8 1/2

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8 1/2

Released Jun 25, 1963

2h 15m

Fantasy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

97%

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62 Reviews

91%

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25,000+ Ratings

Troubled Italian filmmaker Guido Anselmi (Marcello Mastroianni) struggles with creative stasis as he attempts to get a new movie off the ground. Overwhelmed by his work and personal life, the director retreats into his thoughts, which often focus on his loves, both past and present, and frequently wander into fantastical territory. As he tries to sort out his many entanglements, romantic and otherwise, Anselmi finds his production becoming more and more autobiographical.

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Critics Consensus

Inventive, thought-provoking, and funny, 8 1/2 represents the arguable peak of Federico Fellini's many towering feats of cinema.

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Eric Rhode

Sight & Sound

Though he can't face up to the total case, we must be grateful to Fellini for having presented so much of it, and with such flair and exuberance.

Feb 11, 2020

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James Powers

The Hollywood Reporter

Fellini keeps a grasp on his difficult form, creating some penetrating, witty, tragic moments.

Jun 26, 2018

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Ian Mantgani

Little White Lies

A carnival of the soul.

Rated: 5/5

May 1, 2015

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Patrick McDonald

HollywoodChicago.com

What can I say that hasn't been said for the 62 year life span of this masterpiece, except that it flavors my cinema soul. On this third viewing, with a long time in between the last one, it also reflected on the point of life I"m at now. I AM FELLINI!

Rated: 5/5

Jul 4, 2025

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Scott Nye

Battleship Pretension

The conflict between Guido’s discomfort for the nature of his fame and the driving force that led him there drives every interaction in the film.

Jan 27, 2025

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

An ambitious, ambiguous, and experimental form of navel-gazing.

Rated: 4/4

Jan 5, 2025

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Benyam E

Good movie. Not that entertaining, but profound and well-constructed. Masterclass in blocking for young directors. Edit: it grows on you. very well-stated internal dilemmas of a director.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/28/25

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Marco Q

A classic, nothing to add.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/12/25

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Jacob B

Not only Fellini’s best, it one of the best films ever made. The film has been frequently borrowed from (most notably by Fosse with “All That Jazz”, Woody Allen with “Stardust Memories”, Blake Edward’s with “S.O.B.”, etc.) but never equaled. The personal life of the artists becomes the art: the art of making art.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/22/25

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Cem Okan Y

Recommending it mainly because the cinematography. Unfortunately, plots of Fellini are not satisfying my 21st century American-movie shaped expectations.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/15/25

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Stephen C

Successful fantasy movie in 2.25 hours!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $139,200.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/19/25

Full Review

Insomniac X

Playful existential comedy examines the relationship between personal integrity and creative inspiration. Fellini's meta-story of a filmmaker struggling to make a film has become a template unto itself, much like "Groundhog Day" or "Lone Wolf and Cub," and has been echoed by everyone from Bob Fosse to Charlie Kaufman to the Coens. The film succeeds in poking fun at its creator without ever feeling vindictive, and its fluid, mischievous camera movements and dazzling fantasy sequences make viewers feel like they are in on a humane and strangely relatable inside joke.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

05/13/25

Full Review

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Federico Fellini

Director

Marcello Mastroianni

Guido Anselmi

Claudia Cardinale

Claudia

Anouk Aimée

Luisa Anselmi (as Anouk Aimee)

Sandra Milo

Carla

Madeleine Lebeau

French Actress

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Synopsis

Troubled Italian filmmaker Guido Anselmi (Marcello Mastroianni) struggles with creative stasis as he attempts to get a new movie off the ground. Overwhelmed by his work and personal life, the director retreats into his thoughts, which often focus on his loves, both past and present, and frequently wander into fantastical territory. As he tries to sort out his many entanglements, romantic and otherwise, Anselmi finds his production becoming more and more autobiographical.

Director: Federico Fellini
Producer: Angelo Rizzoli
Distributor: Embassy Pictures, Kino Pictures
Production Co: Cineriz, Francinex
Genre: Fantasy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 25, 1963, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): May 27, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $139.2K
Runtime: 2h 15m

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