against the film and lawsuits against Guccione, delaying the release of Caligula. Vidal, who was paid $200,000 for his script, agreed to drop his contractual claim for 10% of the film profits in exchange for having his name removed from the title of the film (original billing was to have been Gore Vidal's Caligula). In 1981, Anneka Di Lorenzo, who played Messalina, sued Guccione, claiming that he damaged her career by using hardcore sexual scenes in the final cut of Caligula without her knowledge, thereby associating her with a pornographic film. After a protracted litigation, in 1990 a New York state court awarded her $60,000 in compensatory damages and $4,000,000 in punitive damages. On appeal, the punitive damages were determined to be not recoverable and the court vacated the award.
So, just to recap, costume and set designer from Roman Period Epics, Director from Italian Exploitation films, Shakespearian actors, and an exectutive producer with a background in porn. Where else are you gonna see that?
In late 1979, three years after production began, ''Caligula'' made its debut. While critics panned it, it was a commercial success, due to the fact that Guccione released it in a limited amount of theaters in theatrical space Guccione himself paid for (because many theaters had legal concerns over the X-rated content and refused to screen it) and charged more than tickets usually cost at the time (for example, $10 as opposed to $3). That, combined with increased interest due to the controversy resulted in the film turning a profit, even with its large budget and Guccione paying for theaters to screen it.
There's also a sequel, ''Messalina, Messalina'', a slapstick comedy telling the story of Messalina's marriage to Claudius, conspiracy against him, and death on his orders. Because of the legal troubles with ''Caligula'', it was technically released first, even though it was filmed and takes place after.
-----
!!''Caligula'' provides examples of:
* AdvancingWallOfDoom: The head chopping machine is a diabolically crafted work of art.
* AllThereInTheManual: According to the production notes, two of the characters played by Penthouse Pets were supposed to be Messalina (who would go onto marry Claudius) and Agrippina (mother of Nero).
* AluminumChristmasTrees: The scene where Tiberius refers to the sex slaves in his bath as his "little fishies". Most viewers would think it's just another one of those over the top sexploitation scenes put in to shock audiences. In actual fact most historians will tell you he did have something like that, and they were mostly [[ShotaCon little boys]]. So this is one case where the movie actually ''toned it down'' from the real thing.
* AmbiguouslyGay: A gay sex scene involving Gemellus and one of the guards was actually filmed, but left on the cutting room floor. Some hints as to Gemellus's sexual preferences remain in the film, but nothing that specifically identifies him as being gay.
* AncientRome: The setting of the film.
* AxCrazy: Caligula and Tiberius.
* BadassBoast: "I have existed from the morning of the world and I shall exist until the last star falls from the night. Although I have taken the form of Gaius Caligula, I am all men as I am no man and therefore I am...a God."
* BrotherSisterIncest: Caligula and Drusilla.
* CaptainObvious: Despite torturing and killing several people, not to mention making his horse Incitatus a senator, it's only after Caligula declares himself a god in front of the senate Longinus exclaims "he's mad!"
* TheCaligula: Three guesses, no prizes.
** Tiberius also qualifies.
* CostumePorn: Caligula alone has roughly ten different costumes.
* DenOfIniquity: Tiberius's mansion.
* DepravedBisexual: Caligula of course.
** Tiberius is also a textbook case of this trope.
* DrivenToSuicide [[spoiler: Nerva]] who has had enough of Tiberius's reign and can't bear the fact Caligula will be the next emperor.
* DroitDuSeigneur: What Caligula does to Proculus and his wife.
* EpicMovie: Possibly the only EpicMovie, and the only movie starring Creator/MalcolmMcDowell, Creator/HelenMirren, Peter O'Toole and Sir John Gielgud to feature unsimulated hardcore sex.
* {{Euroshlock}}: Its writer was American, but its director, setting and filming-location were Italian, and its actors were British. And its producer was American but of Italian descent. Therefore, it counts.
* FanDisservice: To give a general summary of the Disservice this film provides: There are two major orgy sequences. One features midgets, grossly disfigured women, and children. The second consists of ordinary adult men and women. Both of them are [[SarcasmMode equally arousing]].
* FollowTheLeader: All sorts of films about Caligula were made to bank on the film's infamy, like "Caligula Reincarnated As Nero". It might be called "[[ExploitationFilm Caligulasploitation]]".
* AGodAmI: "''Aye!''" "''Aye!''" "''Baaaah!''" "''Baaaah!''"
** And of course, there's the first quote of the movie: "''I have existed from the morning of the world and I shall exist until the last star falls from the heavens. Although I have taken the form of Gaius Caligula, I am all men as I am no man and so I am a god!''"
* {{Gorn}}: This film is infamous because of the gorn, and other things we would rather not describe. Including what the Website/IMDb Parental Guide describes as a [[SarcasmMode particularly nasty]] one: [[WhatDoYouMeanItsNotHeinous A WOMAN IS]] ''[[WhatDoYouMeanItsNotHeinous SLAPPED]]''.
* GratuitousDiscoSequence: The soundtrack is a combination of the kind of boombastic classical music you except to see in a Roman period piece, and [[TheSeventies '70s]] [[BowChickaWowWow Porn Music]].
* HeroicBSOD / VillainousBreakdown: Depending on your character interpretation of Caligula, he suffers one of these following the death of [[spoiler:Drusilla]].
* HollywoodHistory
* InfantImmortality: Averted, in a fairly sickening manner during the film's ending.
* KingIncognito: After [[spoiler: Drusilla's death]] Caligula takes to the streets in Rome.
* LargeHam: Caligula.
** Tiberius definitely counts as well. '''"MORE CONVICTION!!"'''
* MaleFrontalNudity:
-->'''WebVideo/TheCinemaSnob''': What are they, next to Old [=MacDonald=]'s farm? Doesn't this movie already have enough [[{{Pun}} cock]]?!
* MononymousBiopicTitle: After Caligula, obviously.
* MyGirlIsASlut: Caligula doesn't have a problem with Caesonia's history of promiscuity.
* NippleAndDimed: Completely averted.
* OnlySaneMan: Nerva seems to be both Tiberius's only real friend and the only person who dares criticize his reign to his face. [[spoiler: It still doesn't stop him committing suicide.]]
* PlotWithPorn
* PraetorianGuard: This being ancient Rome, they play a pretty big role.
* TheQueensLatin: Creator/MalcolmMcDowell, Creator/HelenMirren, Peter O'Toole, and Sir John Gielgud.
* RageAgainstTheHeavens: Caligula trashes the statue of Isis after [[spoiler: Drusilla dies of the fever]].
* RuleOfFunny: In ''Messalina, Messalina'' - most egregiously, the circumstances of Messalina's death are changed blatantly just to allow for a massive slapstick sequence.
* SanitySlippage: Even before [[spoiler: Drusilla's death]], Caligula is on a downward spiral towards insanity.
* SchizoTech: Wow, they never taught us in history class that the Romans had a giant wall/car/thing with lawnmower blades on the bottom that could move forwards and [[OffWithHisHead decapitate people]] buried up to their necks in the dirt in front of it!
* SceneryPorn: Say what you will about what's happening in the film, many of the sets are rather beautiful.
** And in the case of the orgy scene, it takes on a literal meaning.
* TheStarscream: Longinus. Macro is set up to be this early in the film, but Caligula decides that he's too much of a potential liability and disposes of him.
* TakeThat:
** According to MalcolmMcDowell's commentary track on the DVD, the scene where Caligula lines people up and has Gemellus identify the culprit who killed Tiberius, was a jab at Guccione who did something similar after one of the dancers shoved one of the Penthouse Pets.
** Like wise, Tinto Brass used plain looking people in the orgy scenes and deliberately shot the sexual footage as comical and softcore to spite Guccione. This [[BullyingADragon backfired]] horribly.
* TearsOfBlood: As seen on most of the film's poster art.
** These may also be shed by the audience upon viewing the film.
* ThreeWaySex: At one point Caligula has a threesome with his wife and sister.
* UnproblematicProstitution
* VillainProtagonist: Caligula
* VomitIndiscretionShot: When [[spoiler:Caligula]] comes down with the fever he pukes into the camera. Making matters worse, according to MalcolmMcDowell it was real vomit.
* WhatDoYouMeanItWasntMadeOnDrugs
* WithGreatPowerComesGreatInsanity
* TheWrongfulHeirToTheThrone: Nerva commits suicide because he thinks Caligula will be such a bad Emperor.
* YourHeadAsplode: [[spoiler:A baby's head is smashed on a staircase.]] Something the Website/IMDb [[http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0080491/parentalguide Parental Guide]] makes sure to mark as "[[{{Gorn}} UNRATED VERY BLOODY DISTURBING]]".
