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Customer Reviews of The Agony and the Ecstasy

Inspirational Art: Charlton Heston Is Michaelangelo
1965: Carol Reed, director of "The Third Man" produces a superb film about the life of the Renaissance master artist and sculptor, Michaelangelo, based on the novel by Irving Stone. Who would have thought that Charlton Heston, the 50's and 60's actor most known for his heroic masculine, larger than life roles such as Moses from "The Ten Commandments" would play the peaceful, pensive artist who created the world's most beautiful cathedral, the Sistine Chapel. Irving Stone's novel focuses on this period in Michaelangelo's life, especially his prominence in Florentine society. The film revolves around Michaelangelo's commission by Pope Julius II to create the Sistine Chapel, a timeless masterpiece for all the ages. In doing so, Michaelangelo takes a tremendous risk, for the Pope can be a very fierce man- at one point he even slaps Michaelangelo.

Historical inaccuracies pop up as is always the case in historic fiction. For example, Michaelangelo's painting of "The Creation of Man" (God reaching out his hand to touch Adam with life) is portrayed here as Michaelangelo drawing inspiration from the heavens themselves- a ray of light from a cloud. There is romance to the film, not only in aesthetic sense, but in a subplot involving the daughter of a Renaissance art patron who falls for Michaelangelo.

The rest is purely a feast for the eyes- the high views of Florence with its towering cathedrals and bell towers, the Pieta statues, the Sistine Chapel's interior, fountains and Italian villages. Rex Harris (My Fair Lady) portrays the seemingly indifferent Pope, who is troubled by unrest and war. The relationship between Michaelangelo and Pope Julius is truly the most striking aspect of the drama.

Both Rex Harrison and Charlton Heston should have won Oscars for roles which were outside their mainstream performances. The Pope and Michaelangelo have a intense relationship, one of compromise, one of admiration and loyalty, one of devotion to God. Michaelangelo as an individual is of course the very essence of this film, particularily as he struggles with social issues and inner conflict to paint the Sistine Chapel.

The Agony and the Ecstasy is just that- the pain of creation, or "giving birth" to something so magnificent and the pleasure and enjoyment of the finished work in the end. Of course this can apply to the fundamentalist view of God's creation, who "rested" after making the world and found it to be "good". This is a great film and educational for art history students. Five stars. Well done. I would like to end with an interesting fact. One of Michaelangelo's last written memoirs or documents was found in his studio, a letter of advice given to an apprentice of his. It read something like this "But above all, draw Antonio! Draw!."

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Almost like a fresco...
Based on the famous book by Irving Stone ,this 1965 film portrays the stormy relationship between the genius Michelangelo and his patron,the warrior pope Julius the IInd(Erasmus's'Julius Exclusus').The performances of both Charlton Heston (Michelangelo)and Rex Harrison(Pope Julius)are out of this world while the entire cast,decor and settings wonderfully reconstitute the world of the Italian Renaissance.Is this film historically accurate?Totally irrelevant since it creates a mesmerizing and true to life story that is utterly moving and compelling being somewhere in between a movie and a play.

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"I planned a ceiling, he planned a miracle"
There is no other film on the subject of art that is better than this one in my opinion. Irving Stone's best-seller was a great read, but in this case the film is better than the book. It centers on the creation of the Sistine Chapel ceiling, and the contentious but invigorating relationship between Michelangelo and Pope Julius II; one drove the other "to complete his work", and even their verbal battles were productive. It is about the courage of putting one's vision into reality, the hard work, and the faith in one's self and in God.

The script by Irving Stone and Philip Dunne is fabulous; the words flow like sweet wine and there is not a single unnecessary scene, or rarely one that is not meaningful. The direction by Carol Reed is meticulous, the cinematography by Leon Shamroy a marvel, and the score by Alex North adds much to the film. The costuming and sets are lavish for the papal quarters and the Medici household, and give one a sense of 16th century Rome, and the depictions of the fresco painting technique is interesting and educational.

Charlton Heston, gaunt and bearded, is brilliant as Michelangelo, as is Rex Harrison as the warrior pope. The interactions of these two actors is riveting, and the dialogue between them worth hearing repeatedly. Others of note in the cast include Diane Cilento as the Contessina de Medici, Harry Andrews as Bramante, and Tomas Milian as Raphael (the most famous papal portrait I know of is by Raphael, of Pope Julian II).

Though Stone's book and script take much artistic license, there is also a good deal of accuracy. This period of 16th century Italy was one of the most fascinating in all world history, and Pope Julius II was not only one of its greatest art patrons, but also an extraordinary man.
This is a film that moves me to tears with its beauty, and brightens my mind with its words. If you are interested in the artistic process, don't miss this magnificent film.

The film includes a Prologue, a mini-documentary of modern-day Rome and Florence, which traces Michelangelo's life, from his birth in Tuscany in 1475, showing his many wondrous works, including an early sculpture he did at the age of 15, through his death in 1564. Total running time is 139 minutes.