Fully Reimagined + Restored in 4K UHD
Absolute power corrupts in CALIGULA: THE ULTIMATE CUT, an extensive reconstruction of the notorious 1980 spectacle. Shadowed by the murder of his family, Caligula (Malcolm McDowell) eliminates his devious adoptive grandfather (Peter O’Toole) and seizes control of the Roman Empire alongside his wife Caesonia (Helen Mirren) before descending into a spiral of depravity, destruction, and madness. World Premiere, 2023 Cannes Film Festival.
Opens in theaters throughout North America starting August 16th, followed by a release on 4K UHD Blu-ray and digital platforms
North American Theatrical Rollout Schedule (to-date)
August 16th / NYC / IFC Center – preview Q&A screening 8/14
August 16th / Los Angeles / Nuart
August 16th / Los Angeles / Alamo DTLA – preview Q&A screening 8/15
August 16th / Atlanta / Plaza Theater
August 16th / Boston / Somerville Theatre
August 16th / Santa Fe / CCA Cinema
August 16th / St. Louis / Hi-Point
August 16th / Toronto / Revue Cinema
August 17th / Vancouver / Rio Theatre
August 17th / Ottawa / Mayfair Theatre
August 23rd / NYC / Roxy Cinema
August 23rd / Austin / Alamo South Lamar
August 23rd / Montréal / Cinèma du parc
August 23rd / Boston / Alamo Seaport – one-off
August 23rd / Denver / Alamo Sloans Lake – one-off
August 23rd / Brooklyn / Alamo Downtown Brooklyn – one-off
August 23rd / Raleigh / Alamo Raleigh – one-off
August 23rd / El Paso / Alamo Montecillo – one-off
August 23rd / Houston / Alamo LeCenterra – one-off
August 23rd / Omaha / Alamo La Vista – one-off
August 23rd / Springfield, MO / Alamo Springfield – one-off
August 23rd / Winchester, VA / Alamo Winchester – one-off
August 23rd / Los Angeles / The Frida
August 23rd / Cleveland / The Cleveland Cinematheque
August 23rd / Saskatoon / The Broadway Theatre – one-off
August 30th / Los Angeles / Lumiere Music Hall
August 30th / St. Louis / Arkadin Cinema & Bar – one-off
August 30th / Arabi, LA / Zeitgeist Theatre & Lounge
August 30th / Las Vegas / The Beverly Theater
August 30th / Chicago / Alamo Chicago
About ‘The Ultimate Cut’
CALIGULA: THE ULTIMATE CUT is a complete reconstruction of one of cinema’s most lavish-yet-notorious productions in a glorious 4K Ultra High Definition restoration. This presentation of the legendary title made its World Premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in 2023, introducing both new generations of movie audiences and classic filmgoers. Its miraculous reconstruction, comprised of 100% of never before seen footage, uses alternate takes and camera angles, and features – for the first time – the complete film narrative.
Initially Released in 1980, CALIGULA was the most expensive independent film in cinema history but had a tumultuous journey to the screen. Written by the esteemed Gore Vidal and headed by the stellar cast of Malcolm McDowell, Dame Helen Mirren, Peter O’Toole and Sir John Gielgud, CALIGULA was meant to be an epic showcase of the generation’s finest talent, addressing the corrupting influence of power amid the rampant sexuality of the Roman court.
However, Penthouse founder (and the film’s financier) Bob Guccione seized control of the negative, randomly inserting graphic scenes of unsimulated sex and gratuitous violence. The cast and film team disavowed what had become a blatant desecration of Vidal’s themes, who sued to have his name removed from the project. The extensive coverage of behind-the-scenes notoriety also had an unexpected effect: the film was a box office success.
CALIGULA: THE ULTIMATE CUT aligns closely to Vidal’s original script, especially with the addition of a prologue that illustrates one of Vidal’s missing scenes, created by noted graphic artist Dave McKean (Grant Morrison’s Arkham Asylum, Neil Gaiman’s Sandman). Nearly 100 hours of original footage was discovered by the film’s reconstructionist, film historian Thomas Negovan, in the Penthouse archive, which showcases astounding performances from the film’s cast, fully realizing McDowell’s complex, charismatic ‘Caligula’ and resurrecting Mirren’s layered character arc, which now cements the film’s final hour.
