The Agony and the Ecstasy
Directed by Carol Reed
Written by Philip Dunne based on the novel by Irving Stone
1965/USA/Italy
Twentieth Century Fox/International Classics/Dino de Laurentis Cinematografica/Cinecitta
First viewing/Netflix rental
[box] Raphael: [scoffs] You’ll always be an artist. You have no choice.[/box]
Looks like Carol Reed lost his vision when he started filming in color.
This docu-drama follows the story of Michelangelo’s (Charleton Heston) creation of the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. It begins with a 12-minute educational documentary about the artist and his work. “Warrior Pope” Julius II (Rex Harrison) is determined that Michelangelo will paint the ceiling despite all the artist’s protestations that he is “not a painter.” He also commands the singularly uninspiring idea that the ceiling will consist of images of the twelve apostles with “appropriate design”.
Michelangelo becomes obsessed with the project when the Pope finally agrees to let him paint his own vision. But the Pope doesn’t realize or accept that the vision will take years to execute. The two men continue to butt heads throughout.
This is a lot less than it could have been starting with the decision to lecture us about Michelangelo’s work rather than showing it in the context of the film. There are veiled references to the artist’s homosexuality though in the end we are left to think that he remained celibate in service of his Faith and his art. Really very little meat on this one’s bones.
The Agony and the Ecstasy was nominated for Academy Awards in the categories of: Best Cinematography, Color; Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Color; Best Costume Design, Color; Best Sound; Best Music, Score – Substantially Original.
