The Agony and the Ecstasy (film)
The Agony and the Ecstasy is a 1965 American film directed by Carol Reed, starring Charlton Heston as Michelangelo and Rex Harrison as Pope Julius II. The film was partly based on Irving Stones biographical novel of the same name. This film deals with the conflicts of Michelangelo and Pope Julius II during the painting of the Sistine Chapels ceiling. It also features a soundtrack cowritten by prolific composers Alex North and Jerry Goldsmith.
Michelangelo Buonarroti, a sculptor from Florence, is first commissioned to craft the Popes tomb in Rome. Instead, Pope Julius II orders him to paint frescoes on the Sistine Chapel ceiling depicting the Twelve Apostles. After his first attempt at painting the Apostles, he destroys his work and flees to Carrara to quarry Carrara marble. He evades the popes guard and flees into the mountains, where he becomes inspired.On a battlefield, Michelangelo convinces the Pope to change the grand design and paint not just the panels of the ceiling, but the entire vault. The work proceeds nonstop, even with mass in session. Months turn to years. Michelangelo is accused of blasphemy and heresy by portraying Pagan symbols and myths, but is allowed to continue. Buonarroti suffers from blindness as a result of paint poisoning, and fatigue from overwork. While recovering, the Popes architect Donato Bramante pressures the Pope to use Raphael to finish the ceiling. But Michelangelo garners the strength to continue. Meanwhile, the Popes army is threatened by French and German forces, and Cardinals recommend fleeing Rome to safer territory. The painting scaffolds are torn down, and the commission is given to Raphael. Insulted and beaten, Michelangelo packs for Florence. Raphael, impressed with the work done, pleads with Buonarroti to finish his work. Contessina deMedici, a former lover, convinces Buonarroti to beg the Pope for the commission again. A battlebruised Pope is convinced a sacking of Rome is in order, but gives permission to continue painting. ........
Source: Wikipedia
