The Agony and the Ecstasy

"From the age of magnificence comes a new magnificence in motion pictures."

During the Italian Renaissance, Pope Julius II contracts the influential artist Michelangelo to sculpt 40 statues for his tomb. When the pope changes his mind and asks the sculptor to paint a mural in the Sistine Chapel, Michelangelo doubts his painting skills and abandons the project. Divine inspiration returns Michelangelo to the mural, but his artistic vision clashes with the pope's demanding personality and threatens the success of the historic painting.

Director: Carol Reed

Cast

Charlton Heston

Michelangelo

Rex Harrison

Papa Giulio II

Diane Cilento

Contessina de'Medici

Harry Andrews

Bramante

Alberto Lupo

Duca di Urbino

Adolfo Celi

Giovanni de' Medici

Venantino Venantini

Paride de Grassis

Tomas Milian

Raffaello Sanzio