Orchestra Rehearsal

R

Released Dec 4, 1978

1h 12m

Documentary

Musical

List

78%

Tomatometer

9 Reviews

83%

Audience Score

1,000+ Ratings

Italian filmmaker Federico Fellini uses music as a metaphor for the current political chaos of Western civilization.

Read More

Read Less

Prime Video

Rent Orchestra Rehearsal on Prime Video, or buy it on Prime Video.

Jay Scott

Globe and Mail

Brevity is Orchestra Rehearsal's greatest and only virtue.

Aug 12, 2022

Full Review

Keith Phipps

AV Club

A relatively minor film by Fellini standards, it's still smart, compelling viewing, and its conclusion -- an ambiguous tribute to the unifying power of the arts -- is as provocative as most of the director's films.

May 30, 2001

Full Review

Dave Kehr

Chicago Reader

Fellini's films often seem lazy, but this one looks plain tired.

Jan 1, 2000

Full Review

Jesús Fernández Santos

El Pais (Spain)

... Fellini offers art as a final resource, a true path for the salvation of man. [Full review in Spanish]

Feb 8, 2018

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 4/5

Sep 12, 2005

Full Review

Jake Euker

F5 (Wichita, KS)

Rated: 3/5

Jul 8, 2004

Full Review

Read all reviews

andres s

One word that would describe Fellini's style of film making would be, magical. Almost dream-like. He's never afraid to bend the rules of film making to his desire. He really knows how to pick interesting people to play equally interesting characters. I love how passionate all these musicians are about their instruments and how their instrument kind of defines who they are as a person. It's also funny to see how some think that their own instrument is more important than everyone else's. This movie is a satire. But it's also political social commentary. Like the way they start protesting towards the end. Interesting how the comically oversized metronome looks like an obelisk or maybe even supposed to represent some sort of religious figure or symbol. The way those two violin players start smacking one another lmao. Wow that female pianist though. What a knockout. Beautiful eyes. Jesus Christ, everyone turned into fucking animals by the end! Lol. It's destruction and dark times that unites us as humans. It reminds us of what we had, of better times. When everyone lets go of ego, beautiful things can happen. The conductor is supposed to represent some sort of elite figure that controls its people, kind of like the leader of a country or even someone like Hitler. The musicians represent the civilians of different social classes and the union and the big guy in the grey suit represent the people who are actually pulling the strings from behind the scenes. Kind of like the mafia or banks. I love how chaotic his movies can be sometimes. It reminds me so much of Robert Altman with the way that characters will talk over one another or how it'll jump from one person's dialogue to another without any pauses. Fellini is hilarious though, he understands comedy. This movie was entertaining for sure. Another great addition to Fellini's filmography. I'd watch this movie again, I want to see if I can pick up on any other things. It was funny, thought provoking and entertaining. Everything you need to make a good movie.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Typically absurd Fellini film is great fun.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/27/23

Full Review

Audience Member

It is deliciously odd that Fellini would have a documentary crew in this unpretentious story handling an omnipresent camera that seems to be everywhere even in impossible (and invisible) moments, which gives the film a surreal vibe that goes well together with what he wants to tell.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/14/23

Full Review

Audience Member

The discord between the members of an orchestra rehearsal filmed by a documentary crew becomes the symbol for the fragmentation of the world at large in Fellini's film. As a work of the director, it is a disappointing representation of unoriginal theories. As a vehicle for Nino Rota's music it works quite well.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/24/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Well-executed funny musical revolution.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/18/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Effin odd. Rehearsal devolves into insanity. All the while we have Italians lip synching to an overdubbed Italian soundtrack. So weird. Why?

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/25/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Post a rating

Federico Fellini

Director

Balduin Baas

Conductor

Clara Colosimo

Harp player

Elizabeth Labi

Piano player

Ronaldo Bonacchi

Bassoon player

Ferdinando Villella

Cello player

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

90%

87%

Wild Style

74%

81%

The Rose

76%

76%

The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years

80%

69%

Fame

TRAILER

for Fame

55%

74%

Zoot Suit

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Synopsis

Italian filmmaker Federico Fellini uses music as a metaphor for the current political chaos of Western civilization.

Director: Federico Fellini
Screenwriter: Federico Fellini, Brunello Rondi
Production Co: RAI, Daimo Cinematografica
Rating: R
Genre: Documentary, Musical
Original Language: Italian
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 4, 1978, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 13, 2018
Runtime: 1h 12m

Most Popular at Home Now