@Puzzoozoo Although I don't think the real Caligula was killed so openly. But instead, was lured away from the the games and killed by his guards in some passageway or hall.
@Tdgonline You're right. He was killed in an underground passage beneath the imperial palace on the Palantine Hill. According to Seutonius, he had been inspecting an acting troupe preparing for a festival. He was stabbed 30 times, rather than speared, but the assassin was a member of his guard, Cassius Chaerea. The assassins also killed his wife and 2 year old daughter. Cassius Chaerea was later executed for the crime.
@Puzzoozoo History isn't so clear cut. Caligula's assassins also murdered his wife and infant daughter (by smashing her head open against a wall). They tried to bring back the republic, abolishing the post of emperor, but support for Caligula's family was strong, and his uncle Claudius became the next emperor. That suggests he may not have been as unpopular as people think these days. He certainly didn't persecute Christians as Hollywood pretends - historians agree that first began under Nero.
@bogoas81 Maybe so, but he became as mad as a hatter, after he recovered an illness, plus before that he had sex with all his sisters. But the ordinary people of Rome were probably relativly safe, as Caligula seems to have targeted the rich people of Rome who were a possible threat to him. As for killing his daughter, and they probably did it to end his liniage. But they were brutal times, and Claudius was exactly a saint, as history shows he to had several people put to death.
A very great actor, also in his pronunciation which lets us see clearly enough that he had begun his career on the stage where he had acted also with the famous Boris Karloff. He spoke an excellent Oxford English, and this as an American. It's a pity that the two films where he acted as Caligula are the only ones that were really successful. It isn't well known that he himself converted to God and to Jesus Christ in the late 70ies and wrote an autobiography about his life.
They should cut The Robe and Demetrius & The Gladiators down to one film and just put in the scenes Robinson was in, it'd be the most watchable film ever made.
You are right, this is a very good idea. Concerning Jay Robinson's excellent pronunciation of Oxford English, I should have told also the story which can be read in his own autobiobraphy. One day the director of a theatre was looking for a real English actor, and thus Jay presented himself - but he didn't know yet that he had to act also with the famous Boris Karloff, who used a Russian name but was indeed a real Englishman from London. But even so Jay was successful.
Robinson wouldn't get away with this type of acting today but you have to love his guts! In fact I can't imagine anyone back then (or today) being this effective in the role.
Heavens to Murgatroid! What a thrill it must have been to see these movies on a big Cinemascope screen when they were first released! I was born in the mid-50's so that was before my time. I totally agree that Jay Robinson's acting wipes Robert Burton & Victor Mature's off the screen. Victor Mature himself agreed that he was never much of an actor. And even though the late great Mr Burton gave many wonderful screen performances, I wouldn't say "The Robe" is among his best.
I second that emotion! Very well put! Without a doubt, every time Jay Robinson is on the screen all viewer's eyes are locked on him! His autobiography from the late 70's is filled with wonderful background info about the making of "The Robe" and "Demetrius & the Gladiators". Thanks for your insightful comment! CHEERS!
Jay Robinson's shining hour! Too bad he was never again given a role this juicy! And his Caligula got even more screen time in The Robe's sequel, "Demetrius and the Gladiators". Though both movies took quite a few liberties with what's considered history, one can't deny both movies were vastly entertaining. THANKS so much for posting these powerful scenes! CHEERS!
I love the way he acts! Wonderful..he's funny and entertaining! :)
MsAppleofhiseye 2 weeks ago
The Gladiator scenes in "Demetrius....." were 10 times better than the modern, close in, sped up computer crap they do today.
macsvens 1 month ago
Love these movies-- and he was so insanely hilarious!
medrahl 2 months ago
What a sleazy little nob Caligula was both this version ad the real one, glad he and the real one got their just deserts.
Puzzoozoo 6 months ago
@Puzzoozoo Although I don't think the real Caligula was killed so openly. But instead, was lured away from the the games and killed by his guards in some passageway or hall.
Tdgonline 2 months ago
@Tdgonline You're right. He was killed in an underground passage beneath the imperial palace on the Palantine Hill. According to Seutonius, he had been inspecting an acting troupe preparing for a festival. He was stabbed 30 times, rather than speared, but the assassin was a member of his guard, Cassius Chaerea. The assassins also killed his wife and 2 year old daughter. Cassius Chaerea was later executed for the crime.
bogoas81 1 week ago
@Puzzoozoo History isn't so clear cut. Caligula's assassins also murdered his wife and infant daughter (by smashing her head open against a wall). They tried to bring back the republic, abolishing the post of emperor, but support for Caligula's family was strong, and his uncle Claudius became the next emperor. That suggests he may not have been as unpopular as people think these days. He certainly didn't persecute Christians as Hollywood pretends - historians agree that first began under Nero.
bogoas81 1 week ago
@bogoas81 Maybe so, but he became as mad as a hatter, after he recovered an illness, plus before that he had sex with all his sisters. But the ordinary people of Rome were probably relativly safe, as Caligula seems to have targeted the rich people of Rome who were a possible threat to him. As for killing his daughter, and they probably did it to end his liniage. But they were brutal times, and Claudius was exactly a saint, as history shows he to had several people put to death.
Puzzoozoo 1 week ago
A very great actor, also in his pronunciation which lets us see clearly enough that he had begun his career on the stage where he had acted also with the famous Boris Karloff. He spoke an excellent Oxford English, and this as an American. It's a pity that the two films where he acted as Caligula are the only ones that were really successful. It isn't well known that he himself converted to God and to Jesus Christ in the late 70ies and wrote an autobiography about his life.
rokkasotilas 6 months ago
@rokkasotilas
They should cut The Robe and Demetrius & The Gladiators down to one film and just put in the scenes Robinson was in, it'd be the most watchable film ever made.
Blahblobify 5 months ago
@Blahblobify
You are right, this is a very good idea. Concerning Jay Robinson's excellent pronunciation of Oxford English, I should have told also the story which can be read in his own autobiobraphy. One day the director of a theatre was looking for a real English actor, and thus Jay presented himself - but he didn't know yet that he had to act also with the famous Boris Karloff, who used a Russian name but was indeed a real Englishman from London. But even so Jay was successful.
rokkasotilas 5 months ago
Robinson wouldn't get away with this type of acting today but you have to love his guts! In fact I can't imagine anyone back then (or today) being this effective in the role.
gettyO89 1 year ago
@TheJomogogo
Heavens to Murgatroid! What a thrill it must have been to see these movies on a big Cinemascope screen when they were first released! I was born in the mid-50's so that was before my time. I totally agree that Jay Robinson's acting wipes Robert Burton & Victor Mature's off the screen. Victor Mature himself agreed that he was never much of an actor. And even though the late great Mr Burton gave many wonderful screen performances, I wouldn't say "The Robe" is among his best.
JubalCalif 1 year ago
@TheJomogogo
I second that emotion! Very well put! Without a doubt, every time Jay Robinson is on the screen all viewer's eyes are locked on him! His autobiography from the late 70's is filled with wonderful background info about the making of "The Robe" and "Demetrius & the Gladiators". Thanks for your insightful comment! CHEERS!
JubalCalif 1 year ago
Jay Robinson's shining hour! Too bad he was never again given a role this juicy! And his Caligula got even more screen time in The Robe's sequel, "Demetrius and the Gladiators". Though both movies took quite a few liberties with what's considered history, one can't deny both movies were vastly entertaining. THANKS so much for posting these powerful scenes! CHEERS!
JubalCalif 1 year ago
this guy is hilarious!! hes so faggy and yet he does command power! glad this little turd finally got his when he got the spear later on!
burtonrules123 1 year ago