Part 1: When there were only areas of darkness and deep shadow, there is now suddenly a wealth of detail and luminous color: purple ripples on a youth's stockinged leg; the scratchy grey of an old man's beard emerges soft and snowy white. In 1981, NTV was granted exclusive rights to document the progress of what has been hailed as the "most significant art event of the century": the restoration of Michelangelo's frescoes in the Sistine Chapel." This program is the reward of the first four years of our coverage.

Part 2: This documentary records the restoration of what has been called Michelangelo's crowning masterpiece, the Sistine Chapel ceiling frescoes. Once buried under 500 years of grime and neglect, the dynamic form, brilliant colors and unique style of Michelangelo have been rediscovered. We unveil in Part 2 not only the astonishing subtlety and skill in the magnificent ceiling, but also the events, struggles and his state of mind during the four years he spent in its creation.

Part 3: The 13-year restoration work revealed many surprising discoveries. One is Michelangelo's improved use of color and form in 400 figures drawn upon returning to being the Last Judgement 23 years after finishing the chapel ceiling. The program also documents the removal of loin cloths that had been added to many of Michelangelo's sub jects during the 18th century.