- Actors: Charlton Heston, Rex Harrison, Diane Cilento, Harry Andrews, Alberto Lupo
- Directors: Carol Reed
- Writers: Irving Stone, Philip Dunne
- Producers: Carol Reed
- Language English, Latin
- Classification: U
- Studio: Fox
- VHS Release Date: 1 Oct 1999
- Run Time: 138 minutes
- Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B00004COT3
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 15,947 in Video (See Top 100 in Video)
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Carol Reed (The Third Man) directed this 1965 portrait of the relationship between Michelangelo (Charlton Heston) and Pope Julius II (Rex Harrison), who commissioned the artist to paint the Sistine Chapel ceiling. Based on a novel by Irving Stone, the script of The Agony and the Ecstasy plods along, juggling the dynamics between the two men along with a somewhat perfunctory love story and distracting battle sequences. Reed seems more attuned to the nuances and great pains of the artistic process, as seen in sequences of Michelangelo working. But the overall focus of the film is unfortunately fuzzy. --Tom Keogh
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
22 of 22 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This fictionalized account of the painting of the Sistine Chapel ceiling focuses on the battle of wills between the artist, Michelangelo (Charlton Heston), and his patron, Pope Julius II (Rex Harrison). As the story opens, Michelangelo, already an established sculptor, is commissioned by the warrior Pope to decorate his ceiling. Michelangelo doesn't want to do it, preferring to concentrate on the 40 statues intended for Julius' tomb. But the Pope wins that battle, the first of many, for the two men are equally matched in their stubbornness and pride. Renaissance Rome is finely recreated with great sets and costumes, not to mention the step-by-step painting of the ceiling.
Both Michelangelo and Julius are portrayed as stiff-necked, driven men who use reverse-psychology on each other to get what they want. The dialogue is literate, but each line is delivered like a grand speech. We learn a great deal about Julius as a man and not as much about Michelangelo. These are great performances by Heston and Harrison; they play men with monumental egos and ambitions but infuse them with human faults and foibles. A wonderful documentary over-view of Michelangelo's work that precedes the film would have been better at the end. I enjoyed the film almost as much as Irving Stone's novel, and that's saying a lot.
Both Michelangelo and Julius are portrayed as stiff-necked, driven men who use reverse-psychology on each other to get what they want. The dialogue is literate, but each line is delivered like a grand speech. We learn a great deal about Julius as a man and not as much about Michelangelo. These are great performances by Heston and Harrison; they play men with monumental egos and ambitions but infuse them with human faults and foibles. A wonderful documentary over-view of Michelangelo's work that precedes the film would have been better at the end. I enjoyed the film almost as much as Irving Stone's novel, and that's saying a lot.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This movie is based on Irving Stone's book the Agony and the Ecstasy. Charlton Heston gave an awesome performance as the obstinate painter Michelangelo commissioned by the Pope Julius the 2nd (Rex Harrison) to paint the ceiling of the Sistine chapel.The project became a battle of wills between the two men, fuelled by artistic temperament and differences. This a great story turned into a fascinating movie, played by two iconic stars of our time. It is very inspiring, poignant and emotive. A great entertainment. I recommend.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
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.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
AGONY AND ECSTASY
FIRST CLASS. HAVING RECENTLY VISITED ITALY AND FLORENCE AND APPRECIATED THE SUPERB WORK OF MICHAELANGELO THE FILM HELPED US TO UNDERSTAND THE DRAMA OF HIS WORK AMIDST THE POLITICAL... Read more
Published 6 months ago by DEREK
Golden Oldie??
I must have been watching a different film to the other reviewers. Every possible cliche was used. The 12 minute prologue was excrutatingly patronising and the dialogue gut... Read more
Published 9 months ago by Debra
Whose ceiling is the Sistine?
SAFE READING - NO SPOILERS
Charlton Heston as Michelangelo and Rex Harrison as Pope Julius II depict the central figures in this wonderful film film very well; the... Read more
Charlton Heston as Michelangelo and Rex Harrison as Pope Julius II depict the central figures in this wonderful film film very well; the... Read more
Published 9 months ago by RR Waller
A most satisfying experience
Irving Stone's novel "The Agony and the Ecstasy" is a difficult subject to film because of its many subtleties and diverse characters. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Movielover
Golden Oldie!!
I saw this film many years ago and thought it might be a good way to get my art students involved in the context of art in the Renaissance. Read more
Published on 30 April 2009 by A. Jenkins
The Agony and the Ecstasy
This film made in 1965 stands the test of time well. If you are interested in Italian art especially Michelangelo this is for you. Read more
Published on 21 Mar 2009 by Pat C
A story over 450 years old and still amazing.
Charlton Heston (BenHur,El Cid,)Stars as Master Sculptor Michaleangilo in this classic epic from 1965 Based on Irving stones novel and directed by Carol Reed. Read more
Published on 16 Mar 2008 by Mr. Terry D. Jarvis
Heston plays Michael Angelo
This 1965 production of the "Agony and the Ectasy" an expensive production starring Charlton Heston as Michael Angelo and Rex Harrison as Pope Julius II is a very interesting... Read more
Published on 23 Aug 2005 by websurfer
great,but read the book
I thought this film was great,and then i read the book which has completely changed my life.I also think that the film chose a funny chapter in his life to portray and as amazing... Read more
Published on 5 Jun 2001
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