8 1/2 (Criterion)
One of the greatest films about film ever made, Federico Fellini's 8 1/2 (Otto e mezzo) turns one man's artistic crisis into a grand epic of the cinema. Guido Anselmi (Marcello Mastrioanni) is a director whose film -- and life -- is collapsing around him. An early working title for the film was La Bella Confusione (The Beautiful Confusion), and Fellini's masterpiece is exactly that: a shimmering dream, a circus, and a magic act.
The Criterion Collection is proud to present the 1963 Academy Award® winner for Best Foreign-Language Film - one of the most written about, talked about and imitated movies of all time -- in a beautifully restored new all digital transfer. Disc Two features Fellini's rarely seen first film for television Fellini: A Director's Notebook (1969). Produced by Peter Goldfarb, this "imagined documentary" of Fellini on Fellini is a kaleidoscope of unfinished projects, all of which provide a fascinating and candid window into the director's unique and creative process.
Member Reviews
One of the greatest (and first) Meta-movies - Cristiano
This is definitely one of the precursors of the meta movies we see today. I could not stop comparing it to Adaptation (at least in the sense of a writer having trouble writing a movie).
Besides this, it has a great message about life and it is shown through the troubles afflicting an already recognized movie writer.
It is definitely a movie that you have the be in the mood to watch or you would certainly give up in the first minutes. Stick with it and you will have a great time.A Film Lovers Dream - JasonTHX
Much has been written about "8 1/2" - Fellini's Semi autobiographical chronicle about a filmaker who is creatively and emotionally bankrupt. Actually at the Time Fellini was bursting with creativity - Between "La Dolce Vita" and "8 1/2 (Otto E Mezzo)" Fellini made two short films in anthologies: "Boccacio 70" and "Spirits Of The Dead". Fellini decided to make a film chronicling the life of a creative spirit overwhelmed with conflict, responsibility and self doubt. This is why "8 1/2" resonates so strongly. It is one of the most honest documents of the human condition ever put to film.
It examines the inner turmoil must of us face each day. "Am I good at what I do?" "Am I A fraud" "Am I worth Loving? Am I capable of loving others?" Uncomfortable - Yes, unless you are extremely secure in life but who among us, is truly? This film is challenging and you have to be prepared for that. It is undeniably beautiful filmaking and it is one of the most potent works of film ever made.
"8 1/2" tells the story of Guido Anselmi, A talented (but perhaps lucky) filmaker who feels he is unable to live up to expectations thrust upon him from Producers, Crew, Actors, The Church His wife and his mistress. He tells anybody he can he's not as strong as what others make him out to be but nobody will listen. The only voice of reason he can talk with is an imaginary muse - come to life at the end - who he heartbreakingly realizes she is merely using him as well. After much self-exploration he realizes he cannot live up to anybody's expectations and once he knows this he becomes at peace. Fellini uses the circus as a metaphor for the joy he feels at the end But in the end we are left with the feeling this may be short lived.
"8 1/2" does seem indeed a lot to take but it's fluid Camera work, hypnotic editing and Nino Rota's jubulent score will grasp you and in the end, because of Maestro Fellini it becomes an experience that will stay with you forever.Fellini's Carnival - Bunuel
It would be presumptuous of me to give more than my own reaction to this film, about which so much has already been said. Suffice it to say that, if you are seriously interested in Film, you shouldn't wait as long as I did to see it. Surely one of the most influential movies ever made, it really is the fons et origo of the autobiographical film: its mix of subconscious and conscious, memory and present, is the model for almost all self-examinations of this kind. At the same time, it's the ultimate post-modern film - a film inside a film, about a filmmaker making a film ... this film.
The movie's strength is I think it's weakness. This movie is all about Fellini (or someone awfully like him), and if Fellini's particular obsessions don't touch you, there's nothing else. I find myself in that category. On the other hand, the movie is so fascinating visually, there is always so much on the screen and so much happening with the camera, and the movie is so beautifully shot, that one is never ever bored.
The commentary is excellent, and if you're a serious viewer, you should watch the film again with it on. The bonus disk, on the other hand, is useless unless you speak Italian (and German).
Member Reviews
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One of the greatest (and first) Meta-movies - Cristiano
This is definitely one of the precursors of the meta movies we see today. I could not stop comparing it to Adaptation (at least in the sense of a writer having trouble writing a movie).
Besides this, it has a great message about life and it is shown ...A Film Lovers Dream - JasonTHX
Much has been written about "8 1/2" - Fellini's Semi autobiographical chronicle about a filmaker who is creatively and emotionally bankrupt. Actually at the Time Fellini was bursting with creativity - Between "La Dolce Vita" and "8 1/2 (Otto E Mezzo)" Fellini ...Fellini's Carnival - Bunuel
It would be presumptuous of me to give more than my own reaction to this film, about which so much has already been said. Suffice it to say that, if you are seriously interested in Film, you shouldn't wait as long as I did to see it. Surely one of the most ...