Caligula and the Fight for Artistic Freedom

Abstract

Kevin M. Flanagan's review critically examines William Hawes' book Caligula and the Fight for Artistic Freedom, which explores the making, marketing, and cultural impact of the 1979 film Caligula. The reviewer argues that while Hawes' study is somewhat unfocused and overlong, it is ultimately redeemed by its meticulous contextual analysis and boldness in tackling a controversial subject. Flanagan suggests that the book mirrors the film's own chaotic yet compelling nature. He praises the deep contextualization of Caligula within Hollywood's history of sensationalizing antiquity but critiques Hawes for neglecting the 'sword and sandal' films of the 1950s and 1960s, which Flanagan argues are more directly relevant to Caligula's production context. The reviewer also highlights Hawes' effective portrayal of Bob Guccione as the film's driving force but notes that the book's structure could be tighter. Overall, Flanagan positions Hawes' work as an important, if imperfect, contribution to film scholarship.

(The abstract and keywords were prepared retrospectively for indexing purposes using AI-assisted tools and editorial review, based on the original article. They did not appear in the original publication.)