8 1/2 is a great film, considering the fact that I share the same interest as you regarding the pre-70s movies. It is pretty long and is entirely full of fantasies and dreams. But it is about the crisis in professional and personal life of a director. Excellent (BW) cinematography and music (by Nino Rota who composed for Godfather). If you get the DVD set, there is an additional disc which has a documentary about Nino Rota and Fellini. Highly recommended.