Caligula

[Drusus Nero]

I haven't decided which actor was better at playing Caligula from the different versions I've seen.

 

Is it fair to count Malcolm McDowall in the list?, because the film "Caligula" didn't turn out as it should have done, although that was more the fault of how it was finally edited into a softporn film.

 

Jay Robinson was quite good in "The Robe", the very image of madness, and how too much power corrupts a weak minded ruler.

 

John Hurt played him in almost the same vein in "I, Claudius", although at the same time he did show a more gentle side this man's nature, I suppose a programme has more time to expand upon a character than a film does?.

[The Augusta]

I haven't decided which actor was better at playing Caligula from the different versions I've seen.

 

Is it fair to count Malcolm McDowall in the list?, because the film "Caligula" didn't turn out as it should have done, although that was more the fault of how it was finally edited into a softporn film.

 

Jay Robinson was quite good in "The Robe", the very image of madness, and how too much power corrupts a weak minded ruler.

 

John Hurt played him in almost the same vein in "I, Claudius", although at the same time he did show a more gentle side this man's nature, I suppose a programme has more time to expand upon a character than a film does?.

 

McDowell gave a fair rendition - and was perhaps helped along the way by the fact that he bears more than a passing resemblance to the real emperor - or at least I have also thought so. The film could have been handled so much better, however.

 

Jay Robinson, I have to disagree with. I honestly thought his performance was appallingly over-acted, and he turned Caligula into a caricature, which is precisely the fault Hurt avoided. Hurt, for me, was the best for balance, as he had the humour and the tyranny, and his performance was - in several places - beautifully understated.

 

And yet, I suppose - the best portrayal has yet to come. Once dramatists ditch the 'insanity' tag totally, we may get a very different, far more chilling character than any that have been viewed so far.

[Pertinax]

I have to put forward Ralph Bates in "The Caesars" - truly disturbing, sociopathic menace.

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/o/ASIN/B000EWOO3I/...;pf_rd_i=468294

[The Augusta]

I have to put forward Ralph Bates in "The Caesars" - truly disturbing, sociopathic menace.

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/o/ASIN/B000EWOO3I/...;pf_rd_i=468294

 

Ah - thank you Pertinax. I have never seen that particular series, but as I mentioned in another thread to Nephele, I will be remedying that very soon indeed. I need not view the performance of the excellent Ralph Bates to know that you have made a good choice - he was always one of my favourite actors, right from the time I saw him as Thomas Culpepper in The Six Wives of Henry VIII - which, I realise, post-dates The Caesars

[caldrail]

That malcolm McDowell film was very operatic and painful to watch in some places, though the generally abstract view of roman degeneracy and love of diversion whatever the human cost is well illustrated. His caligula suffers from the actor trying to find his feet in the role. Thats something John Hurt triumphed at - he pitched it perfectly. You could easily imagine caligula was exactly like that.

[Drusus Nero]

I haven't decided which actor was better at playing Caligula from the different versions I've seen.

 

Is it fair to count Malcolm McDowall in the list?, because the film "Caligula" didn't turn out as it should have done, although that was more the fault of how it was finally edited into a softporn film.

 

Jay Robinson was quite good in "The Robe", the very image of madness, and how too much power corrupts a weak minded ruler.

 

John Hurt played him in almost the same vein in "I, Claudius", although at the same time he did show a more gentle side this man's nature, I suppose a programme has more time to expand upon a character than a film does?.

 

McDowell gave a fair rendition - and was perhaps helped along the way by the fact that he bears more than a passing resemblance to the real emperor - or at least I have also thought so. The film could have been handled so much better, however.

 

Jay Robinson, I have to disagree with. I honestly thought his performance was appallingly over-acted, and he turned Caligula into a caricature, which is precisely the fault Hurt avoided. Hurt, for me, was the best for balance, as he had the humour and the tyranny, and his performance was - in several places - beautifully understated.

 

And yet, I suppose - the best portrayal has yet to come. Once dramatists ditch the 'insanity' tag totally, we may get a very different, far more chilling character than any that have been viewed so far.

 

 

Yes, Augusta, I think you're right McDowell does look alot like Caligula, perphaps that's why they chose him?.

[Julius Ratus]

I wish the HBO Rome series, would have lasted long enough to have given us Caligula. In the spirit of wishful thinking, of all current actors, who do you think would best fill his little boots (forgive the pun, it was irresistable)?

[The Augusta]

I wish the HBO Rome series, would have lasted long enough to have given us Caligula. In the spirit of wishful thinking, of all current actors, who do you think would best fill his little boots (forgive the pun, it was irresistable)?

 

What a wonderful question, JR: I've not actually thought about it - I only know that if Jude Law could really act he'd make the perfect Augustus at around Actium time. (So, I'm a sucker for good looks!).

 

Caligula - hmm.... think tall, blond, heavy-featured, big-boned, with a protruding top lip. If we can't find such an actor who could 'look' the part, we have to go for the acting ability. Nope - no one really leaps out at me as an obvious choice. The thing is, it would take a great deal of experience to put in a performance like this. But there are probably quite a few 'up-and-comings' out there on both sides of the Atlantic who would be perfect, we just don't know them yet.

 

Has anyone else any ideas?

[Julius Ratus]

I would vote for Richard Brake if he wasn't so old. He has that gaunt blonde look that seems so fitting for Caligula. He also has a penchant for playing rather rotten characters (think Doom and Hannibal Rising)

 

 

 

BTW, he will be playing in a movie with Titus Pullo later this year, called The Outpost.

[Gaius Paulinus Maximus]

I wish the HBO Rome series, would have lasted long enough to have given us Caligula. In the spirit of wishful thinking, of all current actors, who do you think would best fill his little boots (forgive the pun, it was irresistable)?

What about Paul Bettany, the British actor who played the mad monk in the DaVinci Code and was also in Wimbledon and A Beautiful Mind with Russell Crowe

 

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0079273/

[The Augusta]

I wish the HBO Rome series, would have lasted long enough to have given us Caligula. In the spirit of wishful thinking, of all current actors, who do you think would best fill his little boots (forgive the pun, it was irresistable)?

What about Paul Bettany, the British actor who played the mad monk in the DaVinci Code and was also in Wimbledon and A Beautiful Mind with Russell Crowe

 

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0079273/

 

Now - that is what I call a Caligula! Looks perfect. Alas, I've only seen him in the ghastly Wimbledon, however, so I cannot judge his abilities on that. I'll take your word for it, GPM.

 

I'm afraid I don't know Richard Brake, at all, JR. I'll have to consult my daughter - who seems to be something of an expert on every kind of movie actor ever to grace the celluloid.

 

ETA: Just caught a glimpse of Richard Brake on the Imdb. No - that face belongs in the Republic. Full of misery!

Edited April 18, 2007 by The Augusta

[Drusus Nero]

I've just had a blast of inspiration , what about Johnny Depp?, of course he'd need to dye his hair if he wanted the role.