Tinto Brass fought for control of ‘Caligula’ long after it was released. He has died at 93
The Italian director, who died in Rome, distanced himself from both the original release of his most infamous film and a 2023 reconstruction.
Addio a Tinto Brass, maestro del cinema erotico - Notizie
Tinto Brass Dead: Italian ‘Caligula’ Director Was 93
'Caligula' Director Tinto Brass Dies at 93
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Deadly Sweet (Col cuore in gola, 1967) by Tinto Brass is the pre-opening film of the 83rd Venice Film Festival
A career beyond one notorious film
Italian filmmaker Tinto Brass, whose long career ranged from experimental thrillers to erotic cinema, died in Rome on Wednesday at 93. His wife, Caterina Varzi, and his children told the Italian news agency ANSA that he died that morning; the family plans a private funeral.ansa
Brass was internationally associated with Caligula, the lavish historical film whose production became a fight over who controlled the finished work. He also made Salon Kitty and The Key, but his earlier films showed a different side of his filmmaking.deadline
The battle over Caligula
The film starred Malcolm McDowell alongside Helen Mirren, Peter O’Toole and John Gielgud. Producer Bob Guccione added explicit scenes after the principal actors had finished filming, and Brass distanced himself from the released version; screenwriter Gore Vidal also objected.deadline +1
The dispute outlasted the original release. A new reconstruction, Caligula: The Ultimate Cut, screened at Cannes in 2023 without Guccione’s added scenes. Brass said he had not participated in making it and did not recognize it as his own work. In a statement reported by Variety, he said editing shaped his directorial style and that his lawyers were handling the matter.deadline +1
Before the erotic films
Born Giovanni Brass in Milan in 1933, he studied law before moving to Paris, where he worked with the Cinémathèque française and assisted filmmakers including Roberto Rossellini. His 1963 directorial debut, later titled Chi lavora è perduto, screened at Venice. His early work also included the Western Yankee and the London-set thriller Deadly Sweet.indiewire +1
For Deadly Sweet, Brass drew on pop art and comics, working with cartoonist Guido Crepax, whose illustrations served as storyboards. The film starred Jean-Louis Trintignant and Ewa Aulin and played at Venice in 1967.labiennale
A final tribute in Venice
This September, Venice presented a newly restored 4K version of Deadly Sweet as its festival pre-opening film. Brass was unable to attend for health reasons, but Varzi read a message from him at the screening. The restoration used materials supplied by rights holder Compass Film and was carried out by Italy’s Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia with Netflix support.labiennale +1