The Agony and the Ecstasy

Well written, well acted & beautifully filmed story of the Sistine Chapel artworks. When movies were extraordinary to see and story was king, this one held brilliant.

Excellent actors. When I first saw this film I knew nothing about the medieval pope’s life. It was still revisionist history. It shows how warlike they were but didn’t go into how active the sex life

Michelangelo and the Pope go at it from two sides of the great story of creation. Michelangelo was a master creator, philosopher and artist. He didn’t want to paint the Chapel and the Pope forced him into it. He did not want to paint and preferred sculpture. Really also he didn’t want to paint a work “unworthy” of what he was tasked to illustrate… the act of Creation itself. At one point he scraps the whole thing & runs away to Carrera for new inspiration. Pope finds him & drags him back . Then, midway through the new idea rendering, he falls 7 stories from the scaffolding. The Medici daughter & longtime friend nurses him back to health. Then the pope doesn’t pay his fees and he’s forced to front the money for paint & assistants salaries. I lived less than a mile from the Vatican and I have wandered through the Vatican & Sistine chapel many times. The beauty of this chapel never ceases to amaze me, and as an artist, I really loved this story whose title described every artists duality in bringing to life our ideas… the Agony & the Ecstacy. Yes it’s an old film and not as realistic or polished as some of our Spielburg productions, but it always makes me cry. I purchased it for my collection.

My husband watches this once or twice a year since he paints and sculpts on a casual local-artist level and has studied and learned and appreciated Michaelangelo's work for decades. Of course the movie was written and imagined for maximum drama, but the acting is excellent, and the story is moving. I saw it when it first came out in movie theaters and have watched it a few times with my husband, but I'm not an artist by any stretch of the imagination and won't watch it again. I would recommend it for artists and students of the era, if they understand it is a docu-drama and can be enjoyed as is or used as a springboard for research and seeking more factual (although undoubtedly less entertaining) information.

Learn a brief history of Michaelangelo and what he went through to create the Sistine Chapel masterpiece. The trials and the reason why it is called 'agony' and 'ecstasy' will be a strong impression on the viewer.

If you enjoy movies with Charleston Heston then you will like this movie.

An old movie that withstands the time.

(Caution ...a bit of a spoiler in my comments) I am so happy I ordered Agony and Ecstasy. Rex Harrison as always gives best portrayals of any character he plays. Charlton Heston no slouch either. Hubby and I are very impressed with the scene depictions of Michelangelo creating the ceiling of the Sistine. Excellent work by the set designers to say the least. It is a powerful story that Stone wrote and the movie depiction was very well done....Hollywood for once did not mess it up! Of course back in the 1960's and the decades prior, movies were mostly well produced and directed and a plethora of fine actors and actresses. Sure cannot make such a statement anymore nor been able to for many many years now.We watched it Easter night, a most enjoyable way to end another Celebration of Easter. The most moving scene for hubby and I was near the end, when the Harrison & Heston were up on the scaffold and Harrison as the Pope asks Michelangelo ..."is this really as you see Him ?" meaning God. Also, the director or producer or screenwriter who came up with the depiction of Michelangelo "seeing in the clouds" his true inspiration for the Sistine's central theme for the ceiling. Very believable that an artist would find his "muse" in that way.

Film magnifique, belle qualité son/image.

La película es buenísima, el envío no tuvo problema alguno. Todos los seguidores del arte deberían verla. Impresionante la calidad de la ambientación.

Brilliant movie. Anyone who enjoys tension and history. Love the artwork. Highly recommended.

One of those mammoth movies produced in the period when Giant Actors roamed the Earth. One cannot rekindle that spirit and that creativity in our modern times. Harrison and Heston are divine and interact with strength. Today most likely the director would focus more on gadgets and special effects. Who could play those 2 megastars now?? Liam Neeson and Hugh Grant?? To be seen...The material and physical quality of the movie you sent to us is of good standard.The delivery of the film was quick, spotless and spit spot.Enjoy your day. In Canada it is the Queen's birthday weekend. ByeMichel Laverdière

Excellent film Excellents acteurs Grand metteur en scène Carol Reed MichelAnge constructeur peintre sculpteur poète Michel Ange et le combat de volonté avec le pape guerrier Jules II Conflits et passions Superbe moment que ce film