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The Agony and the Ecstasy

1965·Movie
2h 18min
79
GreatGoodWatch score

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No stream option in US yet.

The Agony and the Ecstasy fingerprint

Strong craft, striking style, a touch of humor.

Energy

Calm and low-key

Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.

  • Tension6
  • Spectacle6
  • Adrenaline4

Heart

Moving and wondrous

  • Pathos7
  • Wonder7
  • Melancholy6

Humor

A little humor

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Wit & Wordplay4
  • Satire & Parody2
  • Dark Humor2

World

History, a real life story, and the mind

Lived-in and easy to get lost in.

  • World Immersion8
  • Dialogue Centrality8
  • Rewatchability7

Craft

Standout performances and characters

  • Acting8
  • Character Depth8
  • Direction7

Style

Functional look and sound

  • Cinematography7
  • Editing7
  • Music Composition7

Who it's for

AdultsDate NightFriends NightPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchTeensPure EscapismThought-Provoking

Skip it if

You want fast pacing

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Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

From the age of magnificence comes a new magnificence in motion pictures.

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.
Historical DramaRenaissance ArtBiographicalMichelangeloSistine ChapelArtistic VisionPolitical IntrigueSlow BurnCharacter Study

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about The Agony and the Ecstasy

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Agony and the Ecstasy legally?

You can rent or buy it from Apple TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Google Play Movies. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is The Agony and the Ecstasy worth watching?

79
GreatGoodWatch score

Yes. It's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 80/100 (IMDb 7.2 and Rotten Tomatoes 86%). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

How long is The Agony and the Ecstasy?

2 h 18 min

The Agony and the Ecstasy runs 2 h 18 min.

Is The Agony and the Ecstasy based on a true story?

Yes. It's based on real events or a real person's life.

Do critics and audiences agree on The Agony and the Ecstasy?

Critics86
Audiences75

Not quite. Critics rate The Agony and the Ecstasy higher (86) than audiences (75). It may be more rewarding than it is crowd-pleasing.

Was The Agony and the Ecstasy a box office hit?

Budget$10 million
Box office$4 million

No. It cost about $10 million to make and earned $4 million worldwide, 40% of its budget.

What language is The Agony and the Ecstasy in?

EnglishLatin

It was made in English, with some Latin. Produced in United States.

In how many countries can I watch The Agony and the Ecstasy?

19AEAUAZBRCACVESGBGGIEMUMZNLNZ+5

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for The Agony and the Ecstasy in 19 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does The Agony and the Ecstasy use?

Prolonged PrologueEpic MovieRunning GagThe Noun and the NounWarrior MonkAge LiftChurch MilitantDeadpan SnarkerDeterminatorThe Film of the BookIntermissionLast-Name Basisand 9 more

TV Tropes lists 21 storytelling tropes for The Agony and the Ecstasy, including Prolonged Prologue, Epic Movie, Running Gag.