Saturday, March 22, 2014

Flick Pick: The Agony and The Ecstasy

The Agony and The Ecstasy
(20th Century Fox, 1965)

Superb adaptation of Irving Stone's novel, pitting titanic performances of Charlton Heston's Michaelangelo Buanorroti against Rex Harrison's Pope Julius II, over the commission to paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Beautifully and stunningly shot when Hollywood films still paid homage to religion rather than open contempt (Noah, I'm looking at you) and on the most recent versions of this work, including a pre-movie featurette on the actual miraculous work of art that is the centerpiece of the film, and an inspiration to millions for centuries since it was first created. Simply magnificent and inspiring throughout.

2 comments:

Dan said...

Wait, are you implying that Hollywood can't make an action movie from a biblical story and be respectful of the source material? Say it ain't so! /end sarcasm

Aesop said...

I'm not implying anything.
I'm stating it outright.

Twenty directors could have done Noah right.
Paramount went out of their way to find someone who'd not only screw the pooch, but actually organize a gang bang.

And when the movie loses its financial pants, they'll all nod and say "See? Religious movies don't sell tickets!"

Like Passion Of The Christ didn't make Mel Gibson nearly a billionaire.