“Caligula: The Ultimate Cut” (2023) will open for a one-week exclusive engagement on Friday, Mar. 14, at the Angelika Film Center in New York with a brand new 35mm print. The story follows the ascent to Caesar and subsequent reign of Caligula, one of the most notorious leaders of ancient Rome.

Initially released in 1980, “Caligula” was one of the most expensive independent films to date but had a tumultuous journey to screen. Written by Gore Vidal and directed by Italian filmmaker Tinto Brass, the film stars Malcolm McDowell, Dame Helen Mirren, Peter O’Toole and Sir John Gielgud. After initial production ended, Penthouse founder (and the film’s financer) Bob Guccione seized control of the negative and made significant changes to the movie, adding graphic scenes of unsimulated sex and gratuitous violence. The cast and film team disavowed the cut, and Vidal had his name removed from the project. Extensive coverage of behind-the-scenes notoriety helped to make the movie a cult classic.

This latest version of the famous movie made its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in 2023 and includes never-before-seen footage comprised of 100% alternate takes and camera angles. The painstaking restoration was overseen by art historian Thomas Negovan of whom Malcolm McDowell wrote “Because of the brilliant work of Thomas Negovan – one of my best performances has finally come to light after 47 years!” The new 35mm print is distributed by Vitagraph Films.

“Caligula: The Ultimate Cut” includes the addition of a prologue that illustrates one of Vidal’s missing scenes, created by graphic artist Dave McKean, and there is a new wraparound score by composer Troy Sterling Nies. The reconstruction was heralded by actor McDowell, in keeping with the film’s tumultuous 45-year journey. The film runs two hours and fifty-nine minutes with a built-in intermission..

The Angelika Film Center is located at 18 West Houston Street. Tickets are available at the box office on the Angelika website or the Angelika Film Center app. For more information on “Caligula: The Ultimate Cut” and other upcoming films, follow us @angelikafilmny on Facebook, Instagram and X.

About Reading International, Inc.
Reading International, Inc. (NASDAQ: RDI), an internationally diversified cinema and real estate company operating through various domestic and international subsidiaries, is a leading entertainment and real estate company, engaging in the development, ownership, and operation of cinemas and retail and commercial real estate in the United States, Australia, and New Zealand.

Reading’s cinema subsidiaries operate under multiple cinema brands: Reading Cinemas, Consolidated Theatres and the Angelika brand. Its live theatres are owned and operated by its Liberty Theaters subsidiary, under the Orpheum and Minetta Lane names. Its signature property developments, including Newmarket Village in Brisbane, Australia, and 44 Union Square in New York City, are maintained in special purpose entities.

Additional information about Reading can be obtained at the Company’s website at ReadingRDI.com.