The life and work of Federico Fellini: every film in order, from I Vitelloni to And the Ship Sails On
Who was Federico Fellini? His life and essential films in order, from La Strada and La Dolce Vita to 8½ and Amarcord, with his four Oscars for Best Foreign Language Film, his style and where to start.
Federico Fellini was an Italian director, born on January 20, 1920, in Rimini, who died on October 31, 1993, in Rome. He made La Strada, La Dolce Vita, 8½ and Amarcord, and his dreamlike, circus-like style gave the language the word "Felliniesque". This guide follows his career film by film, with posters, so you can see where to start.
Federico Fellini at a glance
- Born: January 20, 1920, in Rimini, Italy (died October 31, 1993, in Rome)
- Known for: La Strada, Nights of Cabiria, La Dolce Vita, 8½ and Amarcord
- Signature: memory and dream, circus and carnival imagery, a mix of the tender and the grotesque and the music of Nino Rota
- Honors: four Oscars for Best Foreign Language Film (La Strada, Nights of Cabiria, 8½ and Amarcord), the Palme d'Or for La Dolce Vita and an honorary Oscar in 1993
Early life and career
Fellini began as a cartoonist and humorist in Rome, then wrote screenplays, including for Roberto Rossellini's Rome, Open City. He directed his first solo film, The White Sheik, in 1952. His wife, actress Giulietta Masina, starred in several of his early films, and composer Nino Rota scored almost all of them. From the 1960s his films moved from neorealism to a personal world of memories, dreams and spectacle.
The films, era by era
I Vitelloni (1953)
Five idle young men in a small seaside town dream of leaving but never do. A semi-autobiographical film that first made Fellini known abroad.
La Strada (1954)
A gentle young woman, played by Giulietta Masina, is sold to a brutish circus strongman. It won the first Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film awarded to an Italian film.
Nights of Cabiria (1957)
A kind-hearted Roman prostitute keeps hoping for love, played by Giulietta Masina. It won Fellini his second Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film.
La Dolce Vita (1960)
A journalist, played by Marcello Mastroianni, drifts through Rome's nightlife for seven days. It won the Palme d'Or and gave us the word "paparazzi".
8½ (1963)
A film director in creative crisis fantasizes about the women in his life, with Marcello Mastroianni. A landmark about filmmaking itself, it won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film.
Juliet of the Spirits (1965)
A wife, played by Giulietta Masina, finds her imagination filled with spirits as she suspects her husband of cheating. His first feature in color, full of vivid costumes and fantasies.
Fellini Satyricon (1969)
A wild, surreal vision of ancient Rome, adapted from Petronius. It earned Fellini a Best Director nomination at the Oscars.
Roma (1972)
A mix of memories, documentary and fantasy about the city he came to as a young man. A love letter to Rome in the form of a collage.
Amarcord (1973)
Memories of growing up in a seaside town in the 1930s, including a fascist parade, a big ship and a lusty shopkeeper. It won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film.
And the Ship Sails On (1983)
In 1914, a group of passengers sails on an ocean liner to scatter the ashes of a famous singer. A late, theatrical film about a world on the brink of war.
Federico Fellini movies in order
- I Vitelloni (1953)
- La Strada (1954)
- Nights of Cabiria (1957)
- La Dolce Vita (1960)
- 8½ (1963)
- Juliet of the Spirits (1965)
- Fellini Satyricon (1969)
- Roma (1972)
- Amarcord (1973)
- And the Ship Sails On (1983)
What defines a Federico Fellini film?
- Memory and dream. Childhood, fantasies and reality blend into one flowing film.
- Circus and carnival. Parades, clowns, grotesque faces and big crowd scenes fill the screen.
- Music by Nino Rota. Warm, playful scores that became as famous as the films.
Frequently asked questions about Federico Fellini
Who is Federico Fellini?
Federico Fellini was an Italian director, born on January 20, 1920, in Rimini, who died on October 31, 1993, in Rome. He made La Strada, La Dolce Vita, 8½ and Amarcord, and his dreamlike, circus-like style gave the language the word "Felliniesque". This guide follows his career film by film, with posters, so you can see where to start.
When and where was Federico Fellini born?
Federico Fellini was born on January 20, 1920, in Rimini, Italy, and died on October 31, 1993, in Rome.
What is Federico Fellini's best movie?
Many critics point to 8½ or La Dolce Vita, while La Strada and Amarcord are the favorites of many fans. There is no single answer, so rate them on Rankiew and build your own ranking.
Which Federico Fellini movie should I watch first?
Start with La Strada for his most moving film, La Dolce Vita for the iconic Rome, 8½ for a film about making films and Amarcord for a funny, nostalgic classic.
Did Federico Fellini win the Oscar for Best Director?
No, but he was nominated four times for Best Director. His films La Strada, Nights of Cabiria, 8½ and Amarcord each won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film, and he received an honorary Oscar in 1993.
Rate every Federico Fellini movie
Which one is your favorite? On Rankiew you can rate every film, write reviews and build your own list of Federico Fellini movies.
Sources: official studio releases, filmographies and public records.
