
The Agony and the Ecstasy
1965, Drama/History, 2h 16m
7 Reviews 2,500+ RatingsYou might also like
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Movie Info
Cast & Crew
Michelangelo
Pope Julius II
Contessina de'Medici
Bramante
Giovanni de' Medici

Paris De Grassis
Critic Reviews for The Agony and the Ecstasy
All Critics (7) | Fresh (6) | Rotten (1)
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Required viewing for the fan of pious filmmaking or the cinematographer in film school. From a story and character perspective, it's sadly very forgettable.
March 9, 2014 | Rating: 2/5 | Full Review… -
For some viewers, the agony will be watching Charlton Heston (over)act, and the ecstasy Rex Harrison. But it IS refreshing for a period film to cover such new and (pun intended) artistic ground.
March 2, 2014 | Rating: 7/10 | Full Review… -
As a chronicle of the artist Michelangelo, this is one of Carol Reed's most underwhelming films, though some of the production values are good.
July 6, 2010 | Rating: C+ | Full Review… -
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October 21, 2005 | Rating: 3/5 -
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February 9, 2003 | Rating: 5/5 -
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July 31, 2002 | Rating: 3/5
Audience Reviews for The Agony and the Ecstasy
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Apr 02, 2018What makes this film fascinating is the conflict between the two characters, which is centered mostly on a great dialogue that explores the motivations and creative process of a genius, with Charlton Heston delivering his typical overacting and Rex Harrison as magnetic as always.Carlos M Super Reviewer
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Feb 18, 2011Charlton Heston and Rex Harrison portray two of the Renaissance's most colorful figures in this brilliant historical epic drama based on Irving Stone's best selling novel. When Pope Julius II(Harrison)commissions Michelangelo(Heston) to paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel,the artist initially refuses. Virtually forced to do the job by Julius,Michelangelo later destroys his own work of art and therefore flees Rome. Nominated for three Oscars including Best Supporting Actor(Harrison),Best Director(Carol Reed),and Best Cinematopgraphy and was named of the year's best films by the National Board of Review,"The Agony and the Ecstasy" is a fascinating dramatization behind one of the world's artistic masterpieces. Filmed on location in Italy and Spain and shot in brilliant Todd-AO and Color and directed by the great British director Carol Reed,Charlton Heston and Rex Harrison(in their first and only film together)give two of the screen's best performances.Mister C Super Reviewer
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Jan 25, 2010The film is about Michelangelo Buonarotti, the Florentine painter, sculptor, architect and poet, one of the greatest and most versatile artists of the Renaissance who exerted an extraordinary influence on Western art... The story - based on the Irving Stone best-seller - tells of that period during Michelangelo's {Charlton Heston} life when he painted the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel...Arianeta L Super Reviewer
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Apr 12, 2009The battle of wills between Pope Julius II and Michaelangelo that culminated in the painting of The Sistine Chapel. Worth a watch.Marcus W Super Reviewer
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