The Agony and the Ecstasy

Charlton Heston,Diane Cilento,Tomas Milian,Marvin Miller

Pope Julius II (Sir Rex Harrison) is eager to leave behind works by which he will be remembered. To this end he cajoles Michelangelo (Charlton Heston) 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.—Ed Stephan