The Agony and the Ecstasy (1965)

The biographical story of Michelangelo's troubles while painting the Sistine Chapel at the urging of Pope Julius II.

Director:

Carol Reed

Writers:

Irving Stone (based on the novel: "The Agony and the Ecstasy" by), Philip Dunne (screen story and screenplay)

Stars:

Charlton Heston, Rex Harrison, Diane Cilento

Nominated for 5 Oscars. Another 3 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Charlton Heston	...	Michelangelo
Rex Harrison	...	Pope Julius II
Diane Cilento	...	Contessina de'Medici
Harry Andrews	...	Bramante
Alberto Lupo	...	Francesco Maria della Rovere, duke of Urbino
Adolfo Celi	...	Cardinal Giovanni de' Medici (pope Leo X)
Venantino Venantini	...	Paris De Grassis
John Stacy	...	Sangallo
Fausto Tozzi	...	Foreman
Maxine Audley	...	Woman
Tomas Milian	...	Raphael

Storyline

Pope Julius II (Sir Rex Harrison) is eager to leave behind works by which he will be remembered. To this end he cajoles Michelangelo (Charlton Heston) into painting the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. When not on the battlefield uniting Italy, the Pope nags Michelangelo to speed up his painful work on the frescoes.

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Plot Keywords:

michelangelo | pope | sistine chapel | rome | renaissance | 

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Taglines:

From the age of magnificence comes a new magnificence in motion pictures

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | History

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Latin

Release Date:

16 September 1965 (West Germany)

Also Known As:

The Agony and the Ecstasy

Filming Locations:

Dino De Laurentiis Cinematografica Studios, Rome, Lazio, Italy

Box Office

Budget:

$10,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

International Classics

Technical Specs

Runtime:

138 min

Sound Mix:

70 mm 6-Track (Westrex Recording System) (70 mm prints) Mono (35 mm prints)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.20 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Sir Laurence Olivier was the studio's first choice to play Pope Julius II, but was unavailable.

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Goofs

Giovanni de' Medici (Pope Leo X) is portrayed in this movie as an older man in this film, however he was only in his 30s when the Sistine Chapel ceiling was painted and only 37 when elected Pope.

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Quotes

Contessina de Medici: Is it a crime that he wants the world to see it and share in his pride this... this fresco that he's forced you to paint, came day and night to watch, defended against its critics... this work of art, which to him has become a work of love.
Michelangelo: Of love?
Contessina de Medici: Yes, love. We always come back to that, don't we, Michelangelo? This one emotion which you seem unable to comprehend.
Michelangelo: Was it love that made him break his stick across my back?
Contessina de Medici: Love takes us in strange ways. It's the language of the blood. It's ...

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Connections

Referenced in Undergrunnen (1966)

User Reviews

"When will you end it??"

'Agony and the Ecstasy' is one heck of an attempt to be a big of a movie as possible. It's details the story of Pope Julius's commissioning of a reluctant Michelangelo to paint the roof of the Sistine chapel fer heaven's sakes!! It also two of the stars That Mattered In The 60's, Rex Harrison playing the Pope and Charlton Heston as Michelangelo! AND it runs for 2 and a half hours! I mean, this movie must mean something if they have a mini-biography of Michelangelo for the first 15 minutes, right? OK, despite it's too long running length, the movie is a fun sit through actually. It's not exactly a pompous costumed historical drama as it looks, sure there's a lot material covered here, but Heston and Harrison keep the story going quite well with their great portrayals here. I had seen this several years ago, and while Heston is good, it's Harrison who got my attention this time out, as his total control freak Pope character is quite entertaining to watch.

So again, a bit lengthy, but still entertaining.