Top Ranked Films of Federico Fellini

These are all the films of Fellini’s that made the top 1000, in our 2011 update of the Top Ranked 1000 Films on the Net, all polls - he had nine total, including two in the top 100. [Photos courtesy of Fanpix.net]

Fellini and wife, actress Julietta Masina

1. 8 ½ (1963) Italy, bw #40
2. La Dolce Vita (1960) Italy, bw #74
3. La Strada (1954) #114
4. Nights of Cabiria (1957) Italy #172
5. Amarcord (1973) #254
6. I Vitelloni (1953) #348
7. Juliet of the Spirits (1965) #478
8. Fellini Satyricon (1969) #682
9. Fellini's Casanova (1976) #842

Many prefer the metaphor-laden surrealism of 8 ½, but I think I lean toward the realism of the decadent artists portrayed in La Dolce Vita. Both are classics. Wife Julietta Masina’s performance makes Nights of Cabiria a must-see for fans of Italian cinema, it’s a rare gem.

A more accessible film for the public may be the affable comedy Amarcord (1973), a beautifully shot color film about growing up in Italy. It's said that he wrote down his nightmares and dreams in a journal, hence the surrealist aspect of most of his films, as he's obviously attempting to partially film his own subconscious.

As a rule, I avoid all films with the filmmaker’s name in the title, lol..


See the full list of top ranked 100 directors here: Top Ranked 100 Directors, 2011 Edition