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This film is adapted from Irving Stone’s novel about Michelangelo’s interaction with Pope Julius II over the creation of the Sistine Chapel. You can’t ignore the religious aspect of the movie, but otherwise and regardless it is highly life-affirming. The drama revolves around Michelangelo’s inner conflicts and conflicts with Julius in having to paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, when he does not want to do the work especially, but is forced by the power of the church to paint it or be exiled from Italy. The film’s main themes are the passion and integrity of the artist, and the characters are complex and especially well-acted.
Included among the movie’s incredible dialogue (from memory and internet search, so may not be accurate):
Pope Julius II: “And this is how you see man? Noble, beautiful, unashamed?"
Michelangelo: “How else should I see him?”
"As he is, corrupt and evil, hands dripping with blood, destined for damnation. No, your picture is beautiful but [unrealistic].”
“Man’s evil he learned from himself, not from God. I wanted to paint man as he was first created, innocent, still free of sin, grateful for the gift of life.”
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