Fellini Satyricon

Oh, i was just so wonderfully excited when i was informed that this visual extravaganza,one of Fellini's most famous, and, daring movies, was in fact getting the "Criterion's treatment"! What a perfect choice: this time, Fellini goes wild telling of Rome at its rowdy ancient times, with a formidable, and visionary reconstruction, perfectly served by the 'maestro', who doesn't worry about the budget, obviously, but creates, and, invents segments , that are truly art in motion and become a feast for the eyes composed of exquisitely presented, designed, and photographed beauty! This is a movie that is truly one of a kind, thanks also to the contributions of an excellent, ensemble work from a first class international cast, and crew: they achieve such visuals and momentum, sometime you'd think to be watching a master's painting instead, it's that kind of luxury fascinating all audiences with the most beautiful, and vibrant colors, just stunning to look at ! And, there's hardly a dull moment in "Satyricorn": it is a delightful, and never less than compelling, Art Film you get to watch, and to taste, almost as if it was a very fine wine, as intoxicating as it is highly dreamy. A cast of a thousand faces helps the show to take off, too, while Martin Potter and Hiram Keller, are quite unforgettable, as the two lead characters who never seem afraid to live in the moment some of the most outrageous parties the days had to offer, but you realize soon they are tragically lost, always looking for something that isn't clearly there: they are two adventurous young men open to all what life has to offer, but, ultimately, missing love and communion, faith and hope. After all they are portrayed as icons of the most exuberant, and most decadent days of the fierce Roman Empire and of its greedy and deceitful society who does never stop wanting more and more, ignoring others, and rarely giving or caring, as they are selfishly way too engaged in facing the present, to be able to worry about the future! They live on, spending all the strength and wealth, brought by the power, to exhaustion, and, without remorse, but, actually, almost consuming themselves through an array of increasingly incessant, mysterious, isolating functions, often enforcing cruel mores and laws, while a perpetuating restlessness and its visible lack of justice and sensibility, often it's haunting the narration as an omen hinting to this insane living at the search of the ultimate pleasure, as a darker sensation that is obviously suggesting the advent of much less lavish and carefree days ahead! The harrowing wild crowd however seems way too addicted to the luxury, and to a somewhat sick and insatiable desire for whatever they can get a kick out of living, to be able to expect, or even to care for the end of their foolish run. Fellini is excellent indeed in recreating that world with all of its damnation, greed, and despair that eventually will take the Empire to its ruinous fall. And, i will add that Criterion delivers as usual, and this version of the movie is restored to be indeed a true spectacle, and a joy for the eyes. If you haven't seen this movie before, this is certainly the best way to see it today, and, if you already have seen it, instead, this is the opportunity for a second (or third ..) experience of this unique piece, one of the gems encrusting the work of outstanding genius director, and true master, Federico Fellini, a man who highly, and so successfully, contributed to change the movies and their art, revealing a whole new world of winning creation, amazing and arresting visuals, finding a whole new sense of the media and ways to modern storytelling.

I'm trying to expose myself to the great international directors and this film sounded like a good first Fellini because the plot and idea behind it seemed so intriguing. I am not disappointed. So impressed..,the colors, the costumes, the sets, the mystery, the world he creates for the viewer is so unique...its all so surreal and a complete trip from beginning to end. I'm not at all ashamed to admit that I've watched it 5 times in the week since I've owned it and every time I feel like I see something new or form a new idea or opinion about what I'm experiencing. Fellini has hooked me with this one. I am scrambling to purchase every Fellini Blu-ray I can find.

I first became aware of this movie in the 1980s when a boyfriend tried to cajole me into seeing it. I had no interest back then, but because I’ve become more interested in independent, experimental and foreign film, I decided to watch it. I couldn’t find anywhere to rent or stream it, so I figured I’d take a chance on buying it. I’m glad that I did.“Fellini Satyricon” is definitely a bizarre, surreal experience. The whole thing is rather dreamlike and contains a lot of sexual content. The sets are fantastic, the costumes are strange and the characters are largely tacky. The cinematography is sumptuous with images that are well composed and colors that really pop. It boasts a 4K digital restoration and looks amazing.The biggest criticisms I have with regard to the movie is that it’s an exercise in style over substance, and the story often seems incoherent and non-linear. This is not a big problem for me, but an impatient viewer will never make it through the two hours in takes to conclude. It’s a film that is probably more accessible to cineastes with an open mind than to the general public. An English dub would have been nice to make it more watchable, but that’s a minor quibble. BUT, if you don’t like subtitles, steer clear...In addition to 130 minutes of surreal historical fantasy, there are a few special features as well...perhaps not as generous as I’ve gotten used to with Criterion though. The few special features on this disc aren’t terribly engaging; however, I found the documentary about Fellini’s adaptation of Petronius’ work fascinating.I’m giving this release of “Fellini Satyricon” four stars. While I was impressed by the restoration and was entertained by the film, it is hard to follow and drags a bit at times. The special features, apart from the documentary, are just ok. If you’re into Fellini, bizarre art films or Italian cinema, it’s a worthwhile purchase. If your tastes are more mainstream and modern, you’ll want to steer clear.

A great classic movie by a legend. Tastefully done.

I understand how this film divides Fellini and cinema fans but that is part of the nature of the film, it is a very intentionally alienating and provocative. I fall squarely in the "love it" camp, it's a breathtaking vision that, while set in 1 A.D Rome, seems to be a document of no civilization or society that ever existed, it is purely Fellini's world. The new Criterion Blu-ray release looks and sounds beautiful, it truly provides the treatment the vivid sets, costumes, make up and soundtrack this otherworldly film deserves; highly recommend to any fan of this Fellini classic.

Just seeing Frederico Fellini's version of Petronius Arbiter's Satyricon cries out for more of the rich milieu out of which Fellini made his film. This Criterion Collection edition supplies this to those of us who have been interested in this film for over 50 years.

High quality Blu-Ray edition, in Italian with English subtitles, with a number of documentaries, commentaries, and interviews about Fellini and his adaptation of Petronius' fragmentary novel. The background information is critical for helping one to better understand the novel and what Fellini was trying to achieve with his film. It really helped me to appreciate the film and Fellini's creative genius.

E' un bluray americano non francese come indicato nella descrizione e non è quindi compatibile con i lettori bluray della zona 2 (Europa).

Acheteur, attention!Non seulement le blu ray n'est pas lisible en France mais il faut noter l'absence de sous titres en français. Cela ne remet pas en cause l'excellence du travail de restauration de criterion. Il faudra donc attendre.PS les multiples commentaires correspondent souvent à des DVD et non à cette édition blu ray. Il s'agirait de faire le ménage ...

We ordered from Australia, and got a DVD in a format that doesn't work here.

Fellini is a huge macrophagic genius who fagocytates an entire corpus of history and ancient literature to metabolize the whole swallowed stuff and produce a total astonishing masterpiece.