Having passed through the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, the new cut of “Caligula” will be released in French theaters on June 19.
“Caligula reinvents itself”, the press release tells us. Which takes up the shocking phrase accompanying the presentation, in the Classics section of the 76th Cannes Film Festival, of the version “Ultimate Cut” from Tinto Brass’ sulphurous peplum, released in 1980 in French cinemas and back on June 19.
For once, the expression is completely justified, because the feature film has not only gained 21 minutes in the process. He also lost his ban on under-18s, since the new assembly is “only” Forbidden to under 16s.
And producer Thomas Negovan is more the author than Tinto Brass, credited, as in 1980, with directing the main shots. Since none of his shots were used in this film which, even more than the Snyder Cut compared to Justice League, can be seen as a completely different feature film.
A way of giving a second chance to this film which we remember above all for its chaotic filming. The artistic differences (between Tinto Brass, screenwriter Gore Vidal and producer Bob Guccione) or even the delays which cost the production a fortune. And the scandal caused by its result, violent and decadent.
Four decades later, Caligula has undoubtedly lost none of his sulphurous side (even if connoisseurs who missed him at Cannes or at L’Étrange Festival will be able to judge on the evidence from June 19) and he tells the same history.
A long restoration work
Or the way in which Caligula (Malcolm McDowell), after assassinating Emperor Tiberius (Peter O’Toole), his adoptive grandfather, seizes power and drags the Roman Empire into its madness through acts of violence , lust and humiliation.
The result of extensive restoration work, carried out from the original camera negatives and original audio, Caligula – The Ultimate Cut is, we are told, more focused on the actors (including Helen Mirren), in order to better sublimate them and allow a new approach to the madness of the emperor.
The most impatient can therefore mark the date of June 19 in their diary. And start waiting.