The Agony and the Ecstasy
The Agony and the Ecstasy
| 16 September 1965 (USA)
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During the Italian Renaissance, Pope Julius II contracts the influential artist Michelangelo to sculpt 40 statues for his tomb. When the pope changes his mind and asks the sculptor to paint a mural in the Sistine Chapel, Michelangelo doubts his painting skills and abandons the project. Divine inspiration returns Michelangelo to the mural, but his artistic vision clashes with the pope's demanding personality and threatens the success of the historic painting.

Reviews
Jeanskynebu

the audience applauded

Wordiezett

So much average

Iseerphia

All that we are seeing on the screen is happening with real people, real action sequences in the background, forcing the eye to watch as if we were there.

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Cissy Évelyne

It really made me laugh, but for some moments I was tearing up because I could relate so much.

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Kirpianuscus

like many historical films from the same age of Hollywood, the word "impressive" is the first to say. not only for its status of epic drama, costumes and the translation in image of a period. but, maybe , more important, for the admirable clash between Rex Harrison and Charlton Heston. and for the feel than a great story has its right and fair adaptation. because something impose "The Agony and the Ectasy" as special. not the biography of a great artist - and the admirable virtue is to know than Heston is Michelangelo not only act him - but the chance to discover yourself. the film, like the book, it is a beautiful eulogy to the life. using a genius as character of a kind of parable about art, proud, honesty and desire. so, just impressive. in this case - a word with deep roots.

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Jared Peters

I absolutely love this film! As a performing artist and art enthusiast, I believe this film does a phenomenal job representing the struggle and beauty of creating something. The Agony and the Ecstasy also demonstrates very well how often times, we as people have a bitter-sweet relationship with things we have to do but want to do well. Michelangelo didn't want to paint the ceiling in the film, but if he was going to, he wanted it to be the best work he could do at the time. This kind of motivation and dedication to your craft is very inspirational to me and this is my favorite film to watch when I am looking for motivation in my life. I noticed when watching the film, the style in which it is filmed reminds me of the kinds of shots and filters you might see in Ben-Hur or El Cid, which would make sense because this is another remarkable Charlton Heston film. This is definitely a great film I would recommend to anybody!

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LeonLouisRicci

Changing Taste in Popular Culture found this Movie at the End of the Epic Big Budget Historical/Biblical Extravaganzas and this was a Testament to the Volatile Times as it Lost Much Money and was a Critical and Box Office Mediocrity.That is not to say that is what the Film Represents, because it is a Magnificent Production with Elaborate Scenes, Exquisite Costuming, and Respectable Performances. The Story of Michelangelo's at First Reluctance and then Overwhelming Devotion to Painting the Ceiling of the Sistine Chapel and His Ongoing Battle of Words and Wits with Pope Julius II is Captivating Cinema.It is Virtually a Two Man Show and Much of it is in the Setting of the Development of the Four Year Long On Again Off Again Project that Ended in One of History's Most Iconic Artistic Achievements. It is Informative and Illustrious to Behold, the Process and Pain that it took to Endure the Creation of that Masterpiece. The Film is Long and Wordy but Never Fails to Capture the Essence of the Two Men and the Heart of the Matter is Unveiled.Never Overly Pious, as these Things tend to be, this is Essential Viewing for Art Students and Lovers and as a Film it is Well Done and Glorious to Watch.

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lasttimeisaw

The film is an epic grandeur feature of a interpersonal tug-of-war between the maestro Michelangelo and Pope Julius II.I cannot help being shell-shocked to see the reconstruction of the magnificent ceiling though recognizably most of which is the trickery of montage (not in the real the Sistine Chapel, the location was inside Cinecitta Italy instead), but bathing under the glamour and solemnness of the visual wonders, I am stunned to exude my admiration and awe!The two leads conspicuously stimulate a Moses versus Caesar confrontation, Charlton Heston seems to be more boorish than artistic to manifest a struggled Michelangelo, may God doesn't distinguish his people by their looks. The "agony and ecstasy" is watered down to an underwhelming stalemate thanks to Charlton's outlandish incarnation as the most eminent artist of that time. Rex Harrison, is by far and large worthy another Oscar nomination for his arresting devotedness, which is apt to impress the audience with a mind-blowing bi-polar characterization while good and evil coexist at the same time.The film was a grave box office fiasco when it came out in 1965, however, judging by my appraisement, its merits still can be appreciated by our generation (a well-balanced script, the haunting original score and all the props and settings). However, the film entirely skipped Michelangelo's sexual orientation and awkwardly ploys a portentous conversation between Michelangelo and his admirer Contessina de'Medici (a over-wise Diane Cilento), which unveiled its cowardliness and helplessness.My final remark is that as time goes by ruthlessly, art stands still and never fades away, so lucky enough cinema is yet a part of it.

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