Rent Umberto D. (1952)
4.0 of 5 from 133 ratings
1h 29min
- General info
- Available formats
- Synopsis:
- Set in the harsh environment of post war Rome, Vittorio De Sica's masterpiece examines society's indifference toward the poor and downtrodden. An old age pensioner, receiving a totally inadequate pension, struggles to survive and is driven to desperation and the contemplation of suicide. Set in real locations with a non professional cast, 'Umberto D.' conveys the harshness and wretchedness of old age in a simple but devastatingly realistic way, avoiding sentimentality but evoking great emotion.
- Actors:
- Carlo Battisti, Maria-Pia Casilio, Lina Gennari, Ileana Simova, Elena Rea, Memmo Carotenuto, Alberto Albani Barbieri, Pasquale Campagnola, Riccardo Ferri, Lamberto Maggiorani, De Silva
- Directors:
- Vittorio De Sica
- Producers:
- Giuseppe Amato, Vittorio De Sica, Angelo Rizzoli
- Writers:
- Cesare Zavattini
- Studio:
- Nouveaux Pictures
- Genres:
- Classics, Drama
- Collections:
- A Brief History of Old Age on Screen: Part 1, All the Twos: 1902-62, Getting to Know..., Getting to Know: Sophia Loren, A Brief History of Film..., The Instant Expert's Guide, The Instant Expert's Guide to Luchino Visconti
- Countries:
- Italy
- BBFC:
- Release Date:
- 24/04/2017
- Run Time:
- 89 minutes
- Languages:
- Italian Dolby Digital 1.0
- Subtitles:
- English
- Formats:
- Pal
- Aspect Ratio:
- Widescreen 1.78:1 / 16:9
- Colour:
- B & W
- BLU-RAY Regions:
- B
- Bonus:
- Vittorio D.: A tribute to multi-awarded maestro filmmaker De Sica, a milestone of Cinema history. With participations from Clint Eastwood, Ken Loach, Mike Leigh, etc
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Reviews (2) of Umberto D.
A poor man in pocket but a rich man at heart - Umberto D. review by PT
Mr Umberto owes money to his landlady , which he must pay in full or be evicted. Basically the plot is the main protagonist trying to come up with the money.
In his efforts though, we see the real meaning of the film, how society shuns the poor and elderly. It is heartbreaking to see him approach some old friends who cannot get away from him quick enough, as if he's a contagious leper.
He has a good heart and cares for the young maid at his lodgings who is pregnant but not sure who the father is. It is his relationship with his dog (Flike) that is the most touching and deeply meaningful though. A great thought provoking film.
1 out of 1 members found this review helpful.
Social Realism. - Umberto D. review by Steve
Heartbreaking Italian neorealism about an elderly man struggling to survive in Rome during postwar economic austerity. There is political edge as the story begins with the city's pensioners protesting to the government. Though no one is listening. When Umberto is made homeless, he can dispose of himself, but what about his beloved dog?
Vittorio Da Sica again casts non-professional actors, with Carlo Battisti unforgettable in his only screen role. He's not just a political casualty, he feels like a whole person, diminished by a loss of status and dignity; irascible, oversensitive and unable to change, yet compassionate. There is a surplus of pathos, but it's too real to be sentimental.
The tragicomic ending is overwhelming. He imposes on the kindness of a young woman (Maria Pia Casillo) who is pregnant by a disinterested soldier and there is the impression of a Darwinist society where the weak will suffer. And of Rome after WWII where a new rentier class is in possession of resources. Not so different from now.
Like all De Sica's films in this period, he implies a socialist solution, but there is no tubthumping. We witness the inexorable downfall of an old, poor, disregarded man. Like millions of others. It met with irritation from a forgetful public eager to move on, and marks the end of neorealism. But it is an enduring masterpiece.
0 out of 0 members found this review helpful.