The Agony and the Ecstasy

This film is a classic for all the right reasons: a truly great story of two epic lives entwining, two powerful actors, great Direction by Carol Reed, and luscious, artistic cinematography by Leon Shamroy (Academy Award nominated for Cinematography). Charlton Heston as Michelangelo and Rex Harrison as Pope Julius II (a warrior Pope) bring out the best in each other's performance, the interplay of their strengths driving each other higher. There simply are no weaknesses in these performances. The screenplay creates some awkward situations, perhaps to move the story along. I can not say Rex Harrison seems at ease on the battlefield, these scenes are an odd juxtaposition of boardroom at the battlefield, and that does not help. And we don't seem him leading a charge, which makes him look a bit ineffective, but these are directorial and editing choices. The casting of Diane Cilento as the only woman in this piece is the head scratcher. Out of all the actresses in the world at that time, who did she know to get this role? In another film her performance would have been fine, on par with other performances at this time, but contrasted to these two gritty leads, her performance seems flat and superficial. This role could and should have completed a trinity of unrequited obsession, hers being with Michelangelo, but it does not gel, and it is the big disappointment of the film. Jennifer Jones is the kind of actress who was needed, someone who could be quiet and simple, lusty and strong all at the same time. Still, this is the story of the men, and so perhaps that was part of the Director's intention, women did not have significance at that time, and we feel it in this film. This is the story of men creating their legacies, and it is a legacy in itself for Carol Reed, Rex Harrison, and Charlton Heston. It is a classic, beautiful to look at, and it will outlive them, and perpetuate their names and their art, as befits this story.

I kept seeing this movie on the shelf at my local video store, but -- although it starred two great actors, Rex Harrison and Charlton Heston -- as many times as I picked it up, I kept putting it back, not quite sure what the quality of the story might be. When I finally rented it, I wished I had watched it earlier! The Sistine Chapel set is fantastic, and the ceiling paintings are vibrant and look identical to the real ones. Impressive! I especially enjoyed the simple yet moving scene in which a discouraged Michelangelo -- who has run away from Rome and gone back to cutting marble in the mountains -- sees in the clouds what he must paint on the ceiling: God reaching out to Adam. Michelangelo stands in awe and quotes passages from Genesis. The conflict between Pope Julius and Michelangelo is both humorous and poignant. They anger one another yet they push one another to do the impossible. When the puzzled pope wants to know why Michelangelo left, he replies, "You beat me!" When the artist and the pope first interact on screen, the source of conflict is a sonnet Michelangelo wrote about Julius, quickly and simply setting up the push-pull nature of their relationship. There's a bit of reverse psychology that they pull on one another, too, which the pope employs better than the straight-forward Michelangelo, but the artist turns the tables on Julius, and rouses the pope from his deathbed with understated, serious humor (if there can be such a thing). It's historical fiction, so purists will have to take the FICTION into account when viewing this film. Don't sit down with a biography of Michelangelo or Pope Julius and search for facts. Just enjoy the story! However, the people and the main events of the story did exist, did know one another, did happen. I especially like the prologue to the film, an interesting and moving review of Michelangelo's architecture and sculpture. The DVD is enhanced, with the picture quality improved over the VHS version that I originally watched, so I definitely recommend the DVD. Enjoy!

The movie is absolutely great. It is old but classic! Must see for any Renaissance lover. The movie tells a story of a strange relationship between one of the greatest artists of all times and one of the more famous Popes. Pretty amazing fight of characters, principals and egos that resulted in the greatest masterpieces of the period. You truly have to give it a chance. It is not boring! It is a wonderful story that because of the age only gain giving the story the patina of time that feels almost like you are watching reality TV show set in Renaissance. Truly funny feeling. LOVE THE MOVIE! TRY IT! It is really remarkable production. I watched it with kids of different ages and they simply loved it!

Good movie

I've viewed this movie four times across forty years, and have always appreciated the portrayals rendered by Charleston Heston and Gregory Harrison in their respective roles. This time I watched with a minister friend who was unfamiliar with the story. He found the presentation entertaining, informative (as much as a Hollywood adaptation can be), and inspiring. Chances are good I'll watch it at least once more!

Wonderful movie

My favorite films that are about two of my favorite artists are LUST FOR LIFE (1956) with Kirk Douglas as Vincent Van Gogh, and THE AGONY AND THE ECSTASY (1965) with Charlton Heston as Michelangelo Buonarotti. Both of these movies perfectly capture the passions and frustrations that come with the overwhelming urge to create. Carol Reed's meticulous screen adaptation of Irving Stone's novel, THE AGONY AND THE ECSTASY, brings vivid life to the story of how Pope Julius II commissioned an initially unwilling Michelangelo to paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. The film bristles with emotion as the two men clash on everything from their views on the work's conception and cost, to its style of expression and seemingly endless execution. Heston is magnificent as the sensitive, tempermental artist, and Rex Harrison is no less so as the warrior pope, who tries to reconcile his opposing secular and spiritual obligations. While they lock horns throughout the ceiling's slow progression, both men come to have a deep respect for each other, and realize that the finished fresco will serve a purpose greater than either one's contribution to it. It's a tribute to both actors' performances that none of this is overshadowed by the epic scale of the production, which accurately reproduces the period and does justice to the subject matter. The scenes of the ceiling in preliminary stages and the depiction of how difficult a task it was to paint are incredible and totally convincing. The film maintains an exceptionally fine standard in both its imagery and narrative. The pre-credit sequence showing several of Michelangelo's marble masterpieces is most appropriate. 20th Century Fox's DVD of THE AGONY AND THE ECSTASY looks beautiful; with rich, stable color saturation that pops from the screen. This is a film about art and obviously has to rely on pictorial splendor, which it delivers sumptuously. Inspiring on all levels, especially for artists, I highly recommend THE AGONY AND THE ECSTASY.

Michelangelo and the Pope go at it from two sides of the great story of creation. Michelangelo was a master creator, philosopher and artist. He didn’t want to paint the Chapel and the Pope forced him into it. He did not want to paint and preferred sculpture. Really also he didn’t want to paint a work “unworthy” of what he was tasked to illustrate… the act of Creation itself. At one point he scraps the whole thing & runs away to Carrera for new inspiration. Pope finds him & drags him back . Then, midway through the new idea rendering, he falls 7 stories from the scaffolding. The Medici daughter & longtime friend nurses him back to health. Then the pope doesn’t pay his fees and he’s forced to front the money for paint & assistants salaries. I lived less than a mile from the Vatican and I have wandered through the Vatican & Sistine chapel many times. The beauty of this chapel never ceases to amaze me, and as an artist, I really loved this story whose title described every artists duality in bringing to life our ideas… the Agony & the Ecstacy. Yes it’s an old film and not as realistic or polished as some of our Spielburg productions, but it always makes me cry. I purchased it for my collection.

Film magnifique, belle qualité son/image.

Excelente

La película es buenísima, el envío no tuvo problema alguno. Todos los seguidores del arte deberían verla. Impresionante la calidad de la ambientación.

Brilliant movie. Anyone who enjoys tension and history. Love the artwork. Highly recommended.

The critics were somewhat unkind to this film when it was first released in 1965. Critical opinions varied from "An absorbing epic drama..." to "About as exciting as watching paint dry..." to the best of all " When you sum up it up after almost two and a half hours, it all boils down to one man and his paint brush!". Harsh words perhaps, but speaking personally, I always found it a richly enjoyable movie experience. The contrasting styles of Heston and Harrison (along with their off screen animosity towards each other) enormously helped the drama and the conflict between two stubborn and unbending men, who both feel they have God on their side. Now that it has been released on Bu Ray, the stunning cinematography and the impeccable recreation of the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel can be seen to its full and impressive effect. What also greatly aids the film's impact, is having two of Hollywood's finest film composers working on the music soundtrack - Alex North & Jerry Goldsmith. While North provides the bulk of the moving musical backdrop, Goldsmith (uncredited) provides the sweeping music that accompanies the opening prologue. The only drawback from this Blu Ray release is the lack of any supplementals, but apart from that, it's gorgeous to look at and if in the right mood, gives any aspiring painter the inspiration to tackle an an overlooked ceiling!!