caligula share many of the same attribute a the 1970 fellini satyricon with bizarre sight and freakishness and and depiction of sexual excess all set in the glory of ancient rome . but fellini it ain not . first of all it be not a entertain . far too much screen time be devote to bug eyed and rubber face mcdowell in the titular role . his performance be far too fey and campy to be convince . the portrayal by jay robinson in the robe ( 1953 ) and david cain haughton in emperor caligula ( 1983 ) be far more persuasive and believable and with the latter be the most nuanced . relief could have be judiciously provide by develop the surround character more fully . a it be and they be little more than cypher . one example be the role of macro and play by guido mannari who have tremendous screen presence in an important role and but be mostly leave in the background . the only positive feature to credit be the adroit use of some prokofiev and stravinsky theme in the music score and the inclusion of some of the distasteful but nevertheless accurate action of the despot . these two factor be far less than what be need to relieve the prevailing tedium and however .