Basic
Info
Title:
The Agony and the Ecstasy
Genre:
Drama
Country:
United States
Language:
English
Production
company: International Classics
Distributed
by: 20th Century Fox
Running
time: 138 minutes
Release
date: October 7, 1965
Staff
Staff
Director:
Carol Reed
Producer:
Carol Reed
Screenplay:
Philip Dunne
Based
on: The Agony and the Ecstasy by Irving Stone
Music:
Jerry Goldsmith, Alex North
Cinematography:
Leon Shamroy
Editor:
Samuel E. Beetley
Cast
Charlton Heston (Michelangelo Buonarroti)
Rex Harrison (Pope Julius II)
Diane Cilento (Contessina Antonia Romola de' Medici)
Harry Andrews (Donato Bramante)
Alberto Lupo (Duke of Urbino)
Adolfo Celi (Giovanni de' Medici)
Venantino Venantini (Paris De Grassis)
John Stacy (Giuliano da Sangallo)
Fausto Tozzi (Foreman)
Maxine Audley (Woman)
Tomas Milian (Raphael)
Summary
"The Agony and the Ecstasy" is an
American film directed by Carol Reed in 1965 starring Charlton Heston as Michelangelo
and Rex Harrison as Pope Julius II. The film was based in part on the biographical
novel of the same title that Irving Stone wrote in 1961. The film deals with
the conflicts between Michelangelo and Pope Julius II while painting the
ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. It also features a soundtrack created by
prolific composers Alex North and Jerry Goldsmith.
Movie
Review
“Battle of Wills between Michelangelo and
Pope Julius—Fascinating”
“Historical picture about two greatest
Renaissance figures: Michelangelo and Julius II”
“They don't come much more epic than this”
“A proof of faith and a battle of wills...”
“Excellent historical drama”
“Truly a real 'Art' film”
“Creating A Wonder”
“Exquisite film. Hollywood would never make
something like this today”
“One of Hestons best”
“Impressive”
Interesting
stories about the film
1. The mountain quarry that Michelangelo
flees after destroying his first ceiling-panel paintings was actual Carrara,
Massa-Carrara in Tuscany, source of marble for Michelangelo's sculptures and close
to his hometown.
2. The two actors don’t necessarily have to
be bad relation to play antagonists, but Rex Harrison did not get along with Charlton
Heston during the filming. When filming “The Prince and the Pauper (1977)",
he also completely avoided Heston.
3. When Michelangelo lies on his back under
the fresco, the dark "paint" dripping into his mouth was actually
chocolate pudding.
4. At first, Laurence Olivier was chosen as
the role of Pope Julius II, but it was not available.
5. The movie was originally scheduled to be
filmed in 1961, starring Burt Lancaster, but production was delayed for three
years. Richard Burton and Marlon Brando were also considered for the lead.
6. Irving
Stone, the author of the book upon which this film was based, lived in Rome for
about four years, traveling throughout Italy for research, working in quarries
and apprenticing to a sculptor.
Thank you.
