Image Entertainment, Inc. has announced the October 2nd DVD release of an expansive "Three-Disc Imperial Edition" of the box office and home video hit, Caligula. A pop-culture phenomenon filled with scandal, rumors and controversy since its checkered production history beginning in 1976, this unflinching look at the decadence of ancient Rome remains a fixture in modern society, appearing everywhere from techno and rock performers to a recent star-studded tribute film at last year's Cannes Film Festival.
The deluxe DVD set is highlighted by two newly-recorded, no-holds-barred commentary tracks with the film's stars, Malcolm McDowell (recently seen on NBC's Heroes and HBO's Entourage as well as starring in the Rob Zombie's Halloween) and Helen Mirren (2007 Academy Award and Golden Globe Best Actress Winner for The Queen). The film's original director, cult favorite Tinto Brass, also goes on record in an extensive new filmed interview discussing the making of the film; other new interviews include actors John Steiner, Lori Wagner, and the film's on-set reporter, Ernest Volkman. This release marks the outcome of several months of unprecedented access to the film's vaulted archives, which have remained unseen for nearly three decades.
Caligula is presented in two versions, both newly mastered in high definition from recently uncovered negative vault materials: the unrated, uncensored theatrical version and an alternate pre-release cut featuring never-before-seen footage. Other bonus features include two versions of the "Making of Caligula" documentary (featuring interviews with the stars and filmmakers as well as writer Gore Vidal), hours of never-before-seen deleted and alternate scenes and behind-the-scenes footage, hundreds of revealing photographs from the set never seen by the public, three theatrical trailers, and DVD-Rom supplements including Vidal's original screenplay, an interview with Bob Guccione, three magazine features and more.
Caligula will also be released as single-disc unrated and R-rated editions on October 2, both also remastered in high definition and containing three theatrical trailers. Click on the link above for a trailer.
