Caligula: The Official Story of the Film

The Official Story of the Film Caligula offers a definitive retrospective of a notorious erotic historical drama. Written by Aaron Shaps, editor of the 2023 Ultimate Cut, and illustrated with stills from both the original release and the 2023 edition, it traces Caligula from conception to controversial completion. The book follows the original Gore Vidal screenplay, the film’s troubled production with Tinto Brass, and the series of edits, cuts, and legal battles that shaped the various releases—from the 1979 Penthouse version to the Cannes 2023 Ultimate Cut. It recounts how Bob Guccione added adult scenes after filming, and how authorities battled to keep the film from being deemed obscene, allowing mainstream screenings. Chronologically organized and richly illustrated, the volume also includes previously unpublished behind-the-scenes photos from Penthouse archives, offering readers an intimate, cinematic history of one of cinema’s most infamous epics.

Who might be interested in reading?

• Film history enthusiasts who enjoy deep dives into production, edits, and censorship battles
• Readers drawn to behind-the-scenes photography and archival imagery
• Fans of Gore Vidal's screenwriting and Tinto Brass's cinema
• Students or scholars of cinema seeking a comprehensive case study of a controversial epic