The Agony and the Ecstasy (1965)

VHS CASE/SIDE

Length of film:  138 Minutes

Rated: U

Genre: Drama, Biography, History

Director: Carol Reed

Starring: Charlton Heston, Rex Harrison, Diane Cilento, Harry Andrews, Alberto Lupo, Adolfo Celi

IMDB Rank: 7.1/10

Part 1 Time:  63 Minutes

Part 2 Time:  76 Minutes

Where does the first part end? While walking on top of a mountain, Michelangelo (Charlton Heston) stops to admire the sky around him.

Final line of dialogue on the first part: Michelangelo speaks to himself stating “And fallow that may fly above the Earth in the open firmament of heaven.”

First line of dialogue on the second part: “The envoy is returning.” A Papel States solider speaks to another.

How jarring is it when the first part ends? Minimal, Michelangelo (who is still hiding from Pope Julius II) finds the inspiration he needs to paint the Sistine Chapel, while looking at nature.

Which part is better? Part one explores Michelangelo’s struggle to paint the Twelve Apostles within the Sistine Chapel. Part two, outlines Michelangelo’s return to the Sistine Chapel with his vision to paint the entire vault with various biblical scenes. Part two is significantly better as we are able to see not only the techniques used by Michelangelo and struggles he faced in painting the Sistine Chapel ceiling, but also his dysfunctional relationship with Pope Julius II (Rex Harrison).

Academy Awards: Best Cinematography Colour (Nominated), Best Art Direction- Set Decoration Colour (Nominated), Best Costume Design Colour (Nominated), Best Sound (Nominated), Best Music, Score- Substantially Original (Nominated)