ROME — Italian filmmaker Tinto Brass, best known for directing the controversial historical drama 'Caligula,' has passed away at the age of 93. According to Italy's ANSA news agency, Brass died in Rome on November 4 at around 10:30 a.m. local time.
His wife, Caterina Varzi, and children, Bonifacio and Beatrice Brass, announced his passing. The family is planning a strictly private funeral ceremony. No cause of death was disclosed.
Born Giovanni Brass in Milan on March 26, 1933, Brass initially pursued a law degree before switching over to a film career, working as an archivist at the Cinematheque Francaise in Paris before becoming an assistant director.
He became associated with provocative cinema through films including 'Salon Kitty' (1976), 'Caligula' (1979), 'The Key' (1983), 'Miranda' (1985), 'Paprika' (1991) and 'All Ladies Do It' (1992).
Of all his films, 'Caligula' remains his most notorious. Starring Malcolm McDowell as the Roman emperor, alongside Helen Mirren, Peter O'Toole and John Gielgud, the production became infamous for the behind-the-scenes conflict between Brass, screenwriter Gore Vidal and producer Bob Guccione. Brass spent decades disowning the version of the film that was released in theaters.
In September 2026, a restored version of his 1967 film 'Col Cuore in Gola' was selected as the pre-opening screening at the Venice Film Festival.
