Rating: 
Summary: Cinematographic Depiction of Marriage and Infidelity
Review: I saw this movie on the Sundance Channel and thought of it as fascinating as Guilietta goes through these hallucinating fantasies of what to do when she learns of her husband's affair with a model. The cinematography of the movie leads the viewer as to what is happening when a wife discovers her husband's infidelity. She goes back into her childhood detailing accounts of her grandfather's affair with a dancer and how it affected the family and the community. Guilietta visits an eccentric and flamboyant neighbor and is drawn and fascinated by the way she lives but realizes that this isn't her kind of lifestyle. She does go to the model's apartment to confront the woman but doesn't find her there but does have a telephone conversation with her. Guilietta must decide whether to stay married to a man who neglects her or live a life of her own.
I never knew about Federico Fellini until I heard of his death nine years ago. I recently seen a movie he directed where his wife played a prostitute looking for love. He has a unique style of directing movies to express emotions of is characters and what is happening around them. His movies are a treasured classic among viewers around the world.
Rating:
Summary: One of Fellini's best films
Review: I started watching Fellini films as a young teen, seeing the older ones in the revival theatres, and eagerly anticipating his newest films. Juliet of the Spirits is truly my favorite Fellini film. The camera visuals and color are stunning. The wide screen format is imperative. I only wish that Criterion had also added the (bad) English language soundtrack. It's better for first time viewers. Some of Fellini's imagery is easily missed by reading too many subtitles.
Rating:
Summary: One of Fellini's best films
Review: I started watching Fellini films as a young teen, seeing the older ones in the revival theatres, and eagerly anticipating his newest films. Juliet of the Spirits is truly my favorite Fellini film. The camera visuals and color are stunning. The wide screen format is imperative. I only wish that Criterion had also added the (bad) English language soundtrack. It's better for first time viewers. Some of Fellini's imagery is easily missed by reading too many subtitles.
Rating:
Summary: Status Quoth the Raven Nevermore!
Review: Juliet of the Spirits is perhaps one of the most visually stunning DVD releases I have ever seen. I can only give the highest praise to those at Criterion for this digital transfer. The images are so clear, and the cinematography was so masterfully done that the picture color is what one artist might describe as "crushed jewels".
Kaleidoscopic visuals, lovely Italian women, and stereotyped 1960's pop culture hedonism are prevalent throughout. Considering that this movie was released in 1965, one might argue that this movie inspired the formation of certain facets of free love, flower power American society that would come a few years later, including San Francisco's hippie Haight-Ashbury district. Quite interesting is the living establishment of idealistic youths who dwell together, party, drink, and be merry in a house that is essentially owned and run by a middle-aged dominatrix. A viewer, such as myself, now wonders if this movie, in conjunction with the widespread distrust of U.S. political leaders who were perceived by then-teenagers and twenty-somethings to represent an elderly status quo, somehow fostered the creation of communes that would later be developed all over America in remote areas as portrayed in the 1969 classic Easy Rider.
Throughout the movie, the main character, Juliet, who is an Italian housewife well into her thirties, becomes disillusioned with life when she is strongly suspicious that her husband is carrying on an extramarital affair. In trying to confront her ever-surmounting distrust, Juliet leaves her home to find out if her spouse is cheating on her. Simultaneously, Juliet is also going on a journey of self-discovery through astrology, an androgynous fortune-teller, dabblings with the occult, and acquaintances with multinational, sun-worshipping ladies and gents of the world. The avenues that Juliet enters as the story proceeds from one scene to the next all serve as a conglomerated mix that will help her determine how important her marriage is and whether it is an asset or hindrance to fulfilling her ultimate needs in life.
Juliet of the Spirits, as I have read, was largely panned by critics who were accustomed to Fellini's masterpiece forerunners, including La Dolce Vita and 8 ½. Almost forty years after the fact, a reviewer nowadays may likely have a much deeper appreciation for Fellini's brilliance in this movie. If nothing else, one who has seen this film will have many a strong case to suggest that 1960's Italy was, in a large way, the pop culture engine of the world.
Rating:
Summary: What a Transfer!
Review: Juliet of the Spirits, Fellini's first film in color, is one of his most surreal. Giulietta Masina plays Juliet, a meek bourgeois housewife haunted by various "spirits," each with its own psychological agenda. Ultimately the film is life affirming, presenting a longing but repressed sexuality and its crises with childhood memories and psychic yearnings.This film is very special to me because it was my first encounter with Fellini's cinema. When I found out Criterion has released it, I had to buy it. The transfer is simply unbelievable! The film's restoration makes it look completely new. This is not the Juliet of the Spirits I watched on VHS. There is only one extra feature accompanying this DVD--"Familiar Spirits," a 20-minute talk between Fellini and Ian Dallas, the Brit who played the magician/psychic in 8 1/2. A great film in a great Criterion presentation.
Rating:
Summary: My favorite Fellini's!
Review: My five stars are not for the DVD transfer wich I haven't seen yet but for the importance of this film. I sent a e-mail to the Criterion a few time ago asking if they were by any chance planning to release this title and I was very happy to receive the positive answer.
Though I agree with most people that 8 1/2 is a good work, it is this Fellini film (his first film in color) that I keep mostly carefully in my memory and in my heart. I love this film. Fellini himself once said that this film was very misunderstood by the european audience and was better received in the EUA, for the motive he gave to the psycological matter of the film. Sequences like Juliet daydreams and saving the child in the little room are impressive.
I recommend this title very much for anyone who likes Fellini's movies.
Rating:
Summary: Masterfully surreal
Review: Not as well known as some of Fellini's other films, but certainly one of his most interesting creations.
As this was his first colour film, he must have decided to make that landmark memorable, and so it is - one of the most striking colour schemes you will ever see.
High praise to Criterion for this fantastic transfer to DVD - it is a triumph (unlike their Amarcord which left much to be desired...).
The film itself is a tapestry of themes and images that flow in and out of each other seamlessly. That is one of the distinguishing features of Fellini's best films - they are so complete. There is a whole world to enjoy here. The surreal quality that infuses every aspect of the film is a joy - it is so refreshing to see a film where you can detect some true creativity at work!
Rating: 
Summary: CAVEAT EMPTOR!!!!!!!!!
Review: One of the maestro's best. BUT, a terrible copy. For some reason on two tapes and the continuity between them is ineptly edited -- in midscene yet. Dumb. Most importantly, subtitles are usually impossible to read, given the generous amount of dazzling white that Fellini used in many of the scenes, for obvious reasons. Avoid this version!
Rating: 
Summary: The Spirits of Fellini!
Review: One of the most colorful and imaginative film worlds to visit are the ones created by Federico Fellini. Fellini was dazzling audiences and bringing enjoyment to them through such films as "Amarcord", "Nights of Cabiria" (My favorite of his films), and "8 1\2". And speaking of "8 1\2" here's a film most people see as the companion piece to. Which is something I can understand.
"Juliet of the Spirits" tells the story of Juliet (Giulietta Masina). A woman in her 30's or 40's, who is beginning to see the world differently, with a little help from her friends, those that are real and those that are not. You see Juliet fears that her husband, Giorgio (Mario Pisu) is cheating on her. And that would crumble Juliet's world, or would it? "Juliet of the Spirits" is a film that to me is quintessential Fellini. All of the filmmaker's famous traits are here. The beauitful women, caricaturish view of society, and shifting back and forth between fantasy and reality. Plus, Nino Rota's fabulous score put a smile on my face. Then again, I can't think of a time when he didn't do a good job. I feel the score is on par with "Amarcord". And what about the cinematography and the art direction! Fellini seems to be spinning his movie magic here. But sadly this was a time in Fellini's career when the critics and the public were starting to divide. "Juliet of the Spirits" was not, and still believe is not considered one of his best films. For example his next film after this would be "Satyricon". Another movie that had people split. What about "Roma", "Fellini's Casanova", and "City of Women"? These are all movies that to some people are proof Fellini lost his touch. But, I don't think that's the case with this movie. It's just too enjoyable. It's too lighthearted. We're put in such a good mood after this, that I just can't understand why someone wouldn't like this movie. And even if we were to cross out the cinematography, the art direction, the music, and Fellini's directing, surely no one can deny that Giulietta Masina's performance carries the film. Even when the film may seem to be getting a bit odd. She holds the film together. And if for no other reason, see the movie for her performance. So, while the lines may be drawn on this one, I think of it as one of Fellini's best film. A real dazzling experience showing us that Fellini was an original. This film was nominated for two Oscars; "Best Costume Design" and "Best Art Direction". And, it won the "Golden Globe" for best foreign film. Bottom-line: Clearly one of the better films Fellini made late in his career. And for me, one of his all-time best. Great music, wonderful cinematography and a performance by Masina that almost steals the show!
Rating:
Summary: The Spirits of Fellini!
Review: One of the most colorful and imaginative film worlds to visit are the ones created by Federico Fellini. Fellini was dazzling audiences and bringing enjoyment to them through such films as "Amarcord", "Nights of Cabiria" (My favorite of his films), and "8 1\2". And speaking of "8 1\2" here's a film most people see as the companion piece to. Which is something I can understand.
"Juliet of the Spirits" tells the story of Juliet (Giulietta Masina). A woman in her 30's or 40's, who is beginning to see the world differently, with a little help from her friends, those that are real and those that are not. You see Juliet fears that her husband, Giorgio (Mario Pisu) is cheating on her. And that would crumble Juliet's world, or would it? "Juliet of the Spirits" is a film that to me is quintessential Fellini. All of the filmmaker's famous traits are here. The beauitful women, caricaturish view of society, and shifting back and forth between fantasy and reality. Plus, Nino Rota's fabulous score put a smile on my face. Then again, I can't think of a time when he didn't do a good job. I feel the score is on par with "Amarcord". And what about the cinematography and the art direction! Fellini seems to be spinning his movie magic here. But sadly this was a time in Fellini's career when the critics and the public were starting to divide. "Juliet of the Spirits" was not, and still believe is not considered one of his best films. For example his next film after this would be "Satyricon". Another movie that had people split. What about "Roma", "Fellini's Casanova", and "City of Women"? These are all movies that to some people are proof Fellini lost his touch. But, I don't think that's the case with this movie. It's just too enjoyable. It's too lighthearted. We're put in such a good mood after this, that I just can't understand why someone wouldn't like this movie. And even if we were to cross out the cinematography, the art direction, the music, and Fellini's directing, surely no one can deny that Giulietta Masina's performance carries the film. Even when the film may seem to be getting a bit odd. She holds the film together. And if for no other reason, see the movie for her performance. So, while the lines may be drawn on this one, I think of it as one of Fellini's best film. A real dazzling experience showing us that Fellini was an original. This film was nominated for two Oscars; "Best Costume Design" and "Best Art Direction". And, it won the "Golden Globe" for best foreign film. Bottom-line: Clearly one of the better films Fellini made late in his career. And for me, one of his all-time best. Great music, wonderful cinematography and a performance by Masina that almost steals the show!
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