‘8 1/2’ Criterion Collection 4K UHD Blu-Ray Review – A Splendid Release For A Fellini Classic

Marcello Mastroianni plays Guido Anselmi, a director whose new project is collapsing around him, along with his life. One of the greatest films about film ever made, Federico Fellini’s 8½ (Otto e mezzo) turns one man’s artistic crisis into a grand epic of the cinema. An early working title for 8½ was The Beautiful Confusion, and Fellini’s masterpiece is exactly that: a shimmering dream, a circus, and a magic act. Also featured is Fellini’s rarely seen first film for television, Fellini: A Director’s Notebook (1969). Produced by Peter Goldfarb, this “imagined documentary” of Fellini on Fellini is a kaleidoscope of unfinished projects, all of which provide a fascinating and candid window into the director’s unique creative process.

For thoughts on 8½, please check out my thoughts on No Streaming Required: 

Video Quality

The Criterion Collection presents 8½ on 4K UHD Blu-Ray courtesy of an impressive 4K digital restoration from the 35mm Original Camera Negative in 2160p that is quite excellent even without HDR implementation. This release marks the first time this restoration has been made available outside of the Essential Fellini set released by the label in 2020, which was only presented on Blu-Ray. The film was previously released as a standalone Blu-Ray in 2010 by the label from an older master. The included Blu-Ray appears to be the 2010 disc instead of the remastered disc based on appearance and lack of restoration text found on the 4K UHD disc at the beginning, but we are not 100% positive. What is certain is that the 4K UHD Blu-Ray disc blows the old 2010 Blu-Ray disc out of the water. 

The transfer eradicates any dust specks or print damage that occurred on the previous release. This transfer retains the filmic quality of the picture with fine film grain giving way to more detail than you would have thought possible. The black and white cinematography is unbelievable with smooth gradients and subtle textures. The contrast remains perfectly stable and provides grand improvements in sharpness. Black levels are deep without any unwanted nuisances such as digital noise or compression artifacts, and highlights never experience blooming. The frame showcases some excellent depth to the image which gives way to a pleasing sense of scale within the settings. The restoration reveals plenty of textural details in the clothing and production design. This transfer is a marvel for a film that deserves such treatment. This is a 5-star effort for cinephiles, and we appreciate that the Criterion Collection has taken such care with it.

Audio Quality

The 4K UHD Blu-Ray disc comes with a terrific LPCM 1.0 mono track in the original Italian with optional English subtitles. Fellini makes sonically precise films, and this track does everything it needs to ensure that dialogue comes through clearly. There do not seem to be any majorly noticeable instances of age-related wear and tear such as hissing or popping. Environmental sounds are rendered well alongside everything else for a harmonious experience. The score from Nino Rota washes over the audience and sounds great while doing so. Criterion has given this film the perfectly preserved, faithful audio presentation it deserves.

Special Features

The Criterion 4K UHD Blu-Ray of 8½ includes a foldout pamphlet featuring the essay “The Beautiful Confusion” by film scholar Stephanie Zacharek which explores the themes, the work of Federico Fellini, the legacy of the film, and more that is very illuminating. The on-disc special features are as follows: 

• Audio Commentary: A track that combines an audio essay, read by actress Tanya Zaicon, and interviews with Fellini friend and documentarian Gideon Bachmann and NYU film professor Antonio Monda. This provides both analysis and personal insights into the production. 

• Terry Gilliam Introduction: An eight-minute introduction from the filmmaker who discusses some of the reasons why the film is so brilliant. 

• Fellini – A Director’s Notebook: A nearly 52-minute documentary from 1969 in which the filmmaker reflects on his career, which includes films he did not complete and plans for those he wanted to tackle in the future. 

• The Last Sequence: A nearly 51-minute documentary that focuses on the abandoned finale for 8½ that now only exists in photographs. 

• Nino Rota – Between Cinema and Concert: A nearly 48-minute  archival documentary on the famed composer of some of Fellini’s greatest works. 

• Sandra Milo: A 27-minute archival interview with the actress who discusses first meeting Federico Fellini, getting the part in 8½, memorable moments from the production, her relationship to the film over the years, and more. 

• Lina Wertmüller: A nearly 18-minute archival interview with the filmmaker in which she discusses her collaborations with Fellini on 8½, how he helped guide her to directing her first film, the role of women in his films, and more. 

• Vittorio Storaro: A nearly 18-minute archival interview with the director in which he discusses the work of cinematographer Gianni Di Venanzo in 8½, how the film pushed boundaries, and more. 

• Trailer (3:09)

• Photographs by Gideon Bachmann

• Stills Gallery

Final Thoughts

8½ is one of the great films by Federico Fellini that gives you an insight into the existential crisis of an artist like few other films can capture with the creative spirit bursting at the seams here. The auteur wields a control over the material that has to be seen to be truly admired, as every image and cut feels essential to the equation. Every performer is putting in memorable work, and the care put into the crafts will take you out. The Criterion Collection has delivered a new 4K UHD Blu-Ray that offers a striking A/V presentation and some marvelous special features. This is a must-own for cinephiles. Highly Recommended

The Criterion Collection edition of 8½ is currently available to purchase on 4K UHD Blu-Ray.

Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the 4K UHD Blu-Ray.

Disclaimer: The Criterion Collection has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.