Search - The Agony and the Ecstasy on DVD

MPAA Rating: NR Content Advisory: Suitable for Children Movie Release: 1965 DVD Release: 02/22/2005 Format: DVD - Letterbox for TV - Closed Captioned Audio Tracks: English, French, Spanish Subtitles: English, Spanish SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 2 hrs 18 mins Studio: 20th Century Fox Members Wishing: 14 Genres: Drama, Epic, Biopic [feature], Historical Epic

Adapted by Philip Dunne from the novel by Irving Stone, The Agony and the Ecstacy is the story of the 16th century war of wills between Renaissance artist Michelangelo (Charlton Heston) and "warrior pope" Julius II (Rex Harrison). Commissioned to paint a religious fresco on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, the independent-minded Michelangelo balks at the assignment. He is virtually strongarmed into accepting the job by Pope Julius, who wants to leave something for future generations to remember him by. Director Carol Reed deftly juggles screen time between the Pope's activities on the battlefield and Michelangelo's slow, arduous completion of his monumental task. The film also gingerly approaches the subject of Michelangelo's sexual orientation vis-a-vis his relationship with the Contessina de Medici (Diane Cilento). Too long and limited in subject matter to score at the box office, The Agony and the Ecstacy holds up pretty well when seen today, especially when viewed in a wide-screen print. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Charlton Heston - Michelangelo
Rex Harrison - Pope Julius II
Diane Cilento - Contessina de' Medici
Harry Andrews - Bramante
Alberto Lupo - Duke of Urbino