8½ (1963)
Federico Fellini's visionary masterpiece follows a filmmaker adrift in fantasy, memory, and creative despair at the height of his fame.
8½ - Movie Information
- Original Title: 8½
- Release Year: 1963
- Directed by: Federico Fellini
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama
- Age Rating (US): NR
- Runtime: 2h 19m
- Original Language: Italian
- Spoken Languages: German, English, French, Italian
- Release Date (Theatrical): February 14, 1963 (United Kingdom - 15), June 24, 1963 (United States - NR), May 22, 1963 (Germany - 12), May 29, 1963 (France - TP), April 13, 1995 (Australia - M), February 14, 1963 (Italy - T), May 15, 1967 (Spain - 12), July 23, 2025 (South Korea - 15)
- Alternative Titles: Oito e Meio (BR), Federico Fellini's 8½ (US), Nyolc és fél (HU), Fellinis Achteinhalb (DE), Osem a pol (SK), Otto e mezzo (IT), Восемь с половиной (SU), Вiсiм з половиною (UA)
- Production Companies: Cineriz, Francinex
- Production Countries: Italy, France
8½ - Plot
Guido Anselmi, a film director, finds himself creatively barren at the peak of his career. Urged by his doctors to rest, Anselmi heads for a luxurious resort, but a sorry group gathers—his producer, staff, actors, wife, mistress, and relatives—each one begging him to get on with the show. In retreat from their dependency, he fantasizes about past women and dreams of his childhood.
8½ - Trailer
Watch the official trailer for Fellini's landmark 1963 film:
A picture that goes beyond what men think about - because no man ever thought about it in quite this way!
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8½ - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Federico Fellini
Main Cast
- Marcello Mastroianni
- Claudia Cardinale
- Anouk Aimée
- Sandra Milo
- Rossella Falk
- Barbara Steele
- Madeleine Lebeau
- Caterina Boratto
- Eddra Gale
- Guido Alberti
Writers
- Federico Fellini
- Brunello Rondi
- Tullio Pinelli
- Ennio Flaiano
Producers
- Angelo Rizzoli
8½ - FAQs
What is 8½ about?
8½ follows Guido Anselmi, a celebrated Italian film director suffering from creative paralysis. While recuperating at a resort, he is besieged by his producer, cast, wife, and mistress, all demanding he deliver his next film. He escapes into vivid daydreams, childhood memories, and erotic fantasies rather than face reality.
What does the title 8½ mean?
Fellini counted his previous directorial credits before making this film: six features, two short films, and one co-directed project — totaling 8½ films. The title is therefore a literal tally of his filmography, making the movie a deeply personal, self-referential work about a director who mirrors Fellini himself.
Is 8½ based on a true story?
8½ is not based on a specific true story, but it is profoundly autobiographical. Fellini drew extensively from his own anxieties, memories, relationships, and creative struggles. The protagonist Guido Anselmi is widely regarded as a fictional self-portrait, making the film a confessional meditation on artistic identity and personal life.
Where can you stream or watch 8½?
8½ is available to stream on Max (HBO Max), the Criterion Channel, Shout! Factory TV, Tubi TV, Kanopy, and Plex at no extra cost. It can also be rented or purchased on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. Streaming availability may vary by region.
Who are the main actors in 8½?
Marcello Mastroianni leads the cast as director Guido Anselmi. He is joined by Claudia Cardinale, Anouk Aimée as Guido's wife Luisa, Sandra Milo as his mistress Carla, Rossella Falk, Barbara Steele, Madeleine Lebeau, Caterina Boratto, Eddra Gale, and Guido Alberti as the producer.
Did 8½ win any major awards?
Yes. 8½ won two Academy Awards — Best Foreign Language Film and Best Costume Design (Black-and-White) — at the 1964 ceremony. It also won the Grand Prize at the Moscow International Film Festival and a BAFTA Award for Best Film, cementing its status as one of cinema's most decorated masterworks.
How long is 8½ and what is its age rating?
8½ has a runtime of 2 hours and 19 minutes (139 minutes). In the United States, the film is rated NR (Not Rated). It carries various ratings in other territories, including a 15 certificate in the United Kingdom and a 12 classification in Germany and Spain.
How was 8½ received by critics?
8½ is considered one of the greatest films ever made. It holds a near-perfect score on Rotten Tomatoes and consistently ranks among the top films in Sight & Sound's prestigious decennial polls. Critics praise its dazzling visual imagination, psychological depth, and Mastroianni's mesmerizing central performance.
More About 8½
Explore further details about this landmark film through these authoritative sources.