Not quite the disaster the critics made it out to be but hardly likely
to be remembered among the best of Carol Reed. It was a prestige
production done on a grand scale but neither Philip Dunne's screenplay
nor, indeed, Irving Stone's original novel were inspirational. The
subject, of course, is Michaelangelo's painting of the ceiling of the
Sistine Chapel and Charlton Heston, who else, is a hugely miscast
Michaelangelo, (he's heterosexual, for starters). He does what he can
with the part but the material defeats him. On the other hand, Rex
Harrison not only carries the movie but redeems it. He barnstorms his
way through the part of Pope Julius II, the man who commisioned
Michaelangelo in the first place. He even manages the fanciful dialogue,
barking it out as though it were Shakespeare. There's also a decent
supporting cast, both British and Italian, with the Italians largely
dubbed, but they too are wasted. Does it give us any insight into the
man or his work? Absolutely not, but as epics go it's a pleasant
enough time-passer.
The films reviewed here represent those I have liked or loved over the years. It is not a list of my favourite films but all the films reviewed here are worth seeing and worth seeking out. I know many of you won't agree with me on a lot of these but hopefully you will grant me, and the films that appear here, our place in the sun. Thanks for reading.
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