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Tinto Brass, Director of the X-Rated ‘Caligula,’ Dies at 93
Italian film director Tinto Brass, best known for the erotic historical epic *Caligula*, has died in Rome aged 93, his family announced. His career spanned avant-garde cinema and erotic films, and *Caligula* became a cult favourite despite its poor reception on release.
Starring Malcolm McDowell as the Roman emperor, *Caligula* was written by Gore Vidal and produced by Penthouse founder Bob Guccione, with Helen Mirren, Peter O’Toole and John Gielgud also in the cast. Brass and Vidal disowned the film after disputes over its production and editing; a 178-minute “ultimate cut” was shown at Cannes in 2023. Brass also won the Berlin International Film Festival’s Golden Bear for *The Howl*.
In short
- Director Tinto Brass has died aged 93.
- He directed the controversial 1979 film *Caligula*.
- *Caligula* later gained a cult following.
Explained simply
Tinto Brass was an Italian film director whose work ranged from experimental cinema to erotic films. His best-known film, Caligula, depicts the rule of the Roman emperor of the same name and became known for its explicit content.
Caligula starred Malcolm McDowell, with Helen Mirren, Peter O’Toole and John Gielgud among the cast. Writer Gore Vidal and producer Bob Guccione were also central to the film, which was reshaped during production and editing; Brass and Vidal later disowned it.
Brass also won the Berlin International Film Festival’s Golden Bear for The Howl. Caligula’s history of controversy and changing versions has kept it a subject of interest in discussions of cinema and censorship.