Caligula Italian Caligola is a 1979 ItalianAmerican erotic historical drama film focusing on the rise and fall of the Roman Emperor Caligula. It stars Malcolm McDowell, Teresa Ann Savoy, Helen Mirren, Peter OToole, John Steiner and John Gielgud. It is the only feature film produced by the mens magazine Penthouse. Producer Bob Guccione, the magazines founder, intended to produce an explicit pornographic film with a feature film narrative and high production values. He intended to cast Penthouse Pets as extras in unsimulated sex scenes filmed during postproduction by Guccione and Giancarlo Lui.
Caligula is the young heir to the throne of the syphilisridden, halfmad Emperor Tiberius. One morning, a blackbird flies into his room Caligula considers this a bad omen. Shortly afterward, the head of the Praetorian Guard Macro tells Caligula that Tiberus, his great uncle, demands his immediate presence at Capri, where the Emperor lives with his close friend Nerva, a dimwitted relative Claudius, and Caligulas younger stepbrother Gemellus. Fearing assassination, Caligula is afraid to leave but his sister and lover Drusilla persuades him to go.At Capri, Caligula finds that Tiberius has become depraved, showing signs of advanced venereal diseases, and embittered with Rome and politics. Tiberius enjoys swimming with naked youths and watching degrading sex shows that often include children and deformed people. Caligula observes with fascination and horror. Tensions rise when Tiberius tries to poison Caligula in front of Gemellus. Nerva commits suicide and Caligula tries to kill Tiberius. Proving his loyalty to Caligula, Macro kills Tiberius instead with Gemellus as a witness. ........
Source: Wikipedia