Historical grandeur, shocking satire, and Malcolm McDowell going completely feral. The Golden Trilogy: The 1980s High Point If you are looking for the most iconic and cohesive examples of his style, look no further than his 1980s output. 1. The Key (1983) Often cited as the most romantic of his films, The Key (La Chiave) is a slow-burn marital drama set in 1940s Venice. Based on the novel by Jun'ichirō Tanizaki, it follows a professor and his younger wife who spy on each other through a keyhole, using a diary to communicate unspoken fantasies.

If you have time for only one film, make it The Key (1983) . It balances his obsession with voyeurism, his love for Venice, and a genuinely moving story. After that, dive into Miranda for the laughs. And only then, armed with context, tackle the wild beast that is Caligula .

Furthermore, his visual style—the use of fish-eye lenses, the warm, golden lighting, the obsessive attention to underwear and footwear—has influenced fashion photographers and music video directors for decades.