Caligula: The Untold Story (1982): cast, story & where to watch

Released in 1982, Caligula: The Untold Story is a drama, horror and history film directed by Joe D'Amato, running about 109 minutes. “The most powerful man in the Empire has gone insane!” — that tagline sets the tone.

What it’s about. The deranged Roman emperor Gainus 'Caligula' (Little Boots) Caesar (12-41 A.D.) rules Rome with an iron fist and has anyone tortured and exectued for even the slightest insubordination. Mostly set during his last year of his reign, as Caligula loses support due to his brutal and crazed excess, a young Moor woman, named Miriam, becomes his lover while ploting to kill him to avenge the murder of a friend which Caligula was responsible for. But Miriam is torn between her personal vandeda against Caligula and her own personal feelings towards him despite his madness and debauched lifestyle of orgies and bloody torture murders.

Who’s in it. Caligula: The Untold Story stars David Brandon as Caligula, Laura Gemser as Miriam, Luciano Bartoli as Messala and Charles Borromel as Petreio, among others.

How it landed. With an audience score of 5.5/10, Caligula: The Untold Story has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.

Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Caligula: The Untold Story page.

If you liked it. Fans of Caligula: The Untold Story tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.