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8 1/2

Play trailer Poster for 8 1/2 Released Jun 25, 1963 2h 15m Fantasy Play Trailer Watchlist
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97% Tomatometer 62 Reviews 92% Popcornmeter 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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8 1/2

8 1/2

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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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Critics Reviews

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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 Full Review James Powers The Hollywood Reporter Fellini keeps a grasp on his difficult form, creating some penetrating, witty, tragic moments. Jun 26, 2018 Full Review Ian Mantgani Little White Lies A carnival of the soul. Rated: 5/5 May 1, 2015 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy An ambitious, ambiguous, and experimental form of navel-gazing. Rated: 4/4 Jan 5, 2025 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Chandradeep D Greatest film of all time! Cinema is 8 1/2! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/25/25 Full Review thiago s Filme mais ou menos, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são mais ou menos, só a cena da dança do dois no meio da praça, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e quase ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, e os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes para fazer o filme ser bom. Rated 1 out of 5 stars 04/06/25 Full Review Read all reviews
8 1/2

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Movie Info

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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