MovieChat Forums > Caligola (1980) Discussion > WHY I WATCHED "CALIGULA"

WHY I WATCHED "CALIGULA"

posted 9 years ago by murdoch1111
12 replies | jump to latest

What I describe herein is the truth.

I'd been to Italy before, I was planning to go again, and so I decided to see "Caligula" in order to learn more about ancient Roman history.

Little did I know that instead of watching an accurate historical movie I would see the most violent, vulgar, disgustingly pornographic film I can imagine viewing.

The Canadian literary theorist Northrop Frye once observed that the function of pornographic material is to stun and numb the viewer. His statement is correct, as is indicated by the following facts. After arriving at the film 30 minutes late, I noticed that everyone in the audience was silent. They had been stunned and numbed because of the opening scenes.

The film is disgusting to the last degree. It is more than disgusting; it is appalling. I regret bitterly that I watched it, and I regret even more that I was inadvertently hoodwinked into doing so.

[–] Carpenter_Fan 9 years ago

How were you "hoodwinked" into watching it ?

Did you not know the film contained extreme violence and sexual content ?

The content in the film is extremely well publicized and documented.

"We're all afraid of the dark inside ourselves." - Sam Loomis

[–] shwen 9 years ago

same feelings here.

I didn't know what it's about other than seeing the title about Pagan Rome. after 30 mins of viewing, i was disgusted about the pervertness of the film.

[–] ilovemybrains 9 years ago

agreed. beyond revolting

[–] firechicken 9 years ago

Yet, you lying bitches didn't just walk out of the theatre...but stayed there and watched the WHOLE MOVIE?

BAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHA.....then you went home, rubbed one (or 2) out.....and later that week, rented the VHS tape to fap to it some more. Now you either own the remastered version on DVD or downloaded it in it's highest resolution....or BOTH.

[–] PussyCrusher_Principal 8 years ago

Aw, come on, can't you see they were all too "numbed and stunned" to even stand up lol. DAMN YOU GUCCIONE,

[–] Yukandueet 8 years ago

I watched it for the dirty filthy porn. 

[–] Nexus71 8 years ago



I have a couple of questions:

1)Where have you been living not knowing of the infamous reputation of this movie?
2)Who even advised to watch this movie thinking it would be a 'good" example of Roman history?
3)Should the name Bob Guccione not have rung a bell that this movie wasn't your run of the mill Cecil B.de Mille movie?

Some good examples of Roman epics would be Quo Vadis,Spartacus,The Fall Of The Roman Empire,Cleopatra,The Robe,Ben Hur(although a lot of those revolve around christianity the decors are quite impressive).

For a somewhat more realistic view of Roman history I would also want to advise ;

I Claudius (BBC series)
Rome (there is sex and violence in this one as well be warned)(HBO series)

[–] jasonschultz62 8 years ago

I'm just a big fan of Malcolm McDowell.

[–] zedsdeadbb 8 years ago

This film is not disgusting.. it's probably a lot more realistic about how things were back then than anything film makers can dream up. You being numb and stunned by this makes me happy for you, because you have been sheltered enough to think things like this didn't happen.

[–] Lootrock 8 years ago

I agree with Zedsdeadbb! Blame your naivete. Should've known what was up by the fact that it was associated with Penthouse.

As for me, I watched it for Helen Mirren(butt naked) primarily, and secondly to really see the contents of the film(I actually read Playboy for the articles). I didn't know it had such a low rating actually before I watched it. Don't regret it at all.