sal Posted January 29, 2004 Report Posted January 29, 2004 I saw this film for the first time last night. I bought the Criterion Collection DVD after hearing so much about this movie and Fellini, and I must say, this is one of the best movies I've ever seen. I still can't quite put my thoughts together to write anything analytical about it, as I'm still kind of in shock from what I saw. But I can say this.....I've been a self-professed film junkie for about 10 years now and I feel like Fellini is one of the last of the great filmmakers that I hadn't discovered yet....and after watching "8 1/2", I really feel like the best was saved for last. Incredible. What do you all think about "8 1/2" and/or Fellini in general? Also, where to go next with Fellini? I hear "La Strada" and "Nights of Cabria" are really good. Quote
Late Posted January 29, 2004 Report Posted January 29, 2004 Sal, I love this film, too. I've never seen the Criterion edition (though want to), but have rented the VHS edition from my local video store about 25 times. (I guess I should have just bought a copy.) I don't know what the Criterion edition offers as far as an English translation, but, for a long time, the dubbed version strangely had a more comprehensive (English) translation than the subtitled version. I own a copy of the screenplay, and noted some relatively large omissions of monologue (usually the film critic's) in the original subtitled version. As an undergraduate, I had an English professor who had the class watch this film. (A number of students actually got up and left in the middle of the film!) Afterward, we were assigned a paper with the essay question of: What does it mean to be? I had a ball writing that paper. Look for La Dolce Vita. I'm no Fellini expert, however, so other films might be "next" in the classic list. Oh yes, Nino Rota's soundtrack to this film is wonderful. It's out on disc, and copies can usually be found for relatively cheap. Highly recommended, and great fun. My wife and I like to play it for cocktail parties (well, when we have them, which really isn't often), and we always get some raised eyebrows. Expressions like: — What the f-? Quote
sal Posted January 29, 2004 Author Report Posted January 29, 2004 The Criterion Collection DVD of this movie is beautiful, Late. You should buy it. Of course, I have nothing to compare it to....but the black & white cinematography looks very vivid, the sound is clean, and I barely noticed any scratches or dust while watching it. The DVD has gotten praise for its transfer all over the internet, so I'm guessing you'll really appreciate it. Quote
Late Posted January 30, 2004 Report Posted January 30, 2004 You're right. I've been concentrating so heavily on picking up various Lacy, Braxton, and Taylor recordings recently that I haven't even considered buying DVD's of films. Quote
Alexander Posted January 30, 2004 Report Posted January 30, 2004 For the longest time, I couldn't get through "8 1/2." I'd rent it, get through the first tape, and then fizzle out before it was over. It wasn't until I saw it on the big screen that it finally hit me. It loses a lot on a small screen, IMHO. "La Dolce Vita" is still my favorite Fellini film. It's that fountain scene! Ouch! Quote
Alexander Posted January 30, 2004 Report Posted January 30, 2004 The above is probably the coolest film poster I've ever seen! Gotta get me that! Quote
brownie Posted January 31, 2004 Report Posted January 31, 2004 I have not seen 8 1/2 in quite a long time. This was my favorite Fellini film for years, a complex and intriguing film with scores of extraordinary moments. This is the kind of films I'm rather shy of seeing again. Maybe I am afraid of being disappointed at a new vision. And I'm with Alexander on seeing it on the big screen. The last time I saw 8 1/2 was at the Paris Cinematheque with is BIG screen. Magnificient it was. Do most of my viewings nowadays on the TV screen which may be why I am apprehensive of a showing of the film on that screen. Other Fellini films I cherish include 'I Vitelloni', 'Nights of Cabiria' (Giuletta Massina is superb in that one), 'La Dolce Vita', 'Roma' and 'Amarcord'. Quote
king ubu Posted January 31, 2004 Report Posted January 31, 2004 "8 1/2" is one of my favorite 5 or 10 films, definitely! A work of genius! We had a Fellini retrospective here in Zurich (I would NEVER watch a Fellini on tv), and I went to see as many films as I could. "I vitelloni" is great. "La dolce vita" - I failed to see it again, and it's been several years since I saw it last - has never struck me as "8 1/2" did. I do not like Giulietta Masina at all, so I got some sort of a problem with "La strada" and "Giulietta degli spiriti". They're not bad, though, for sure. "E la nave va" is another intriguing film, although I think one ought to be an Opera-connaisseur to really understand it. I saw "Fellini: Satyricon" again, and think this is one of the best films he made. Then I was rather disappointed by "Fellini: Casanova". Another good one (I have not seen it lately) is "Fellini: Roma". A great hommage to a great city. On "8 1/2": what I do love about this film - I cannot actually put it all in words, but just one aspect: the film has such an ease, such a light flow. The film is so funny, and yet so melancholic, not to say sad. I think this is what I love so much about it: that it's such a funny film which is nevertheless able to express such deep feelings. Hard to put this in words. sal, I wish you lots of fun in your continuing Fellini adventures! ubu Quote
Alexander Posted January 31, 2004 Report Posted January 31, 2004 What I love about Fellini is that he evokes so many primal emotions that it's difficult to talk about it except to another Fellini-phile. Bergman, Cocteau, Renais, Renoir, Truffaut, Visconti...all great filmmakers, but all pretty easy to talk about. Only Fellini, for me, really hits one on a gut level... Quote
king ubu Posted January 31, 2004 Report Posted January 31, 2004 What I love about Fellini is that he evokes so many primal emotions that it's difficult to talk about it except to another Fellini-phile. Bergman, Cocteau, Renais, Renoir, Truffaut, Visconti...all great filmmakers, but all pretty easy to talk about. Only Fellini, for me, really hits one on a gut level... True words, Alexander! I went through the useless attempt lately again... ubu Quote
brownie Posted February 2, 2004 Report Posted February 2, 2004 8 1/2 was on cable TV last night. The idea was to watch a few minutes of this film which I had not seen in a very long time and then get on with something else. As I already said in an earlier post, I wanted to see this on a big movie screen. It did not work. I started watching this and just got enthralled. What a great film! Of course, the TV screen cannot do justice to the masterful photography of Gianni di Venanzo. Even the dreaded Italian postsynchronisation job (very few Italian films have live sound, they dub everything) works on that film giving it a dreamlike effect. The film is a complete trip in itself with brilliant dialogues and some of the best acting ever (Fellini is a monster at getting the best out of his actors and his love of the actresses - from Sandra Milo, Anouk Aimee, Barbara Steele down to the bit players - shows in every scenes). Did not remember that Anouk Aimee's entrance was to the sound of a corny 'Blue Moon'. Oh yes, the music by Nino Rota! The music literally carries the film. How lucky that Fellini and Rota worked together so often! Will watch for a showing of this film on the big screen now. Quote
king ubu Posted February 2, 2004 Report Posted February 2, 2004 Wonderful post, brownie! Hope you can see it big-screen soon! For me this is one of the few personal favorites I really can't imagine ever getting tired of! I could see 8 1/2 once a month, I think, and still enjoy and love every tiny bit of it! What struck with me was when at the ending sort of you (as the one who watches Fellini's film) actually become part of the film, being the person who watches Mastroianni's emerging live-"film"... the fabulous moment when the camera filming Fellini's story actually becomes the same camera that films the Mastroianni-directed scene that is the end of the film. It's the usual film-inside-of-the-film, of course, but with a couple of turns and twists added. I don't know if I only make this up, but it was almost as clear as a fact for me, when I saw the film the last time (my fifth viewing it big screen, I think, but I am not sure, maybe it was only the fourth time, or even the sixth...) ubu Quote
king ubu Posted February 2, 2004 Report Posted February 2, 2004 And Anouk Aimée is by far the most beautiful woman in the film! ubu Quote
Man with the Golden Arm Posted February 2, 2004 Report Posted February 2, 2004 There ws a Spanish or Mexican film back in the eighties that reminded me of "8-1/2". Does anybody know what this is? It was very bizarre, almost Eraser-headish. It did, however, get me to buy some Perez Prado! Quote
brownie Posted February 3, 2004 Report Posted February 3, 2004 And Anouk Aimée is by far the most beautiful woman in the film! Very interesting what Fellini does with Anouk Aimee! In her part as the director's wife, she is made to wear eyeglasses that gives her a hard, mean look. Then there is that dream sequence when she reappears without makeup and no eyeglasses in her true beauty. I fell in love instantly . But then I already was in love with Barbara Steele. And my love affair with Barbara Steele goes a long long way Quote
Late Posted February 3, 2004 Report Posted February 3, 2004 Fans of this film — don't forget to rent Woody Allen's Stardust Memories, one of the best homages to 8 1/2 around, and damn funny, too. Quote
king ubu Posted February 3, 2004 Report Posted February 3, 2004 brownie, I LLOOOOOVE her WITH those sunglasses! She is sooooooo cooooool! I mean, I virtually did not notice her at all when I saw the film the first two times, but then it struck me... She is the epitome of style, the epitome of cool, the way Fellini presents her in this film. Sandra Milo, on the other hand, who I hated after the initial viewing, grows more and more, as I see the film again - I almost begin to like her I guess the "8 1/2"-version of Aimee would have fit into "La notte" perfectly, or into "L'eclisse", too. (but I know we kind of disagree about Antonioni ) ubu Quote
brownie Posted February 3, 2004 Report Posted February 3, 2004 Ah! women! And those Fellini women! Won't argue about Anouk Aimee! Saw her recently. She still looks great! But Sandra Milo? she is the prefect Fellini woman in 8 1/2. Know she is also in 'Juliet of the Spirits'. Would have to see that one afresh but I can't remember the film as being very high on my Fellini films list. And to get back to a rather negative remark about Giulietta Massina (she must have gone straight to Heaven just for enduring Federico so long), try to see 'The Nights of Cabiria' next time it shows. Usually agree with being unconfortable with her acting but in that one she plays a superb role of a prostitute (a perfect Gellini gift to his wife!). Quote
king ubu Posted February 3, 2004 Report Posted February 3, 2004 Ah! women! And those Fellini women! Won't argue about Anouk Aimee! Saw her recently. She still looks great! But Sandra Milo? she is the prefect Fellini woman in 8 1/2. Know she is also in 'Juliet of the Spirits'. Would have to see that one afresh but I can't remember the film as being very high on my Fellini films list. And to get back to a rather negative remark about Giulietta Massina (she must have gone straight to Heaven just for enduring Federico so long), try to see 'The Nights of Cabiria' next time it shows. Usually agree with being unconfortable with her acting but in that one she plays a superb role of a prostitute (a perfect Gellini gift to his wife!). I will try and see "Notti di cabiria" - missed it (partially because I was tired and knew Masina was in there and thus felt more comfortable staying home...) It's been a long time since I saw Giulietta, and it did not make such a good impression on me, either. Though Masina certainly was the perfect fit for the role she had to play there. ubu Quote
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