The UK Theatrical Cut on the Unobstructed View Blu-ray was compared with the original Theatrical Cut on the Tiberius Film Blu-ray
 

Caligula: background & versions

Rome in the year 37 AD: Emperor Tiberius chooses his nephew Caligula as his successor to the office of Roman Emperor. His only living relatives are his youthful foster son Gemellus and his simple-minded son Claudius. Caligula murders Tiberius in order to come to power more quickly. Caligula gradually falls for the charms of power, with only his sister Drusilla, with whom he has a love affair, able to keep him in check. After Drusilla's death, Caligula's excesses begin to derail and his closest confidants plot to murder him.

Caligula is a unique film in many respects. When it was released in cinemas in 1979, it caused a real scandal. The audience was treated to a lavish historical epic with world-famous stars and plenty of sex and violence. The sex scenes were sometimes so explicit that the film is sometimes described as the most expensive porno in film history. By the time of theatrical version, Caligula had already had an eventful history.

Caligula was produced by Bob Guccione, the founder of Penthouse magazine. Penthouse had already been involved in film productions in the past, but Caligula was the first complete production of its own and therefore a prestige project. The screenplay was written by Gore Vidal and directed by Tinto Brass, who had worked on a similar project with his previous film Salon Kitty. Elaborate sets were built and big stars such as Malcolm McDowell, Peter O'Toole and Helen Mirren were engaged. However, Guccione was dissatisfied with the editing of Brass and took over the film. Various editors worked on the film and Guccione had additional hardcore scenes shot by Giancarlo Lui cut into the movie. Brass distanced himself from Caligula, as did Gore Vidal. For many years, it was mainly the “Alternate Cut” (report) and some deleted scenes in the bonus material of some releases that bore witness to the original vision.

UK theatrical version released on Blu-ray/UHD

In 2023, Caligula - The Ultimate Cut, a completely new cut, was released that fixes many of the flaws of the theatrical version. In the wake of this release, further cut versions have now emerged. One of them can be found surprisingly on the Canadian Blu-ray / UHD from Unobstructed View. In addition to Caligula - The Ultimate Cut, there is a separate UHD or Blu-ray with the UK theatrical version. On the cover, this is incorrectly labeled as the original US theatrical version from 1980, which can lead to confusion. According to information on the Blu-ray, a print was found in a Boston warehouse that was scanned on the assumption that it was the US theatrical version. It is somewhat surprising that this version was not examined more closely. The running time alone would have suggested that it could not be the commonly known theatrical version.

Caligula.org provides a very detailed overview of the various edited versions of the film. The version that can now be found on the Canadian Blu-ray/UHD is named under point 20.

The theatrical cut for the UK was edited to remove various sex and violence scenes. It is noteworthy, however, that alternative footage was used in some cases and that many of these scenes cannot be found in any other release of the film. For example, the orgy when Caligula visits Tiberius, the love play between the women behind the wall or the brothel sequence towards the end of the film contain many new scenes that are only included in the UK theatrical version. The UK theatrical version may have been toned down, but the alternative material still makes it look good.

Picture comparison:

Canadian Blu-ray (UK theatrical version):

German Blu-ray (Original Theatrical version):

Running times:

UK theatrical version: 149:19 min.

Theatrical version: 155:59 min.

[00:00:00][00:00:00]

The UK starts with the note “By Arrangement with Penthouse Clubs International Establishment”.

UK: 5 sec.


[00:00:05][00:00:00]

On the German Blu-ray, the text at the beginning is in German. The same difference can be seen later in the opening credits.

Canadian Blu-ray (UK theatrical version)	German Blu-ray

No time difference (each 1:02 min.)


[00:03:28][00:03:24]

Before the title appears, we see Caligula and Drusilla lying next to the tree kissing.

Theatrical Version: 9 sec.


[00:05:52][00:05:57]

Caligula and Drusilla can be seen in bed for longer after they kiss. They continue to talk about Marcellus. After that, Caligula and Drusilla can be seen on the bed earlier. This edit was probably necessary because Drusilla's intimate area can be clearly seen.

Theatrical Version: 15 sec.


[00:09:37][00:09:57]

As Caligula walks down the steps to the pool, the camera pans over some women holding babies in their hands.

Theatrical Version: 6 sec.


[00:12:51][00:13:17]

As Tiberius gets dressed, the UK theatrical version shows one of the women by the pool.

In the theatrical version, the camera pans over two of the women with their toddlers.

UK: 5 sec.
Theatrical Version: 5 sec.


[00:16:45][00:17:12]

We see Marco tying the soldier's penis.

Theatrical Version: 5 sec.


[00:16:55][00:17:26]

As the soldier is being given the wine, the theatrical cut cuts to a woman masturbating.

Theatrical Version: 3 sec.


[00:17:11][00:17:46]

The camera pans a little further to a woman hanging in the air.

Theatrical Version: 1 sec.


[00:17:17][00:17:53]

The camera pans up to the woman earlier. You can see that she is holding a penis in her hand.

Theatrical Version: 1 sec.


[00:17:32][00:18:09]

The theatrical version briefly shows the man inserting his penis into the woman.

Theatrical Version: 1 sec.


[00:17:45][00:18:23]

The UK theatrical version shows a woman lying on the back of a kneeling man when Caligula looks around.

The theatrical version instead shows a woman sitting on a swing.

UK: 2 sec.
Theatrical Version: 2 sec.


[00:18:10][00:18:49]

The theatrical cut shows a man masturbating. The following camera pan across the orgy participants starts earlier. You can see how the woman masturbates.

Theatrical Version: 4 sec.


[00:18:11][00:18:53]

During the orgy, the UK theatrical version shows two women making love. Another woman is pushed around by a man like a wheelbarrow. Another pan across women and men follows. Two women have flowers in front of their intimate areas.

The theatrical version shows more scenes from the orgy. Caligula looks around.

UK: 18 sec.
Theatrical Version: 15 sec.


[00:18:31][00:19:10]

The UK theatrical cut shows some softer shots of the orgy. These include the women making love again and the women with the flowers in front of their intimate areas. Caligula looks around. Then there is a brief cut to the woman with the snake.

[img-00 44.jpg]

The theatrical cut shows some sex scenes from the orgy, including intercourse, oral sex and masturbation.

UK: 24 sec.
Theatrical Version: 23 sec.


[00:18:58][00:19:37]

The UK theatrical version shows the man with the horns.

The theatrical version shows an alternative shot of the man. His large penis can be seen.

UK: 1 sec.
Theatrical Version: 1 sec.


[00:19:21][00:20:01]

When Caligula turns around, two women and a man can be seen making love in the UK theatrical version.

The theatrical cut cuts to the orgy. A man has his hand on a woman's vagina.

UK: 3 sec.
Theatrical Version: 3 sec.


[00:20:17][00:20:56]

A gap in the theatrical version: Caligula continues down the steps. The follow-up shot begins earlier.

Theatrical Version: 1 sec.


[00:20:46][00:21:27]

The pan across Caligula and Tiberius starts earlier. In it, we see a woman sitting on a large phallus.

Theatrical Version: 5 sec.


[00:21:20][00:22:05]

You see more of the blood spattering on the ground after Tiberius has stuck the sword in the soldier's stomach.

Theatrical Version: 3 sec.


[00:21:26][00:22:14]

The camera pans up the soldier earlier.

Theatrical Version: 3 sec.


[00:32:20][00:33:12]

The theatrical version shows earlier how the naked dead woman is laid on the floor.

Theatrical Version: 3 sec.


[00:32:33][00:33:28]

The camera pans across the chained women earlier.

Theatrical Version 2 sec.


[00:32:48][00:33:45]

A woman washes her intimate area.

Theatrical Version: 3 sec.


[00:33:33][00:34:33]

A woman rubs herself against a pole, while a bloody cloth can be seen in the background.

Theatrical Version: 3 sec.


[00:33:36][00:34:39]

A woman is being forced to insert a wedge between her legs. A man impaled on a stake can be seen. The camera pan on the tied-up man begins earlier.

Theatrical Version: 5 sec.


[00:33:40][00:34:48]

A woman is rubbing herself against a rope that is covered with thorns.

Theatrical Version: 2 sec.


[00:33:42][00:34:51]

The woman can be seen being whipped for a longer period of time. The follow-up shot begins earlier.

Theatrical Version: 5 sec.


[00:41:00][00:42:14]

Master error in the UK theatrical version: Caligula can be seen longer showing the ring to the dead Tiberius. After that, Caligula can be seen earlier.

Theatrical Version: 2 sec.


[00:48:52][00:50:09]

In the theatrical UK version, Caligula sees two men performing oral sex behind the wall. He runs to them.

The theatrical cut shows explicit shots of this.

UK: 7 sec.
Theatrical Version: 8 sec.


[00:54:25][00:55:43]

The UK theatrical version shows a shot of Caligula walking towards Ennia.

The theatrical version shows several men standing around Ennia and masturbating. Some ejaculate into a bowl. Caligula walks over to her.

UK: 14 sec.
Theatrical Version: 15 sec.


[00:59:32][01:00:51]

The theatrical cut of the film in the UK has a longer scene with Caligula and Drusilla. The follow-up shot begins earlier.

Theatrical Version: 1 sec.


[01:00:14][01:01:33]

The UK theatrical version shows two priestesses kissing.

The theatrical version shows a shot of the priestesses lying in the water.

UK: 2 sec.
Theatrical Version: 2 sec.


[01:00:58][01:02:18]

The UK theatrical cut cuts to the priestesses in the water.

The theatrical cut shows one of the priestesses masturbating.

UK: 5 sec.
Theatrical Version: 2 sec.


[01:01:08][01:02:25]

The UK cuts to the priestesses in the water.

The theatrical version shows two priestesses performing cunnilingus. One of the priestesses masturbates, and then more scenes of the priestesses making love are shown.

UK: 2 sec.
Theatrical Version: 10 sec.


[01:01:15][01:02:40]

Theatrical Version briefly shows the genital area of one of the priestesses.

Theatrical Version: 1 sec.


[01:01:16][01:02:42]

The UK theatrical version shows two of the priestesses in the water.

The theatrical version shows the intimate area of one of the priestesses again.

UK: 8 sec.
Theatrical Version: 1 sec.


[01:12:58][01:14:19]

When Caligula has finished having sex with Livia, he runs his middle finger along her vagina. Blood sticks to it.

Theatrical Version: 12 sec.


[01:13:02][01:14:35]

Livia turns further to the side. Blood can be seen on her butt.

Theatrical Version: 4 sec.


[01:14:01][01:15:38]

Caligula slaps a load of fat onto Proculus's butt. He also pushes his hand into the bucket of fat. He places his fist on Proculus's butt and says that this is done in the name of the Senate.

Theatrical Version: 25 sec.


[01:14:04][01:16:06]

The theatrical cut cuts to Livia crying. We now hear Caligula say that this is being done in the name of the Senate.

UK: 1 sec.


[01:14:10][01:16:11]

Caligula pulls his hand out of Proculus's butt again. Disgusted, he shakes it out.

Theatrical Version: 10 sec.