Obviously inspired by the success of the 1965 Epic 'The Agony and the Ecstasy" about the creation of the Sistene Chapel's amazing artwork, this film starring Mel Ferrer as the title character, Domenico Teotocopulo, deals with the church's attempts to control his work as well as the way he questions done of the methods of the church, being accused of heresy and put on trial. A romance with the beautiful
Rosanna Schiaffino creates further controversy as she is a Spanish noblewoman and he is merely working class. Adolfo Celi, as her father, is initially his mentor, but of course romancing a wealthy man's daughter is against principal in this hypocritical era.
Colorful but often slow, this has beautiful photography and location footage, andwhile Ferrer is the only American in the cast, this is obviously influenced by the great religious ethics of the 1950's and early 60's. There are some subplots involving hints of witchcraft from within the church's hierarchy, a very scary element (involving a spell containing toad's blood) that gives an interesting perspective on the ratio between good and evil. Ferrer is very sincere in his performance and fortunately underplays while he could have easily overemoted. This film comes rather late in the religious epic era, and even with films like "A Man For All Seasons" and "The Lion in Winter" to come, this seems a bit old fashioned. One scene involving a sword fight what hint at the fact that this was a late peplum film, but the religious epic aspect eliminates that. So you've got two fading genres within one film which is perhaps why it didn't do better.
Colorful but often slow, this has beautiful photography and location footage, andwhile Ferrer is the only American in the cast, this is obviously influenced by the great religious ethics of the 1950's and early 60's. There are some subplots involving hints of witchcraft from within the church's hierarchy, a very scary element (involving a spell containing toad's blood) that gives an interesting perspective on the ratio between good and evil. Ferrer is very sincere in his performance and fortunately underplays while he could have easily overemoted. This film comes rather late in the religious epic era, and even with films like "A Man For All Seasons" and "The Lion in Winter" to come, this seems a bit old fashioned. One scene involving a sword fight what hint at the fact that this was a late peplum film, but the religious epic aspect eliminates that. So you've got two fading genres within one film which is perhaps why it didn't do better.