Caligola -
Film synopsis: Pagan Rome, 37 A.D. Prince Gaius Germanicus "Caligula" (Latin term for 'Little Boots') (Malcolm McDowell) is summoned to Capri by the syphilis-stricken 77-year-old Roman Emperor Tiberius (Peter O'Toole), his adopted grandfather. His escort is Macro (Guido Mannari), commander of the Praetorian Guard. Macro seeks to curry favor with Caligula, who will be the next Emperor, by tempting him with the promise of sleeping with his wife Ennia (Adriana Asti).
Frightened, but sycophantically eager to fall in with any mood of the mercurial Tiberius, Caligula has his first glimpse of absolute power as the aged Emperor leads him from his cavernous swimming pool through his grotto of pleasures and freaks. There, the two become voyeurs as youths and maidens act out Tiberius' fantasies. Accompanying them is the noble, elderly Senator Nerva (John Gielgud), the only contemporary intimate of Tiberius who has survived the execution of several Senators, despite the fact, or perhaps because, he is the only one who dares openly to criticize and condemn Tiberius political actions.
A short while later, when Nerva chooses suicide over a natural death by slashing his wrists in a bath, Tiberius' seemingly ordered life is shaken, and his own death, hastened.
Caligula and Macro come to witness the end. They find the old Emperor partially paralyzed, lying alone in the state bedroom. Prematurely, Caligula tears off the signet ring, symbol of power. Tiberius rallies. When Caligula suddenly enters an epileptic trance, Macro insures Tiberius' death by smothering him. A frightened Gemellus (Bruno Brive), Tiberius' grandson by birth, witnesses the murder.
Caligula, the new Emperor, gains instant popularity by announcing a general amnesty. He accepts the highest office of the Republic, the Consulship, naming his half-witted uncle Claudius (Giancarlo Badessi), his fellow Consul and Gemellus as his son and heir.
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