Caligula (1979) (The Imperial Edition)

[billyearle]

OK, I broke down and ordered the UK slipcase version, since, like you, I couldn't find any solid info on differences, apart from that the US version also includes the "cencored" version with the commentaries. When it arrives I will either post here, or a comparative review on the UK Limited Edition item page here (I already have the US version).
That's interesting to hear the UK might have deleted scenes with original audio. BTW, I couldn't play the DVD-rom extras, are they that great? I was curious to sample some of the original screenplay, but I think I can get an idea of it's nature from the other extras.

[mar3o]

Originally Posted by billyearle

OK, I broke down and ordered the UK slipcase version, since, like you, I couldn't find any solid info on differences, apart from that the US version also includes the "cencored" version with the commentaries. When it arrives I will either post here, or a comparative review on the UK Limited Edition item page here (I already have the US version).
That's interesting to hear the UK might have deleted scenes with original audio. BTW, I couldn't play the DVD-rom extras, are they that great? I was curious to sample some of the original screenplay, but I think I can get an idea of it's nature from the other extras.

Cool! I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the UK version. I'm very interested in the additional scenes that don't seem to be in the US version.

Not sure yet about the extras. I've read some reviews that state one of the extras is a .pdf scan of the full Penthouse issues that discusses the film, yet other sites say there are only the relevant articles that are scanned. Vey confusing.

[billyearle]

OK, I watched the Arrow slipcase version. I'd say the extra deleted scenes (not on the US bluray) with original audio are worth the double dip! The movie itself also has a noticeably different visual presentation, it isn't necessarily better though, but I think it further made this worth a double dip for me. The colors seem bolder on the UK release. It seems to be a result of black levels being higher. The US BD looks a tad more "detailed", the higher black levels in the UK BD are possibly obscuring some fine detail\texture, giving it a more "opaque" look, if you know what I'm trying to say. But it also seems the contrast might be higher on the UK BD, giving it a bolder look.
At least on first watch I think I prefer the look of the UK release, in spite of what sounds like criticism. The US release looks more "translucent" or filmic maybe. I couldn't decide on a clear preference visually, so I'm really glad to have both!
I rarely pay extra for packaging, but I got the slipcase version because I thought the covers available on the cheaper Arrow version were really ugly, and I am a pretty big fan of the movie. On the slipcase version you get the red Japanese poster cover, which is really attractive, and the familiar blue cover with the coin profile. I wasn't sure if the standard Arrow release has the booklet, but the booklet essay in the slipcase version is at least different from the US booklet material. It's an interview with MacDowell, more about his career in "cult" films than about Caligula. It isn't essential, but interesting enough.
Another small difference, on the UK BD the Behind the scenes footage is on the BD (not on the DVD), but I didn't compare it directly, and couldn't tell for sure if it's in HD, as it is pretty lo-fi to begin with.
The DVD-rom stuff sounds interesting! But my computer is in Japanese, so I have to try again getting my wife to help me with playing it...that could take years.

[BigmoufStrikes]

R.I.P. Peter O'Toole
You will always be remembered for Caligula as your crowning achievement to film

[Dubstar]

Originally Posted by BigmoufStrikes

R.I.P. Peter O'Toole
You will always be remembered for Caligula as your crowning achievement to film

"BaHAHA" - oh wait, you're being serious.

[Dubstar]

Originally Posted by billyearle

OK, I watched the Arrow slipcase version. I'd say the extra deleted scenes (not on the US bluray) with original audio are worth the double dip! The movie itself also has a noticeably different visual presentation, it isn't necessarily better though, but I think it further made this worth a double dip for me. The colors seem bolder on the UK release. It seems to be a result of black levels being higher. The US BD looks a tad more "detailed", the higher black levels in the UK BD are possibly obscuring some fine detail\texture, giving it a more "opaque" look, if you know what I'm trying to say. But it also seems the contrast might be higher on the UK BD, giving it a bolder look.
At least on first watch I think I prefer the look of the UK release, in spite of what sounds like criticism. The US release looks more "translucent" or filmic maybe. I couldn't decide on a clear preference visually, so I'm really glad to have both!
I rarely pay extra for packaging, but I got the slipcase version because I thought the covers available on the cheaper Arrow version were really ugly, and I am a pretty big fan of the movie. On the slipcase version you get the red Japanese poster cover, which is really attractive, and the familiar blue cover with the coin profile. I wasn't sure if the standard Arrow release has the booklet, but the booklet essay in the slipcase version is at least different from the US booklet material. It's an interview with MacDowell, more about his career in "cult" films than about Caligula. It isn't essential, but interesting enough.
Another small difference, on the UK BD the Behind the scenes footage is on the BD (not on the DVD), but I didn't compare it directly, and couldn't tell for sure if it's in HD, as it is pretty lo-fi to begin with.
The DVD-rom stuff sounds interesting! But my computer is in Japanese, so I have to try again getting my wife to help me with playing it...that could take years.

really? I'm going to have to order this in my next Amazon.co.uk order.

[Dubstar]

I don't understand the two listings of the UK edition in the blu-ray.com database - what's the difference between the two?

[zbinks]

Originally Posted by Dubstar

I don't understand the two listings of the UK edition in the blu-ray.com database - what's the difference between the two?

Packaging. One was limited and comes with a slipcase and other accoutrements. The other isn't and doesn't. The disc content should be the same for both.

[Lutz]

Somehow I got it in my head that Peter O'Toole was already dead and CALIGULA was his last movie?

[lateralspin]

Originally Posted by Lutz

Somehow I got it in my head that Peter O'Toole was already dead and CALIGULA was his last movie?

Somehow, I don't think that this is the movie that Peter O'Toole wants to be remembered by.

[dallywhitty]

I re-watched this in the early hours of the morning, accompanied by a sleeping dog and a cup of coffee. It may be generally despised and it's not exactly a prime example in how to shoot and edit a film, but I still love it for its sheer craziness and depravity. There's nothing else quite like that.

[billyearle]

I see Dr. Svet thinks the new French release looks better than the US, but could he, or anyone, chime in if they feel it looks better than the Arrow as well? The caps look good to me, but I'm on a tight budget. Who knows how long before we get a new transfer, though I expect we will eventually, maybe years from now.

[I KEEL YOU]

This is one movie that needs to be remade... Starring Charlie Sheen.

[Maikeru64]

Now that Caligula (The US version) is discontinued.
Where should I go to purchase it?
Or should I wait for a re-release?

[dallywhitty]

I'm glad you revived this thread (apologies in being unable to answer your questions as I simply don't know if there are plans to re-issue the film in the States) because it reminded me to see if there had been any update on the 'Unmaking of Caligula' book that had been in the works for a long time.

And holy ****ing shit.

This website was previously jam-packed with exclusive information unravelling the film's troubled production, but the writer has openly discarded everything all because Trump won the election. Dafuq.

[Dubstar]

Originally Posted by dallywhitty

I'm glad you revived this thread (apologies in being unable to answer your questions as I simply don't know if there are plans to re-issue the film in the States) because it reminded me to see if there had been any update on the 'Unmaking of Caligula' book that had been in the works for a long time.

And holy ****ing shit.

This website was previously jam-packed with exclusive information unravelling the film's troubled production, but the writer has openly discarded everything all because Trump won the election. Dafuq.

excuse my candor here, but goddamn him.

[MechaGodzilla]

Originally Posted by dallywhitty

I'm glad you revived this thread (apologies in being unable to answer your questions as I simply don't know if there are plans to re-issue the film in the States) because it reminded me to see if there had been any update on the 'Unmaking of Caligula' book that had been in the works for a long time.

And holy ****ing shit.

This website was previously jam-packed with exclusive information unravelling the film's troubled production, but the writer has openly discarded everything all because Trump won the election. Dafuq.

Bram Stoker's Dracula - Laugh.avi - YouTube

[GasmaskAvenger]

Good for him. I would happily read "The Unmaking of Donald Trump" with a foreword from Michael Sheen.

Anyhow, that could mean someone else could take over and write a Caligula book...or better yet, a Caligula documentary on the scale of the Friday the 13th and Elm Street docs. Would be a good opportunity for Arrow to do a new release, complete with a fresh transfer.

[DvdClon]

Originally Posted by Dubstar

excuse my candor here, but goddamn him.

For the time being, you can still access it here: https://web.archive.org/web/20161002.../caligula.org/ (Or at least some of it.)

[Ray Jackson]

Does this film have a lot of graphic sex in it?