Caligula: The Ultimate Cut gets first trailer revealing the restored controversial film

Drafthouse Films is set to release a new recut and 4K restoration of the infamous period film Caligula, centered around the notorious Roman Emperor known for his madness.

The film originally premiered in Italy in 1979 but faced numerous edits and cuts before being screened worldwide the following year.

The newly remastered uncut version, running at 178 minutes, has received approval from lead actor Malcom McDowell (portraying Caligula) and will mark the first widespread release of the fully uncut film.

In addition to unseen footage, the new release will feature alternate takes, camera angles, and a comprehensive presentation of the narrative for the first time.

Although the uncut restoration premiered in May, Drafthouse acquired the licensing for the film after its debut at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival and will showcase it in theaters on August 16th. A streaming version and a 4K UHD Blu-ray release will follow, with the latter including fresh interviews with the cast and crew.

Malcom McDowell stars as Caligula, alongside Helen Mirren as Caesonia, Peter O’Toole as Tiberius, and John Gielgud as Nerva.

Directed by Tinto Brass and written by Gore Vidal, the film faced controversy due to extensive post-production edits and explicit scenes suggested by Penthouse founder Bob Guccione.

Decades later, art historian Thomas Negovan discovered nearly a hundred hours of original Caligula footage in the Penthouse archive, leading to the creation of the new “Ultimate Cut” that eliminates Guccione’s influence and aligns more closely with Vidal’s vision.

Producer Negovan expressed relief that Drafthouse Films would be involved in bringing the film to American audiences, while McDowell welcomed the reconstruction that honors the original intentions of the cast and crew.

The restoration is described as an extensive reconstruction of the 1980 spectacle, focusing on the rise and fall of Caligula in the Roman Empire, portrayed by Malcolm McDowell alongside Helen Mirren as his wife Caesonia.

Check out the new trailer for a glimpse of Caligula: The Ultimate Cut:

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.