FAQ for
8½ (1963) More at IMDbPro »

The following FAQ entries may contain spoilers. Only the biggest ones (if any) will be covered with spoiler tags. Spoiler tags have been used sparingly in order to make the page more readable.

For detailed information about the amounts and types of (a) sex and nudity, (b) violence and gore, (c) profanity, (d) alcohol, drugs, and smoking, and (e) frightening and intense scenes in this movie, consult the IMDb Parents Guide for this movie. The Parents Guide for 8 1/2 can be found here.

8½ is based on an original screenplay by Italian director Federico Fellini [1920-1993]. Although not meant to be autobiographical, it tells the story of a man suffering from "writer's block," something from which Fellini also suffered at the time.

8½ stands for the number of movies that Frederico Fellini had directed to this point. He had previously directed six full-length feature films: (1) Lo sceicco bianco (1952), (2) I vitelloni (1953), (3) La strada (1954), (4) Il bidone (1955, ) (5) Le notti di Cabiria (1957), and (6) La dolce vita (1960). He had collaborated with Alberto Lattuada to film Luci del varietà (1950) and directed two short segments: (1) "Un Agenzia Matrimoniale" from L'amore in città (1953) and (2) "Le Tentazioni del Dottor Antonio" from Boccaccio '70 (1962). These six full-length films, the three latter projects that he counted for ½ points each, plus this film added to 8½. The working title for 8½ was La Bella Confusione.

Several different types of sunglasses have been suggested, from Dior to Persols, from Chanel to Raybans. They are Pradas. One enterprising viewer actually contacted Prada and was told that the glasses worn by Guido [Marcello Mastroianni] in 8½ are Prada model SPR07F. However, there have been some design changes since the 60s. New Prada SPR07F cost @$200. A vintage pair like the ones worn by Guido was estimated by the people at Prada to cost @$2000-$2500. See here for more information.