Michelangelo: Love and Death [cert TBC]

about this film

The spectacular sculptures and paintings of Michelangelo seem so familiar to us, but what do we really know about this Renaissance giant? Michelangelo’s genius is evident in everything he touched. Beautiful and diverse works such as the towering statue of David, the moving Pietà in the Papal Basilica of St. Peter and his tour-de-force, the Sistine Chapel ceiling, still leave us breathless today.

Spanning his 88 years, Michelangelo – Love and Death takes a cinematic journey through the print and drawing rooms of Europe through the great chapels and museums of Florence, Rome and the Vatican to seek out a deeper understanding of this legendary figure’s tempestuous life, his relationship with his contemporaries and his incredible legacy.

Through expert commentary, stunning visuals and Michelangelo’s own words, this film takes a fresh look at a master artist whose life and genius are celebrated in every mark he made. Returning to cinemas in 2025 to celebrate this iconic artist’s 550th birthday.

Sculptor, painter, architect, poet, genius – discover why Michelangelo is without a doubt one of the greatest artists of all time.

From the Producer – Phil Grabsky

I was surprised recently to read a poll of who is considered the greatest artist of all time. It wasn’t Monet, nor Leonardo, nor Van Gogh. It was Michelangelo.
As a child, I remember watching the Hollywood film Agony & Ecstacy which has a really very surprising start – a short documentary about the life of Michelangelo, before the main fictional film began about the relationship between Michelangelo and Pope Julius II. I remember feeling the Sistine Chapel looked impressive but I didn’t then, nor subsequently, have him ranked in my own mind as the greatest artist ever. Nor did that change when I actually went as an adult to visit the Sistine. The seemingly endless queue
and crowds took the edge off what, to me, was an overwhelming ceiling and walls. It was certainly impressive as one man’s achievement but I wasn’t awed.
However, I then went in to the Vatican church to see his statue, the Pietá. Then I understood. It was literally breath-taking – I simply forgot to breathe so impressed was I by the art in front of me. Just how did an ordinary human being carve such a beautiful work from a block of mountain stone. In that moment I decided one day I had to make a film about the artist behind the art.
That moment has now arrived. This film is not based on any specific exhibition (as half of the Exhibition on Screen films are) but on my and my team’s desire to make a broad biographical film about this extraordinary man. And to show you as much of his art as possible – and explain the whys, whens and whats.
I think I have always fallen in to the Leonardo camp when weighing up who was the greatest of the three Renaissance masters. But this film – directed by my good friend and fabulous director David Bickerstaff – gave me the opportunity to look again at familiar works like the Pietá, the Sistine Chapel and indeed lesser known works like The Crouching Boy at the Hermitage and even the Laurentian Library and its amazing staircase. My conclusion – having worked on this film and watched it many times – is that it is impossible really to choose between Leonardo, Michelangelo and Raphael – we should just feel enormous gratitude that events conspired to produce them and their work. I leave you to make up your own mind whether Michelangelo – after watching this film – edges to the top spot, but he doesn’t really need to as long as there were a few moments as you’re watching when you are so stunned by the quality of his art that you might, just for a second, forget to breathe. 

‘Filmed in luminous close-up… a fascinating look at one of the greatest artists of all time’ – Sydney Arts Guide

official trailer

about the barn

The Barn Cinema offers a truly unique experience: a wide-ranging film programme, including independent arthouse, world and mainstream cinema, all within a truly beautiful, renovated 15th century barn. It is also available to hire for birthday parties and private events.