Barnes & Noble

Every bit as majestic as its title implies, this lushly produced period drama focuses on the conflict between Renaissance artist Michelangelo and his powerful patron, Pope Julius II, during the painting of the Sistine Chapel. The clash of personalities is vividly dramatized; Michelangelo (played by Charlton Heston) is depicted as austere but proud to the point of arrogance, while Julius (Rex Harrison), who was known as the “warrior pope,” projects urbanity and determination. Equally stubborn, these larger-than-life men make determined and articulate combatants, but the story plays out against a historical backdrop of political and religious upheaval, making the stakes much higher than the scoring of verbal points by one man or the other. Director Carol Reed, working from Philip Dunne’s colorful adaptation of Irving Stone’s bestselling novel, focuses on a turbulent four-year period during which Michelangelo labored on the famous ceiling frescoes. Heston portrays the artist with great passion, and his characterization perfectly complements that of Harrison, whose Julius is unwavering but pragmatic. Pungent dialogue, skillful acting, and meticulously realized period detail combine to make The Agony and the Ecstasy one of the most memorable films of its type ever made. Ed Hulse

All Movie Guide

Adapted by Philip Dunne from the novel by Irving Stone, The Agony and the Ecstacy is the story of the 16th century war of wills between Renaissance artist Michelangelo (Charlton Heston) and "warrior pope" Julius II (Rex Harrison). Commissioned to paint a religious fresco on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, the independent-minded Michelangelo balks at the assignment. He is virtually strongarmed into accepting the job by Pope Julius, who wants to leave something for future generations to remember him by. Director Carol Reed deftly juggles screen time between the Pope's activities on the battlefield and Michelangelo's slow, arduous completion of his monumental task. The film also gingerly approaches the subject of Michelangelo's sexual orientation vis-a-vis his relationship with the Contessina de Medici (Diane Cilento). Too long and limited in subject matter to score at the box office, The Agony and the Ecstacy holds up pretty well when seen today, especially when viewed in a wide-screen print. Hal Erickson

Product Details

• UPC: 024543148333
• Source: 20TH CENTURY FOX
• Region Code: 1
• Time: 2:18:00
• Sales Rank: 3,200

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