The Agony and the Ecstasy

The Agony and the Ecstasy

138 mins | Drama, History | Sept. 16, 1965

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.

The Agony and the Ecstasy

138 mins | Drama, History | Sept. 16, 1965

The Agony and the Ecstasy
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.
IMDb rating 7.2
Producers 20th Century Fox, Dino de Laurentiis Cinematografica, International Classics
Original title The Agony and the Ecstasy
Directors Carol Reed
Writers Irving Stone, Philip Dunne

Cast

Charlton Heston

as Michelangelo

Rex Harrison

as Papa Giulio II

Diane Cilento

as Contessina de'Medici

Harry Andrews

as Bramante

Alberto Lupo

as Duca di Urbino

Adolfo Celi

as Giovanni de' Medici

Venantino Venantini

as Paride de Grassis

Tomas Milian

as Raffaello Sanzio

John Stacy

as Giuliano da Sangallo

Fausto Tozzi

as uomo

Maxine Audley

as donna

Andrea Giordana

as aiutante di Michelangelo

Furio Meniconi

as contadino

Adolfo Pezzini

as uomo alla cava

Paolo Magalotti

as guardia svizzera

Alec McCowen

as Cardinal

Richard Pearson

as Cardinal