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Poster for The Agony and the Ecstasy

The Agony and the Ecstasy

Seen it?

1965 | 138 min | Drama, History

Saturday Specialearly rating

Why it’s a Saturday Special

It earned strong reviews (86% on Rotten Tomatoes) and it drew serious awards attention, despite a box office loss. A strong pick for the weekend.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for history buffs. If you loved Ben-Hur or Amadeus, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood
Thoughtful and character-driven.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr 18 min.
What might put you off
  • Made in 1965: an older pace and style.
  • Audiences were cooler on it than critics.

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.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsStrong

    86% on Rotten Tomatoes

  • AudiencesSolid

    7.0 out of 10

  • AwardsStrong

    Nominated for 5 Oscars.

  • Box office & staying powerBelow par

    $8 million worldwide on a $10 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactSolid

    About 46K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Carol Reed

  • Charlton HestonMichelangelo
  • Rex HarrisonPapa Giulio II
  • Diane CilentoContessina de'Medici
  • Harry AndrewsBramante
  • Alberto LupoDuca di Urbino
  • Adolfo CeliGiovanni de' Medici
  • Venantino VenantiniParide de Grassis
  • Tomas MilianRaffaello Sanzio
  • John StacyGiuliano da Sangallo
  • Fausto Tozziuomo