The Agony and the Ecstasy (1965)

From the age of magnificence comes a new magnificence in motion pictures.

• Drama
• History

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.

Rating

7 / 10 (159 votes)

Release date

September 16, 1965

Runtime

2h 18m

Language

English

Director

Carol Reed

Status

Released