A SEASON OF GIANTS
An accomplished Renaissance drama best reserved for discerning adults.
Should You Watch It?
A SEASON OF GIANTS offers a thoughtful, well-acted journey through the Italian High Renaissance. It portrays the artistic endeavors of Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and Raphael while also showing the political, religious, and cultural unrest surrounding them.
The miniseries has real historical and artistic interest. It presents creative genius, spiritual and moral questions, and the value of working with one’s hands. But two scenes involving sexual immorality keep it from being suitable for children or young teens.
If you are an adult who can engage those scenes with discernment, this is worth watching. For family viewing with children or young teens, choose something else.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESBeginning in Florence in 1492, A SEASON OF GIANTS follows Michelangelo as he loses the support of his influential patron and leaves the city to develop his craft. His journey brings him into contact with Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, religious leaders, political factions, and Pope Julius II.
As these artists pursue works that will define the High Renaissance, rivalry, friendship, faith, ambition, and artistic vision shape their lives.
Is It Any Good?
Three stars means a worthwhile but imperfect production. A SEASON OF GIANTS is provocative and quite well done overall, with fine performances and historical accuracy. Its portrayal of Michelangelo’s life gives the story a strong center and shows the vicissitudes of his artistic genius.
The compression of such a monumental period makes the miniseries seem somewhat contrived and artificial. Telling the stories of Michelangelo, da Vinci, Raphael, and other important figures accurately and completely is nearly impossible in one production. Still, the work offers substantial artistic and historical interest.
The Worldview
A SEASON OF GIANTS presents the Italian Renaissance as a time of remarkable artistic achievement alongside political unrest, religious conflict, vice, and worldliness. Savonarola condemns the paganism of the times and calls for spiritual and moral regeneration, though his severity and eventual downfall are also part of the story.
The film exalts artistic genius, discipline, invention, and the good work accomplished through human hands. Michelangelo’s desire to free the figure inside a block of marble expresses a vision of creativity as release, while da Vinci’s counsel that strength is found in solitude emphasizes the artist’s inward life. The film also portrays sexual immorality through Michelangelo’s dream of possessing Onoria and Raphael’s relationship with her.
The artists’ work can still provide an admirable example of using one’s gifts constructively. As Scripture says, “working with his hands the thing which is good” (Ephesians 4:28).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Content Summary
; some mild obscenities; fornication; and, violence.
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
The artists in the miniseries use their gifts through sustained work and discipline. How can you use the abilities God has given you to do something good?
Ephesians 4:28 · 1 Peter 4:10Savonarola speaks against vice and worldliness. What does it look like to pursue spiritual and moral renewal without becoming harsh or self-righteous?
Micah 6:8 · Galatians 6:1Michelangelo sees a figure struggling to get free from marble. How might this image help you think about creativity, patience, and the work God is doing in your life?
Philippians 1:6 · Colossians 3:23Raphael is portrayed as a lady’s man whose choices lead to sexual immorality. How can we honor God in our relationships and guard our hearts?
1 Thessalonians 4:3–5 · 1 Corinthians 6:18The Final Word
A SEASON OF GIANTS is a provocative, well-acted historical drama with genuine artistic and spiritual interest. Its two scenes of sexual immorality make it unsuitable for children and young teens. For discerning adults, it is WORTH WATCHING — ADULTS ONLY. For other family options, see.
