The Agony and the Ecstasy

This film is a classic for all the right reasons: a truly great story of two epic lives entwining, two powerful actors, great Direction by Carol Reed, and luscious, artistic cinematography by Leon Shamroy (Academy Award nominated for Cinematography). Charlton Heston as Michelangelo and Rex Harrison as Pope Julius II (a warrior Pope) bring out the best in each other's performance, the interplay of their strengths driving each other higher. There simply are no weaknesses in these performances. The screenplay creates some awkward situations, perhaps to move the story along. I can not say Rex Harrison seems at ease on the battlefield, these scenes are an odd juxtaposition of boardroom at the battlefield, and that does not help. And we don't seem him leading a charge, which makes him look a bit ineffective, but these are directorial and editing choices. The casting of Diane Cilento as the only woman in this piece is the head scratcher. Out of all the actresses in the world at that time, who did she know to get this role? In another film her performance would have been fine, on par with other performances at this time, but contrasted to these two gritty leads, her performance seems flat and superficial. This role could and should have completed a trinity of unrequited obsession, hers being with Michelangelo, but it does not gel, and it is the big disappointment of the film. Jennifer Jones is the kind of actress who was needed, someone who could be quiet and simple, lusty and strong all at the same time. Still, this is the story of the men, and so perhaps that was part of the Director's intention, women did not have significance at that time, and we feel it in this film. This is the story of men creating their legacies, and it is a legacy in itself for Carol Reed, Rex Harrison, and Charlton Heston. It is a classic, beautiful to look at, and it will outlive them, and perpetuate their names and their art, as befits this story.

Wonderful movie

Great Acting Great Movie

Great drama excellent cast . Photography/Director outstanding. Interesting history based film.

Great movie

Excellent quality DVD. I received before the promised date. The mail package was padded offered good protection. The DVD was an original item and in new condition.

I kept seeing this movie on the shelf at my local video store, but -- although it starred two great actors, Rex Harrison and Charlton Heston -- as many times as I picked it up, I kept putting it back, not quite sure what the quality of the story might be. When I finally rented it, I wished I had watched it earlier! The Sistine Chapel set is fantastic, and the ceiling paintings are vibrant and look identical to the real ones. Impressive! I especially enjoyed the simple yet moving scene in which a discouraged Michelangelo -- who has run away from Rome and gone back to cutting marble in the mountains -- sees in the clouds what he must paint on the ceiling: God reaching out to Adam. Michelangelo stands in awe and quotes passages from Genesis. The conflict between Pope Julius and Michelangelo is both humorous and poignant. They anger one another yet they push one another to do the impossible. When the puzzled pope wants to know why Michelangelo left, he replies, "You beat me!" When the artist and the pope first interact on screen, the source of conflict is a sonnet Michelangelo wrote about Julius, quickly and simply setting up the push-pull nature of their relationship. There's a bit of reverse psychology that they pull on one another, too, which the pope employs better than the straight-forward Michelangelo, but the artist turns the tables on Julius, and rouses the pope from his deathbed with understated, serious humor (if there can be such a thing). It's historical fiction, so purists will have to take the FICTION into account when viewing this film. Don't sit down with a biography of Michelangelo or Pope Julius and search for facts. Just enjoy the story! However, the people and the main events of the story did exist, did know one another, did happen. I especially like the prologue to the film, an interesting and moving review of Michelangelo's architecture and sculpture. The DVD is enhanced, with the picture quality improved over the VHS version that I originally watched, so I definitely recommend the DVD. Enjoy!

Film magnifique, belle qualité son/image.

Excelente

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.

Excellent movie