The Agony and the Ecstasy Movie Review 1965

Big-budget (for 1965 anyway at $12 million) adaptation of the Irving Stone book recounts the conflict between Michelangelo and Pope Julius II after His Holiness directs the artist to paint the Sistine Chapel. Follow the tortured artist through his unpredictable creative process and the hours (it seems literal due to movie length) of painting flat on his back. Heston exudes quiet strength in his sincere interpretation of the genius artist, while Harrison has a fling as the Pope. Slow script is not up to the generally good performances. Disappointing at the boxoffice, but worth a look on the small screen for the sets alone.

Distribution

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Available on VHS
Running time 136 minutes.

Cast and Crew

Genres

Historical Drama, Art & Artists, Nuns & Priests, Religious Epics, Sculptors, Historical Romance

Screenplay

Philip Dunne

Cast

Charlton Heston, Rex Harrison, Harry Andrews, Diane Cilento, Alberto Lupo, Adolfo Celi

Cinematography

Leon Shamroy

Director

Carol Reed

Music

Jerry Goldsmith, Alex North

Producer

20th Century-Fox

Awards

Natl. Bd. of Review 1965: Support. Actor (Andrews).