Original subtitles

(thunder cracking)

(melancholy music)

- [Narrator] Gaius Caesar, the most depraved, cruel

and treacherous Roman emperor, popularly known as Caligula,

because of the caligia, the little soldier's boots

he wore as a child.

He murdered his adoptive grandfather, Tiberius,

and assumed power.

Nothing restrained him.

He committed incest with his sisters,

adultery with friends' wives, pederasty,

flaunted the law, mocked the Senate,

glutton, pervert, epileptic, paranoid and insomniac.

This is his story.

(dramatic music)

(thunder cracking)

(dramatic music)

(men grunting)

- [Man] You hairless dog.

- No, Ulmar, wait.

(thunder cracking)

So Domitius, your sword is as ineffectual as your pen.

You were worthless as a poet

and you're worthless as an assassin.

- I could have written my masterpiece

in your blood, Caligula.

Go ahead and kill me.

I am not afraid of death.

- Who mentioned death?

No Domitius, you will live.

You will bear witness to the history I shall create.

And in your mind, you will compose verses

full of hatred and madness,

verses that you will never be able to write or recite.

Guards!

(thunder cracking)

Cut the tendons in his arms and the legs,

and tear out his tongue.

(men grunting)

(Domitius screaming)

And if he dies I'll have your heads.

(Domitius screaming)

(Domitius whimpering)

(tongue squelching)

(Domitius whimpering)

(hooves clattering)

(water splashing)

(gentle music)

- We should ride here more often Gaius.

It strengthens the horses' legs, improves their wind.

- This is where it happens, every night, the same dream.

- Caesar, dreams are not reality.

- Reality is another dream.

It was a dream that revealed to my mother

Tiberius' plot to have her killed.

She was killed,

the beach red with blood,

fragments of human bodies scattered everywhere.

- Well, Caesar, as long as they're dreams

there's little to worry you.

(hooves clattering)

And Ulmar, your slave, has sworn to shield you

from the dangers of the real world.

- Every man has a price, I haven't discovered his.

(hooves clattering)

(people laughing)

- Look, Caeser.

(people laughing)

I'll wager that a few minutes with one of those

innocent beauties could dispel your anxiety.

(people laughing)

- Oh look, there are soldiers coming.

- Delightful, all of them.

Aren't they Messala?

- They are the fruits of your reign Caeser,

- And ripe for the plucking, especially her.

What's your name?

- Livia.

- [Caligula] Come here.

- A fish, strange amulet.

What does it mean?

- It's the symbol of a new religious sect

that started in Palestine.

- I thought Rome has more than enough gods as it is.

Are you a Jew?

- No.

- Then why don't you worship the god of the Romans?

Do you know who is the God that you must worship?

I asked you a question.

- You are that god, Divine Caesar.

Forgive her, please I beg you.

She's like a frightened lamb.

- What could be more exciting

than the lamb ready for the sacrifice?

- Careful, Gaius I know that lad.

He's the son of consul, Marcus Tullius Cicero

He has a lot of power.

(hooves clattering)

(gentle music)

- No, don't.

- Why not?

- Because it's not the right moment,

and when it does happen, I want it to be beautiful.

- I'll wait, and I know I'll want you forever.

- Well, why have you stopped?

You looked so charming.

It was you who stopped him, wasn't it?

You're right.

To give the jewel of your virginity

to a clumsy bumbling child

would be like presenting hogs to the death.

You'd do better to give it to a man,

and better still to a God.

- No!

- How dare you?

On your knees.

(dramatic music)

- Leave us.

- No, let him stay, and watch.

You might learn something.

(dramatic music)

(Livia crying out)

- No, please.

(dramatic music) (Livia crying out)

- Gaius, look out!

- No, no!

Livia, Livia!

(dramatic music)

- Kill him.

(dramatic music)

Kill him!

(dramatic music)

- Who did it?

Who murdered my son?

- A group of religious fanatics

who call themselves Christians.

The emperor Gaius has ordered those responsible

to be caught and punished.

The noble Messala is dealing with the crime himself.

- What makes Caesar so certain

that these religious fanatics are to blame for it?

- Your son had their symbol,

he was holding it in his hand.

(dramatic music) (women crying out)

- Why are you doing this?

What harm have we done to you?

- Shut up, old man, out of my way.

(dramatic music)

- They're hiding in the cross tunnels,

it'll be impossible to get them all out.

- Never mind, we only need five or six of them.

- Should we put them in prison?

- No, they've already been tried and sentenced.

To take them out the avian way and crucify them.

- Domitius has been arrested.

- Did he betray us?

- I doubt it.

Well, by now not one of us would

have his head on his shoulders.

Did they kill him?

- No.

They cut the tendons of his arms

and legs tore out his tongue, poor devil.

- Gaius is mad, a bloodthirsty lunatic

and we put him on the throne.

- We simply respected the will of Tiberius.

- Tiberius was demented as well.

We are now paying the price of his insanity.

How long will we have to put up with it?

- For as long as he wants

because he believes himself to be a God.

- No, Gaius Caesar must die quietly.

- Oh, that's a brilliant proposal Marcellus Agrippa,

but how will you carrying it out?

- [Marcellus] I'll find a way.

(dramatic music)

- Miriam, please don't leave me ever.

- Of course not.

Why would you think I would ever want to leave you?

- You promise that?

- I promise.

We'll never be separated.

(dramatic music)

- Miriam, please let us bury Livia

according to our Christian practice.

- No, her body is to be cremated

according to the law of my gods.

- She was a Christian.

- You are welcome to stay with your good

and kind God who was unable to defend her.

But let me listen to my God who speaks of vengeance.

(dramatic music)

- And here's the imperial palace, 200 large rooms.

And on those terraces,

we plan a number of swimming pools with many fountains,

surrounded by gardens which will surpass in beauty,

the famed gardens of ancient Babylon.

- Well, my friends, what do you say?

Let me hear your opinions.

- It will be more magnificent than Olympus itself.

- Truly sublime.

- And worthy of your greatness.

- Marcellus Agrippa.

I don't hear your voice join the bleating of these sheep.

- How much will all this cost Caesar?

If I'm permitted to ask.

- What a prosaic turn of mind you have.

Marcellus, you disappoint me.

As usual of course.

Here am I showing you a work of art

such as the world has never seen.

Something eternal, something immortal,

something that will link forever

the names of Rome and Gaius Caesar Germanicus.

And you speak prices.

Has the empire a price?

I will sacrifice all my personal treasure.

I will put everything I have up

for auction to fulfill this project.

The auction will take place at a magnificent banquet

that I will give it the palace.

Marssala, you will take charge of organizing it to,

and invite all our dearest friends,

the governors of the provinces, the foreign nobility.

In other words, anyone with enough money

to afford the price of admission.

After all, I feel certain that no one

will want to offend Gaius Caesar by refusing to participate.

- But will do you invite ladies worthy of your guests?

- The women will be well worth the price of admission.

You will be given exotic rarities and novices,

novices recruited from the Virgin maidens

of the goddess Vesta.

- Caesar, the vessels are holy priestesses.

They have to take a vow of virginity.

- They'll have to choose another livelihood.

Besides, I don't think the goddess Vesta

will be too offended if another God

asks a small personal favor,

or would you prefer that I asked this small personal favor

of your wives and daughters?

Fine, since we're all obviously in agreement,

have some wine brought in and we'll drink to it.

(Caligula claps)

- To your project to witness to your munificence.

- You drink to your own cowardice Terchous Arias,

and to the hope that one day a blade will disembowel me

or that my cup of wine will be poisoned.

Perhaps this very one I'm about to drink from.

- You don't believe that really, do you Caesar?

- No?

Very well my faithful friend.

I will drink your wine, and you will drink mine.

We can be certain that yours isn't poisoned.

Well, what are you waiting for, drink.

Go on.

(suspenseful music)

Drink!

All right, that's enough.

Even if it weren't poisoned, you'd die of fright.

My wine is better guarded than your wives private parts.

Now Demitrius, to work.

I want the basic structures laid down in time for--

(Caligula heaving)

- [Man] Out of the way, leave him alone,

bring some hot water.

Try to vomit Caesar, vomit Caesar.

- [Man] Your wine was poisoned.

- Come on, vomit, vomit Caesar.

Come on boy, vomit.

Come on.

- Omnipotent gods, I beg you to take

my life in place of our beloved emperors.

- Come on, that's it, keep trying.

- Oh mighty Jupiter, if you spare our Caesar's life,

I vow to give all I posses for the construction

of a temple in your honor.

- Thank you friends.

The gods have heeded your prayers.

The heartbreaking sincerity

of your pleas has brought about the miracle.

Marius, I will take care of the temple.

Lucretius will come to you tomorrow

to estimate the value of your estate.

As for you, I was so moved by your declaration of faith,

that I will gladly satisfy your wish immediately.

- Thank you mighty Caesar.

- Seize him, and hold him still.

(dramatic music)

- Do you realize what you're doing?

- Do I realize?

He offered his life, didn't he?

(dramatic music)

Let him give it then.

(dramatic music)

(body thuds)

And now, out of here.

All of you, get out!

I will create.

An eternal city.

Sublime work of art beyond mortal conception.

(gentle music)

Come.

(gentle music)

- Look at him, Clizia, look at him.

He's not much to look at, I know, but he's still a man.

Or what's left of one.

You see, nothing of him works anymore.

Except his brain and that, that still works.

I guarantee you.

Except the poor thing, he can't even masturbate anymore.

Sweet Clizia.

Why don't you take pity on him and lend him a helping hand?

Go on.

Make him, make him enjoy himself.

(gentle music)

(Caligula chuckling) (gentle music)

(women laughing) (gentle music)

(dramatic music)

- Stop, stop!

You're committing a sacrilege.

- Get out of the way, we're following the emperors orders.

(dramatic music) (women screaming)

(group laughing)

- Ulmar, would you like to play with me?

- No, sorry, my lady, but I'm not allowed to.

- Oh come on, you know Gaius would give you permission.

You just need to ask him.

- My job is to protect the life of our emperor

and not to screw up a common slut.

- I warned you Clizia.

Ulmar can't be moved.

Except by Gaius in person.

Isn't that right Ulmar?

(group laughing)

- Tell me Petraeus.

How did Gaius come by that slave?

- Of all the gladiators

in the Nordic lands, Ulmar was the best.

Caligula chose him as his personal bodyguard.

- Doesn't he trust his Praetorian's anymore?

- The Praetorian's watchful eyes

are more on their pay than on the emperor.

Gaius has his faults, but stupidity is not one of them.

Ulmar is of slave now but in his own land he was a prince.

(gentle music)

- Next one over here, let me see your teeth dear.

(light hearted music)

Over there.

Next.

- Julia Queentha.

- Be here tomorrow, this hour.

(light hearted music)

- Over there.

- Here are the vestals.

- Take them in dear boy.

Next.

Come on.

Oh no, you won't do at all.

You'll make everyone vomit before dinner.

- Please let me come, I need the money

and I'm very good at all the tricks

and I've had lots of experience.

- Well I suppose I could use you

for something but not with the men.

- With what?

- Dogs and horses.

- All right.

- Over there.

Next.

Oh yes, you'll do, over there.

- [Man] Come back tomorrow, this time.

- Thank you.

- Miriam Chelsea.

- Miriam Chelsea.

All right, return tomorrow at this same hour.

- Miriam.

(dramatic music)

- All mighty Lord of life and death,

prince of the night I offer you my purity

so that I may complete my vengeance.

(dramatic music)

(Miriam whimpering) (dramatic music)

(Miriam cries out)

(dramatic music) (Miriam crying)

- My poor girl.

Your sacrifice was useless.

Even if you can get close to Caligula,

how do you expect to kill him, with what means?

- I can only do my best Cornelius.

- Men, who were stronger and more determined than you

have lost their lives trying.

If you truly want to avenge Livia, trust me.

Let me help you.

(gentle music)

(man claps)

(gentle music)

(water splashing) (gentle music)

(dramatic music) (women laughing)

(women screaming) (dramatic music)

- It is my job to train you

so that you may provide the greatest possible pleasure

for the emperor's guests.

Some of you may think that you have no need of instruction,

that you are already sufficiently

skilled in the arts of love,

except for those who have yet

to feast on the honey of men's desires.

But remember this, while it is natural

and instinctive for a woman to let a man possess her,

it is not instinctive for her to possess him,

to possess him in such a way

that the pleasure you provide will make him your slave.

(man claps)

Come Imos.

Imos is a Greek slave.

He will provide the raw material for your studies.

Now let me see, who shall we begin with.

You.

Aren't you lucky to have such a fine specimen

of Helenic virality to work on?

Now girls I want you to watch the proceeding with care

and attention but with warmth and passion to.

You must identify with your companion

and participate with her in the pleasure she is giving.

You should make the first advances dear,

in case your partner happens to be shy.

You can draw him out of himself

by gentle, delicate manipulation.

(gentle music)

There's no need to be in a hurry, gradually,

warm up slowly so that every part

of his physical being feels

the touch of your caressing fingers

and tingles with the desire for satisfaction.

(gentle music)

Now you have reached the focus of his desire where

a man concentrates all his fears and his needs.

His spiritual home.

Not only his body but his soul in your mouth,

and you can hold him there until you exhaust him,

he'll never stop you.

He will let himself be destroyed,

you have possessed him because he is vanquished,

because he is over powered.

(gentle music)

Yield to his desire now, yield.

Now you have to bow to his strength.

Open yourself to him, open yourself now dear, let him in.

(group moaning) (gentle music)

Take his hands, kiss them.

(group moaning) (gentle music)

(gentle music)

All right now stop.

I said stop.

Go back to your place.

Let me see.

You, Miriam, come here.

(gong rings)

(horns trumpeting)

- [All] Hail Caesar.

(dramatic music)

- Welcome my dear friends.

I am so happy to see you all here.

(dramatic music)

(people chattering)

(dramatic music) (people chattering)

- Enjoying yourselves?

Have fun.

(man claps)

(dramatic music) (people chattering)

(man claps)

- [Men] Hail Caesar.

(people chattering) (dramatic music)

- Oh, how wild.

(whacking) (crying out)

- Oh, did he frighten you?

- Yes.

(whacking) (crying out)

- You might as well spare him.

(audience cheering)

(fist whacking)

(dramatic music) (people chattering)

- You like living here in Rome, don't you?

- Oh yes.

- Yes, climate's good but the traffics chaotic.

- Very much.

- Nice brown Nubian, let's have a cup

of wine together, come on.

- No, let go of me, I don't want to.

- Listen, I paid to come here.

- I'm not for sale, you pig.

- You wild cat, come here.

- Ulmar.

- [Miriam] Leave me alone.

- [Man] Who do you think you are, an Prussian?

I'm gonna get my money's worth now come on

you bitch before I have you flogged.

Hey, what is this?

(people chattering)

- What is your name?

- Miriam, divine Caesar.

- Here Miriam.

(people chattering)

(dramatic music) (people chattering)

- Wonderful performer, watch.

(dramatic music) (people chattering)

(metal clangs)

(dramatic music) (people chattering)

Such sensitivity little Miriam.

I like it.

(dramatic music) (people chattering)

(horse crying out)

(woman screaming)

(dramatic music) (people chattering)

Ulmar.

- Gaius Caesar commands me to take you to him at once.

(people chattering)

(gentle music)

- You're very beautiful.

Aren't you afraid?

- Why should I be?

- It would only take one word from me,

and this lovely head of yours

would be rolling on the carpet.

- What would you do with it?

Your empire is full of heads

that could be struck off for much better reason.

- Give me one reason why I shouldn't begin with yours?

(gentle music)

(Miriam moaning) (gentle music)

(man cries out)

(metal clatters)

(dramatic music)

(man cries out)

(dramatic music)

- Planning a little trip, Agrippa?

- Only my family.

I was going to stay here in Rome.

- Of course.

I'm aware of your courage and your nobility.

Nothing disturbs you, does it Agrippa?

Even death has never frightened you.

A new baby?

A pretty child.

Is it a boy?

- [Agrippa] Yes.

- A little Agrippa.

A tender, helpless thing right now.

But a sure plotter and assassin tomorrow.

Better to nip the challenge in the bud.

- No!

(baby thuds)

(people screaming)

- Please stop it, stop it.

- Slowly, slowly, don't let them die.

(Agrippa screaming)

I want them to suffer.

(dramatic music)

- Please, don't make him suffer any longer.

Caesar, I beg of you.

(dramatic music) (people screaming)

I beg of you Caesar!

Torture me if you must!

(dramatic music) (people screaming)

- And now their families.

- Gaius you go to far with such an order.

To murder those who are innocent?

- Innocent?

There are no innocents among Caligula's subjects.

No one is innocent.

Not one of you in this room is innocent.

Even if you had no part in the plot

I should have you all killed.

Messala, slaughtering innocence is no soldiers duty.

It should be done by frightened old men,

men who cling to life like a baby to it's mothers nipple.

- Caesar you are speaking

to senators of Rome and our honor deserves--

- Your honor is rotten

and stinks worse than your fatted breath.

And will not stop you from giving

a demonstration of your infamy here

and now because you will be the

ones to carry out the sentence.

(dramatic music)

Bring the wife and daughter of Agrippa.

(people screaming)

Give him your sword.

Ulmar, if he refuses to obey kill him.

(dramatic music)

(women whimpering)

Now noble Heriot, the choice is yours.

If you do not kill these women their lives will be spared,

but you will die instantly.

Look at them.

The wife and daughter of Marcellus Agrippa.

He was a good friend of yours I believe.

- Kill me if you like but don't kill her, please don't.

Be merciful, spare my daughter.

- Ulmar kill him.

- No.

No.

(sword whacking) (woman screams)

(dramatic music) (sword whacking)

- That's enough, that's enough Careas.

(dramatic music)

You've given ample proof of your honor.

Bring me the wife and children of Catalus.

- What do you want?

- Your friends have all been killed.

- They weren't my friends, and I saved the emperor's life.

- Gratitude is a quality of unknown two Gaius.

His lust for blood will drive him

to any crime or reckless folly.

And by staying here, you'll surely be running a great risk.

- How could I leave?

Look, there are guards everywhere.

- I know a way to get you out of the palace.

Then I can arrange for you to leave Rome

for a safe hiding place.

- But you'd be risking your life.

Cesar would never forgive you if he found out.

Why are you willing to risk your life for me?

- Because when you finally decide

to do what you are planning,

it is I who must prevent it.

And I have no wish to kill you.

(dramatic music)

- The gods themselves would grow pale

at the sight of so much blood.

Petreius, how much do you hate me?

- Hate you?

You're wrong Gaius, I do not hate you,

strange as it may seem.

But I see the full extent of your cruelty,

perversion, and confusion.

- Really?

Does the sight of blood upset you.

Did you never kill when you fought in my fathers legion?

- Any man who died beneath my sword died in battle.

- Such modesty Petreius, I envy you.

Because modesty is the only feeling I will never know.

- It's not me you envy little boots, it's the gods.

Divine power, that's what you really desire.

But remember mighty Caesar, divine powers

most manifest in creation, not in destruction.

- Is there such a difference

between creation and destruction?

As for envying the gods I feel like,

to a man who loves power,

the rivalry for gods does

have it's slight flavor of provocation.

But today I showed them that a man

can do their work every bit as well as they can,

if he's not afraid to try.

- That is blasphemy.

- No, it's a revelation.

The only way to be the equal of the gods

is to be their match in cruelty.

Then the impossible is possible.

(gentle music)

- Do you think as the rest of them do,

that I'm an insane murderer?

A monster?

- Yes Gaius.

- Then why didn't you let them kill me?

- I don't know.

- I do.

And it's the same reason

why I'm not going to Kill you.

(gentle music)

- They're beautiful, much too beautiful for me.

- No, they're nothing, they mean nothing.

But you, have given me a meaning for the first time.

You give me something I can't understand,

or deny, or resist.

- Can't I make you understand?

The woman is a slave,

the emperor of Rome cannot marry a slave.

No law will permit--

- No law can rise above my will.

I am the law.

Messala, order the finest portrait sculptors

in the land to work on Miriam's likeness

in the purest, whitest marble.

And let them be ready, for our wedding day.

(jewelry clattering)

(dramatic music)

- Miriam.

Miriam?

(dramatic music)

Miriam!

(dramatic music)

Miriam!

- Come.

- Miriam.

(Miriam crying)

- What shall I do?

- [Ulmar] Have you forgotten what I told you to do?

- No.

- No?

Then leave while you still have time.

- No.

- You still want to kill him?

- No, I couldn't do it now, but I've got to know the truth.

Then let the gods perform their will.

(eerie music) (wind whistling)

- Miriam.

(dramatic music)

(suspenseful music)

- Please forgive me.

- Clizia.

- I had to do it, I couldn't let him go on living like that.

Forgive me Gaius.

(dramatic music)

- Do you really need all that wine?

- I dreamed my death and yours.

I was lost.

- Dreams don't kill.

- No, but they can make you suffer.

They create tortures worse than real ones.

No control, no power.

Even an emperor has no power over his own dreams.

Not even the power to wake up.

Why did you run away?

- Because of this.

- What does it mean?

- The girl who wore it around her neck,

Livia, do you remember her.

- I don't know what you're talking about.

- You killed her didn't you?

- No, it's not true.

I didn't kill her, what's happening to me?

Wine, wine.

Something in wine.

- Don't be afraid, you won't die.

- Why, it was you, why?

- I have to know, sleep Caligula and remember.

- No.

- [Petreius] Caligula, don't go on, stop.

- Petreius.

Where are you?

(Miriam laughs)

- [Miriam] Caligula.

- Miriam, wait.

- [Petreius] No Gaius, come back.

You don't know what you're going to find.

- What will I find?

- [Miriam] The truth Caligula, come,

your knowledge will be complete.

Eternity will be yours, immortality.

- Immortality.

- [Petreius] No, don't go on.

There are somethings that a man

is not strong enough to know.

- A man, no.

But a God.

Yes.

- [Petreius] Turn back, turn back Caesar.

(dramatic music)

- No, get away.

Get away!

(people laughing)

It's a dream, it's only a dream.

- [Livia] Wait Caligula, I'm Livia.

Don't you remember me?

- [Caligula] No, no.

(dramatic music)

- She's yours Caligula.

- No.

No.

(dramatic music)

- [Livia] Take me Caligula, you want virgins, don't you?

Then you'll kill me.

- It wasn't my fault.

Get away!

(eerie music)

- [Man] Caligula.

(men laughing)

- Go away, go away!

No, no!

It's a dream, it's a dream!

It's a nightmare, it's not real!

(Caligula screaming)

(dramatic music)

Miriam?

No, you're just a dream.

Miriam.

But I'm still alive.

I'm still alive.

I'm still alive.

(Caligula grunting)

- No Caesar!

- It's a dream.

- No Gaius.

- A dream.

Miriam--.

(Caligula crying)

Miriam, Miriam, Miriam, Miriam!

No!

No!

No!

(Caligula crying)

- Look Gaius.

(Gaius chuckles)

- [Caligula] Well this is the first time

they've paid me the honor of coming to watch me ride.

- [Messala] Yes Caesar, even your uncle Claudius.

- Let's not disappoint them Messala.

I'll race you to history and back again.

- Let the will of the gods be done.

(wind whistling) (waves lapping)

- Gaius, how are you feeling?

- Scraped bare, restored, shining.

(wind whistling)

It's a beautiful day, a day for entering new worlds.

I want you to send out the following orders immediately.

I want all the statues that were put up

in honor of my divinity torn down,

and tell Demetrius that the project

for New Rome has been canceled.

And tell the gods that I have woken from my dream.

Tell Petreius that little boots--

(Caligula cries out)

(wind whistling)

(dramatic music)

I'm still alive.

Miriam, I'm still alive.

(dramatic music)