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You know what's interesting? Caligula was only 16 when he became emperor. He reigned for four years, at which point he was assassinated. Yet his name is far better known than other emperors who reigned much longer. Also, his age may explain some of his peculiarities...his sexual reputation, but also his disregard for the Roman military...including having them line up in formation and then sending them to the beach to pick up seas shells. According to Dr. Steven Tuck, it was also his lack of military experience and his tenure which came right after that of a deified emperor (Tiberius) that had something to do with this.
Watch the movie. Despite its reputation as a porn film it presents quite a hsitorically accurate account of some of the stunts he pulled as emperor. Of course it is full of nudity but remarkably little explicit sex is in the film. It gives a very good idea of why he was assassinated. I saw it about ten years ago and it is actually very well done.
I was unaware that there was any movie about the emperor. Sounds interesting…was the actor used a teenager like in real life?
Caligula was played by Malcolm McDowellhttp://www.imdb.com/title/tt0080491/If I recall correctly, the movie was rated x when it first came out. If it is historically accurate, I'll have to check it out.
It was rated X when it was first released. I dont know if the rating has been changed but it is definitely worth seeing. Malcolm McDowell gives as good a performance in Caligula as he did in A Clockwork Orange, incidentally that movie is also a must see.
It looks like is has an impressive cast – John Gielgud, Peter O'Toole, Helen Mirren. And the number of extras/cast looks like they must have put a lot of work into it. But based on what I've read about it over at IMDB, I think it's too hardcore/shocking for something I'd want to watch. I might just have to stick with watching documentaries about the Roman emperors.
It is definitely very graphic, which I think adds to the effect and makes you appreciate how crazy he really was.
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