i be almost embarrass to admit to see caligula twice . the problem with the production be almost too numerous to mention . the script be sub standard ( it easy to see why vidal try to disown it ) . the direction be bad . most of the movie consist of long shot inter cut with close ups intersperse with cross cut of mostly un erotic porn ( more prevalent obviously in the uncut version ) . the cinematography be especially sub par and give the whole production a cheap wash out look that undermine some of the elaborate set design . the movie should have look a whole lot well . the overall concept of place name actor in what would have easily be an x rat movie ( guccione call it paganography ) wear thin after the first hour after peter otoole and john guilgud exit . bob guccione obviously lavish a lot of buck on this but it all seem like a big waste . if you want a far well understanding of the roman empire in the 1st century watch the mid 79 bbc production of i and claudius instead . and if you want porn and jeeze louise and look somewhere else .