Caligula and the Fight for Artistic Freedom: The Making, Marketing and Impact of the Bob Guccione Film

by William Hawes

Incest, explicit violence, homosexual rape--all presented in graphic clarity for general movie audiences. The fight for artistic freedom in Hollywood movies reached a boiling point when Bob Guccione combined traditional and adult filmmaking values in 1979's controversial Caligula . Guccione, the publisher of Penthouse , was passionate about taking his First Amendment battles out of the bedroom and into the courtroom. Through his determination and four-year legal battle, the film was distributed worldwide and now celebrates its 40th anniversary while achieving cult status. This is the story of the making of the film, its distribution, and its social and cultural impact.

262 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

Reviews

[bernard underwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok

good history of erotic cinema and big budget sword and sandal movies. my hope was more back story's but I guess that is why that have commentary on the DVD