Caligula: The Untold Story on AllMovie

After the 1977 popularity of the hardcore Caligula by Tinto Brass, several similar "Caligula" films were created, and this exploitation feature is one of them. The Roman emperor Caligula (who ruled from 37-41 A.D.) seems to have gone insane after the death of his grandmother, though his behavior before her death was aberrant. His rampant sexual exploits and uncontrolled violence are the focus here, with the story revolving around a woman named Miriam (softcore star Laura Gemser), who is seeking revenge against Caligula for the death of her friend, a victim of the emperor's tendency to rape women. Miriam's hatred for the perverse, brutal emperor is miraculously changed to love. Though the 100 minute version available in the U.S. (and advertised as 'unrated') is actually a softcore opus, the European version runs 125 minutes and contains a wealth of hardcore footage.