La Dolce Vita or 8 1/2?

[Ray Jackson]

Which one do you like to watch more and which one do you think is the superior film?

Personally, I think 8 1/2 is Fellini's true masterpiece and the better of the two films in just about every way.

...but I have more fun watching La Dolce Vita.

I'm watching it tonight and I forgot just how smoking hot Anita Ekberg was in this movie.

She makes me feel things.

...dirty things.

[Ray Jackson]

And she's still got it.

...after all these years.

[mikesncc1701]

Actually I'd watch La Strada over either. Been many, many years since I've seen any of them but La Strada has always stuck out as my favorite Fellini that I've seen.

[Richard--W]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

And she's still got it.

...after all these years.

Oh my God.

I wish you hadn't posted this photo, I really do.

I'll never be able to watch La Dolce Vita again. You've ruined it forever.

[grape_jelly]

^

8 1/2 is clearly superior in my book. I feel a much stronger connection to the plot, and I find the imagery to be more majestic/staggering in general.

[AaronJ]

La Dolce Vita and 8 1/2 are both, IMO, some of the best films ever made. And while I certainly wouldn't argue with anyone who chooses 8 1/2, I find La Dolce Vita so absolutely perfect every time I watch it.

I think it's particularly (or maybe peculiarly) relevant today, with its themes of a decaying society, the vulgar and vapid nature of so many of society's "elite," and how their lives -- so beautiful on the outside while empty on the inside -- are built on the backs of those they oppress.

Marcello's journey is partly a search for something more, and partly an admission that there isn't anything more.

And Fellini's able to touch on and investigate all these themes while still creating a very entertaining and often funny film. It could have been very heavy handed given the subject matter, yet it's anything but. It's simply brilliant on every level.

[Scottie]

Both are two of the greatest films to ever be made, in my opinion, but I would say that La Dolce Vita has the slight advantage. It is incredible from start to finish each and every time I see it.

[Rayjaymay]

8 1/2 has always been high on the list of movies I want to see, but I have read that it refers back to the films Fellini made before it. Do I need to see all of those films to truly appreciate 8 1/2?

[Doctor Jack]

I personally don't care for either. Fellini has always been a bore to me. Never understood the hype.

[Mansinthe]

I liked City of Women over 8 1/2 (just a bit)

[Vinyl]

I have tried watching La Dolce Vita twice, and gotten about 30-45 minutes in before just throwing in the towel.

I own both 8 1/2 and Amarcord by him, though.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by Rayjaymay

8 1/2 has always been high on the list of movies I want to see, but I have read that it refers back to the films Fellini made before it. Do I need to see all of those films to truly appreciate 8 1/2?

There are some themes present in 8 1/2 that are present in all of his films. It is more of a reflection on the creative process, though, than anything else.

[Richard--W]

Originally Posted by Doctor Jack

I personally don't care for either. Fellini has always been a bore to me. Never understood the hype.

Why not read a little about Italy and about Fellini. Not much. Just a little background. His films will open up to you then.

Originally Posted by AaronJ

La Dolce Vita and 8 1/2 are both, IMO, some of the best films ever made. And while I certainly wouldn't argue with anyone who chooses 8 1/2, I find La Dolce Vita so absolutely perfect every time I watch it.

I think it's particularly (or maybe peculiarly) relevant today, with its themes of a decaying society, the vulgar and vapid nature of so many of society's "elite," and how their lives -- so beautiful on the outside while empty on the inside -- are built on the backs of those they oppress.

Marcello's journey is partly a search for something more, and partly an admission that there isn't anything more.

And Fellini's able to touch on and investigate all these themes while still creating a very entertaining and often funny film. It could have been very heavy handed given the subject matter, yet it's anything but. It's simply brilliant on every level.

I would have a hard time choosing between The Nights of Cabira (1957), La Dolce Vita (1960) and Juliet of the Spirits (1965). Each film rewards repeated viewings. I'm not saying 8 1/2 (1963) is any less brilliant, I just don't like it much. Individual moments pack a wallop, but I can't sustain disbelief or become engaged in films that are about filmmaking. The very subject matter breaks the fourth wall for me.

[BobbyMcGee]

Originally Posted by Doctor Jack

I personally don't care for either. Fellini has always been a bore to me. Never understood the hype.

When you say you "never understood the hype", do you mean in reference to your own personal taste or the historical context of his work to cinema as a whole?

If it is the latter, I would recommend reading "Making Waves: New Cinema of the 1960's" by Geoffrey Nowell-Smith. It is a decent introduction to the cinema of the time period, including his work.

And while I love both films my vote would go for 8 1/2, simply because it was more groundbreaking in a post-modern kind of way.

[Ray Jackson]

Originally Posted by Richard--W

Oh my God.

I wish you hadn't posted this photo, I really do.

I'll never be able to watch La Dolce Vita again. You've ruined it forever.

Dude what are you talking about?

She's a milf.

...or a gilf.

[Ray Jackson]

Originally Posted by Rayjaymay

8 1/2 has always been high on the list of movies I want to see, but I have read that it refers back to the films Fellini made before it. Do I need to see all of those films to truly appreciate 8 1/2?

You don't need to know anything about Fellini's work to appreciate 8 1/2

It's a fascinating allegory of a great director who can't accept the fact that he's unable to direct his own life and the women in it with the same level of control as the films he makes.

Deep down inside every man wants to live in a room full of every conceivable type of woman he's every been attracted to.

...and none of ever get it.

[Doctor Jack]

Originally Posted by BobbyMcGee

When you say you "never understood the hype", do you mean in reference to your own personal taste or the historical context of his work to cinema as a whole?

If it is the latter, I would recommend reading "Making Waves: New Cinema of the 1960's" by Geoffrey Nowell-Smith. It is a decent introduction to the cinema of the time period, including his work.

And while I love both films my vote would go for 8 1/2, simply because it was more groundbreaking in a post-modern kind of way.

I've actually read that book. I meant that I never really understood why he is held im such high regard. Can barely make it through his films without wanting to throw something at the screen. I understand his place in film history but that doesn't mean anything to me in terms of liking or enjoying his films. I like New Wave films but Felini has always been such a bore for me.