Caligula is one of the true curiosities of cinema. Financed by Penthouse and directed by Tinto Brass, it is not sexy. Written by Gore Vidal, it is not intelligent. Starring actors such as Malcolm McDowell, Peter O'Toole, and Helen Mirren, it is not a classic. In fact, despite some capability all across the board Caligula fails to even be remotely watchable. It is grotesque, dirty and perhaps the most unpleasant film I have ever endured. It is also brilliant.

What struck me most as I read up on Caligula is that a lot of people commented on how historically accurate it is. It is incomprehensible to be to think that somebody this atrocious could actually be, well… this atrocious. What a horrible, disgusting human being Caligula was; beyond the likes of which you could possibly imagine before seeing the film, or actually being there during his reign. Everyone is familiar with the death, destruction, and sorrow that more recent tyrant leaders have caused (Hitler, Stalin, Hussein), but these leaders have inspired more sympathetic, or otherwise thought-provoking films like Downfall and Stalin. Caligula is not concerned with the psychology involved in the reign of the third Roman Emperor, and focuses on the documented history of the cruelty and insanity that characterized his four year tenure. It does not require sympathy or understanding of the man to realize the depravity that consumed him. If the events that are depicted in Caligula are as historically accurate as claimed, then they speak for themselves with no analysis needed.

I truly believe Caligula to have profound artistic merit, intentional or not; watchable or not. I believe that if anyone is to make a movie about someone, it should be made in the vein and tone that is most accurate to that person's life. Walk the Line was (in tone) completely opposite to Caligula, but they were as different in life as they are portrayed and depicted in equally effective films. Where Walk the Line is a lovely celebration of a much loved and respected artist, Caligula is a loathsome, dirty movie of a loathsome, disgusting Emperor. It may be near impossible to watch, but it should be. Taking subject material such as this, and making it acceptable and aesthetically pleasing would dull the effect that it should have. By playing it straight-up and horrible, it achieves a much more sincere depiction of its events. Movies are sometimes not made for us to enjoy (see: The Passion of the Christ), but occasionally aim to allow us to understand something that we otherwise, through any medium, may not be able to.

I hated Caligula the movie, but if I had known Caligula the man, I would have most likely hated him as well.