8½
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
8½ is a 1963 drama film directed by Federico Fellini, starring Marcello Mastroianni, Claudia Cardinale, Anouk Aimée. It drew a wide audience and shaped its genre.
Plot
Guido Anselmi, a famous Italian film director, is suffering from "director's block". Stalled on his new science fiction film that includes thinly veiled autobiographical references, he has lost interest amidst artistic and marital difficulties. While attempting to recover from his anxieties at a luxurious spa, Guido hires a well-known critic to review his ideas for his film, but the critic blasts them. The film portrays Guido ambiguously floating in and out of surrealistic dreams and flashbacks to his childhood. Guido has recurring visions of an Ideal Woman, whom he sees as key to his story.
Production
Written by Ennio Flaiano and Tullio Pinelli, the film was produced by Cineriz. Nino Rota composed the score. Gianni Di Venanzo handled the cinematography. The film runs 139 minutes. The crew and editing refined every shot.
Reception
At its premiere the film drew strong box returns and earned an award nomination. A critic consensus praised the score and screenplay.
Legacy
Its legacy endures through a remake, a sequel and a lasting franchise; later cinema cites its influence and symbolism.
See also
References
- "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time". topfilms100. Retrieved 30 June 2026.
- Ebert, Roger. The Great Movies. Broadway Books.
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