1963 Directed by Federico Fellini
One of the greatest films about film ever made, Federico Fellini’s 8½ (Otto e mezzo) turns one man’s artistic crisis into a grand epic of the cinema. An early working title for 8½ was The Beautiful Confusion, and Fellini’s masterpiece is exactly that: a shimmering dream, a circus, and a magic act.
Synopsis
A picture that goes beyond what men think about - because no man ever thought about it in quite this way!
Guido Anselmi, a film director, finds himself creatively barren at the peak of his career. Urged by his doctors to rest, Anselmi heads for a luxurious resort, but a sorry group gathers—his producer, staff, actors, wife, mistress, and relatives—each one begging him to get on with the show. In retreat from their dependency, he fantasizes about past women and dreams of his childhood.
Cast
Director
Producer
Writers
Editor
Cinematography
Production Design
Composer
Sound
Costumes
Make-Up
![Federico fellini 8-1 2 analysis Federico fellini 8-1 2 analysis](/uploads/1/2/5/7/125703675/207153388.jpg)
Studios
Countries
Languages
Alternative Titles
八又二分之一, Fellinis Achteinhalb, Fellini, ocho y medio, 8 1_2, 8 és 1/2, Nyolc és fél, Otto e Mezzo, 8과 1/2, 8 1/2, Rva nakhevari, Восемь с половиной, Вiсiм з половиною, 8.5, Eight and a Half, Federico Fellini's 8 1/2, Federico Fellini's 8½
Genres
139 mins More details at
Popular reviews
More- Federico Fellini. I've heard so much. As countless others have proclaimed, he was a master of the cinema. So, with massively high expectations, I dove head-first into my first Fellini.Simply put, 8 1/2 is magical.I have never seen a film that weaves in and out of a man's hopes, dreams, memories, desires, and worries so seamlessly. In fact, there is nothing like this. Nothing. I sat slack-jawed for 138 minutes, trying to comprehend how one individual could dream this high, and have a film soar that high as a result of his aspirations.The entire tapestry of the film is so layered, and yet, so monstrously entertaining, that you wonder if this is the perfect combination. The combination…
- 'Asa nisi masa.'Just as I walk into the room, it dawns on me that I'm unprepared. Whatever I was supposed to do, I didn't do it. I'm not finished yet. How did I get here? Why would I have come if I wasn't ready? The others are all there, looking and laughing, knowing I've made a fool of myself. I sit down because I know I have to, because I know it's what's expected of me, because I know it's what I'm supposed to do. But I'm not ready! I think, but my mouth won't move, and the looming authority has already begun--Awake. I roll over to check the time: still 30 minutes before I have to get…
- you're free, but you must learn to chooseGuido Anselmi To Direct New Film
Jan 5 1962Producer Pace has announced that world renowned Italian director Guido Anselmi will direct a new film this year. There is little information about the project, but we know it will be science fiction. One associate who wanted to remain anonymous said that Madeleine, the famous French actress, has expressed interest in the project. Shooting is set to begin in April.____________________________________Casting for Anselmi's New Film
March 10 1962Sources close to the director say that sex-symbol Claudia has been approached to star in Anselmi's new science-fiction film. There is no official word yet about casting other than famous film star Madeleine. An… - Finally, another classic Fellini off the list of shame. As I’ve only seen Nights of Cabiria, and completely loved it, I’m surprised that it took me this long.I can completely understand 8½ ‘s lofty position in the Sight and Sound Director’s poll, after all, I’m sure there isn’t a director out there that couldn’t commiserate with Guido Anselmi’s fictionalized, and Fellini’s authentic predicament.The job of a motion picture director is one of the most unique in the industry of art; probably more akin to an architect than an artist. Someone with bold vision, but also with the ability to lead, manage, choose, placate, empathize, inspire, defend; deal with setbacks, drawbacks, contrarians, critics, doubters, bad weather, and worst of…
- you haven't seen the color white until you've seen 8½ on 35mm.
- I just came to the conclusion that I prefer Fellini's more serious toned efforts like La Strada and Nights of Cabiria!Juliet of the spirits and 8 1/2 not so much! 8 1/2 is a good film and I can understand its importance and influence upon filmmaking! But if I'm not entertained on some level then it's simply not my bag!Especially if at some point it tests my endurance to the point it's teetering dangerously close to my breaking point with excessive scenes of the brooding artist and endless director/producer/cast chit chat that was not only annoying but added nothing to the film nor aids in its progression!What saved the film from hitting my Shit List were the…
Recent reviews
More- Absolutely deserves a rewatch.
- 8 1/2 handlar om regissören Guido som har en kreativ kris. Han arbetar just nu på ett storslaget men överdådigt rymdepos men har helt slut på idéer och fruktar att hans film kommer vara dålig. Vi får följa han stressiga vardag med alla i filmcrewet som ställer krav och press och hur hans kvinnor i sitt liv börjar tröttna på honom. Mitt i allt det här kaoset drömmer sig Guido bort till hur saker borde vara eller hur de kan komma att förvärra sig. Tillslut blir det nästan omöjligt att urskilja den tomma verkligheten från den surrealistiska drömmen då de båda helt saknar logik.Jag har hört väldigt mycket om hur Fellini, och framförallt den här filmen, har influerat typ…
- For once I was blind but now I cinematically can see. Thank you so fucking much Fellini for conjuring this thing up into existence. I’m still floating from the existential dreaminess I went through for the last 2 hours and 18 minutes. As a filmmaker this is the standard for how it feels to be ambitious yet creatively impotent at times when you’re in a nutless rut full of energy that doesn’t seem to go forward...for now. This is a filmmakers wet dream, literally a DREAM. I’m in love.
- This was extremely not for me. If I was a filmmaker or even a film student I think I would appreciate it more but as someone who is neither of those things I hated pretty much every second of it. For me it felt really self-indulgent, pretentious, and a chore to watch.
- Ok, I have watched the film that every filmmaker ever references in interviews. Now I can rest.
- i should be watching it in a theater, where i don't just wander away doing something else in the middle of a dialogue because i have no self discipline
- I did really, really like this film, don't get me wrong, but there was something slightly missing for me; perhaps if it had ended with him shooting himself (a moment that really shocked me) or had a slightly shorter run time. But I think there is potential for me to love this movie as much as everyone else once I have rewatched it. You definitely can't glean everything there is to glean from one viewing. There is SO much going on and everything's so exciting and musical and everything all at once that it's hard to process it. In a good way, I think.
- Thought it would be more relatable, as I struggle to finish what I've been creating for NEARLY 3 YEARS NOW
- It's hard watching 'masterpieces' for the first time without struggling with the critical baggage, both good (heightened expectations) and bad (heightened expectations). But in the end it's even harder denying a good film its due and it's nearly impossible to deny a great one.This is great film, a joyous, frustrating, revelatory experience, that, despite its length, pulses with a manic energy. Mastroianni is a touchstone of suave in his iconic black suit and glasses, but it's the depth he finds behind the facade that elevates this beyond being a meta romp. It's both the creative process and the male psyche opened and diseccted. PLUS
Popular Lists
MoreCollider's 100 Essential Movies Any Serious Film Fan Should See
All the films are listed and sorted by alphabetical order.
![Federico Fellini 8 1 2 Federico Fellini 8 1 2](/uploads/1/2/5/7/125703675/877618988.jpg)
Every Film Scorsese Mentions
I made a video of Scorsese mentioning a bunch of films he loves. These are all of them in the…
The Life of the Mind
A very rough list of eccentric cerebral films - films that are consisted of many wonderful imaginative ideas and creations,…