The Agony and the Ecstasy Page #8

Synopsis: Pope Julius is eager to leave behind works by which he will be remembered. To this end he cajoles Michelangelo into painting the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. When not on the battlefield uniting Italy, the Pope nags Michelangelo to speed up his painful work on the frescoes.
Director(s): Carol Reed
Production: Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment
  Nominated for 5 Oscars. Another 3 wins & 4 nominations.
 
IMDB:
7.2
Rotten Tomatoes:
86%
APPROVED
Year:
1965
138 min
1,445 Views


Have you no other duties?

Did you think I intended to die?

Vultures! Jackals!

Out of my sight! Out of my sight!

Out! Out!

Out!

What can I say?

I think there is more love here

than could ever exist...

between man and woman.

That's what you meant.

Buonarroti!

Something must be done about

that ruined wall, above the altar.

Another fresco, I think.

Yes, a Crucifixion,

or a Last Judgment.

Some noble subject

worthy of your hand.

But, your tomb,

Your Holiness promised me!

Will you always cross me,

Buonarroti?

You promised that after the

ceiling I could carve the tomb!

And now I make a condition

do the promise!

You will carve the tomb after

you have finished the fresco!

As you wish, Holy Father.

No, my son.

I will not hold you to that.

You are right. It is time

to begin work on the tomb.

There is need for it.

Very soon now I shall know...

whether your conception

of God is a true one.

Your Holiness recovered before.

I had not finished my work.

As you were so insolent

enough to point out.

Now it is finished,

and I am content.

And you?

Are you content, my son?

I still say painting

is not my trade.

I will give you my opinion:

I fear I shall be known.

As the Pope that drove

the invaders out of Italy.

But one who forced an unwilling

artist to complete his work.

Which is so much greater

than both of us.

You didn't force me, Holiness.

Your memory is short, Buonarroti.

I reached out my hand to you,

like God do Adam...

and forced you to accept life.

Only your hand had a stick in it.

Ah, I grant you that.

But Adam was not so stubborn...

not so unwilling to live as you.

You know, Buonarroti,

I almost let you off twice?

I was sorry for you.

Are you glad not that I did not?

I am grateful.

Save your gratitude for one

who deserves it.

No, no, not I.

I take no credit.

I was moved by another hand...

as easily and skillfully

as you move your brush.

Strange how He works His will.

Let us share pride in having been

made His instruments.

It's only painted plaster,

Holy Father.

No, my son.

It is more than that.

Much more.

What has it taught you,

Michelangelo?

That I am not alone.

And it has taught me

that the world is not alone.

When I stand before the Throne.

I shall throw your ceiling into

the balance against my sins.

Perhaps it will shorten

my time in Purgatory.

To work, my son.

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Irving Stone

To be distinguished from Irving I. Stone, philanthropistIrving Stone (born Tennenbaum, July 14, 1903, San Francisco, California – August 26, 1989, Los Angeles) was an American writer, chiefly known for his biographical novels of noted artists, politicians and intellectuals; among the best known are Lust for Life (1934), about the life of Vincent van Gogh, and The Agony and the Ecstasy (1961), about Michelangelo. more…

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Submitted on August 05, 2018

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