Animal Bloopers & Funny Moments

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A masterpiece of neorealism
A Masterpiece
"Give up the man from Florence."
Umberto and Flike
Heartbreaking follow-up from an Italian Master.

Umberto D. - Criterion Collection
Starring: Carlo Battisti , Maria-Pia Casilio , Lina Gennari , Ileana Simova , and Elena Rea
Director: Vittorio De Sica
Manufacturer: Criterion
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00009ME9Z
Release Date: 2003-07-22

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Umberto D. is one of the enduring masterpieces of Italian neorealism, considered by many to be one of the greatest films ever made. Everything that neorealism represents can be found in this simple, heartbreaking story of an aged Roman named Umberto (played by Carlo Battisti, non-professional actor and retired college professor) who struggles to survive in a city plagued by passive disregard for the post-World War II plight of the elderly. With his little dog, Flike, as his only companion, Umberto faces imminent eviction, and his insufficient pension and failed attempts to raise money lead him to contemplate suicide... if he can find a home for Flike. His dilemma--and director Vittorio De Sica's compassionate, unsentimental handling of it--results in a film of uncompromising grace and authenticity. Like De Sica's earlier masterpieces Shoeshine and The Bicycle Thief, Umberto D. earns its teardrops honestly; if this timeless classic doesn't make you smile and cry, you'd better check for a pulse. --Jeff Shannon

Description

Shot on location with a cast of nonprofessional actors, Vittorio De Sica's neorealist masterpiece follows Umberto D., an elderly pensioner, as he struggles to make ends meet during Italy's postwar economic boom. Alone except for his dog, Flike, Umberto strives to maintain his dignity while trying to survive in a city where traditional human kindness seems to have lost out to the forces of modernization. Umberto's simple quest to fulfill the most fundamental human needs—food, shelter, companionship—is one of the most heartbreaking stories ever filmed and an essential classic of world cinema.

Customer Reviews:

A masterpiece of neorealism.......2007-06-20

Having seen the film I read a bit about it. The Criterion Collection provides a booklet with an excellent review by Stuart Klawans and a bit of an interview with director Vittorio De Sica. What I learned was the Umberto D. was a big flop at the box office in Italy primarily because the Italian government didn't like the film because they thought it was insulting since it made Italy seem so unfeeling, poverty-stricken, and mercantile. I was struck by this because, yes, poor Umberto and his dog are pretty much set out to pasture without so much as some grass and a bone. But to say that such a film reflects upon an entire people is perhaps to protest too much.

Italy was devastated by the failure of fascism and was just beginning to recover from the war when this film was made, and nobody wanted any downers. Vittorio De Sica's film is perhaps not so much of a downer as the early critics thought. The ending is ambiguous and while not hopeful for Umberto is somewhat inspiring in the youthfulness of his dog and in the sweet humanity of the maid Maria who shoulders her situation with alacrity while showing affection and kindness toward a bitter old man.

I was not moved to tears as some have been in watching this. Umberto's troubles seem to me (from my privileged vantage point in time and place) somewhat of his own doing. I imagined that he supported the fascists, and I saw his poverty in his old age as a direct result of that support. Barring that, I imagined that he had planned poorly for his old age, and at any rate his values, represented by his always wearing a suit and tie and hat and his inability to beg or to take some kind of job, disqualified him for tears. Of course I was unfair.

Even so my sympathy was with him, and I respected the decision he finally makes--although whether he will be able to carry it out is unclear. I respect his dignity, and identify with him in his struggle with the Teutonic and utterly bourgeois landlord who holds sway over him, played with a deliberately heavy presence by Lina Gennari, whom De Sica photographs up close and low to her large body to emphasize her strength and to make it clear to us that Umberto has no chance in his struggle with her.

Both Carlo Battisti who played Umberto and Maria Pia Casilio who played Maria, were considered amateur actors, very much in keeping with the neorealistic school of film; yet for me they were both excellent and natural, whereas Gennari, who was a professional, seemed artificial. But that impression is an artifact of the neorealist school (which they say died with this film). The very fact of no flourishes and no modeling and certainly no flights of creativity by the actors, it was believed, helped to make the film realistic, about real people in real situations.

Today of course this is a celebrated film, considered one of De Sica's best. He himself believed from the very beginning that it was one of his best even though he knew it would be hard-pressed to make any money for its producers.

A word about the dog (the other professional actor in the film). Flike is extraordinarily well-trained, so much so he becomes part of the psychology of the film and is at the very heart of the denouement. The scene near the end where Umberto dips under the rail guard as the train approaches, Flike held close to his chest--and the scene after--is of one of the great sequences in cinema, and, ironically, as in a commercial film, stars a dog! Umberto D. is in fact one of the greatest dog films ever made. All dog lovers will appreciate the love that Umberto feels for his dog and the love that is returned AND the gutty realism that the dog displays.

The DVD includes a documentary about De Sica that I didn't have a chance to view, excellent subtitles, and a video interview with Maria Pia Casilio.

I would almost say, see this for the dog, but do see this for Vittorio De Sica, one of cinema's greats, here at his best, and for Cesare Zavattini who wrote the compelling script.

A Masterpiece.......2007-02-12

Umberto D is a masterpiece of neo-realism with many interwoven stories, not just that of poor Umberto. It's also a story of urban life, ageing, poverty, young people and pretension in Italy in the 1950s. A tear jerker for both women and men.

"Give up the man from Florence.".......2006-11-25

"Umberto D." is Vittorio De Sica's neorealistic examination of one elderly man's struggle to survive. Watching it will make you realize just how indifferent society can be to individual suffering.

Umberto Domenico Ferrari (Carlo Battisti) is a desperate man who barely gets by on his small government pension. He lives in an apartment with his pet dog, Flike, but is facing eviction due to his inability to keep up with the rent. Umberto finds a sympathetic ear in Maria (Maria-Pia Casilio), the maid in his apartment complex, but he knows there is not much she can do to help him. With his money running out and only his loyal dog at his side, Umberto desperately tries to find a way to hold onto what little dignity he has left.

De Sica is determined to show just how depressing real life can be in "Umberto D." There is no joy and very little hope present in this stark and unforgiving film. Battisti is absolutely riveting as the retiree who is one step away from the abyss. Yet despite its uncanny ability to recreate the ebb and flow of real life, "Umberto D." is not very interesting to watch. Viewing this film is the equivalent of sitting on a street corner and watching the people around you do things. This might be interesting initially but eventually boredom will start to set in. "Umberto D." produces the exact same reaction. Initially, Umberto's plight holds you attention but one can watch only so many scenes emphasizing how desperate he is before you tune out. In the final tally, "Umberto D." is a prime example of how good filmmaking technique does not always result in the production of a good film.

Umberto and Flike.......2006-11-11

I had no real idea what sort of movie "Umberto D." was until I saw it the other night. It struck me as a movie that focussed on the eternal challenge of Hope vs. Despair. We get the idea right from the opening scene that this is about an elderly pensioner whose fixed income is way behind the inflated Lire. His is a shared dilemna but there doesn't seem to be too much sympathy out there. He is determined that he will not be evicted from his apartment and spends his hours plotting, pawning, and pleading. Along the way, we come to know Umberto, his landlady, the housemaid, and a number of other characters including his dog Flike. Eventually, the problems come to a head. Umberto has made his decision and is prepared to implement it but one minor problem arises. In the end, Umberto's battle between Hope and Despair finds its' winner.

I found myself thinking of the movie "Harry and Tonto" as I was watching "Umberto D." I'm not sure why I share that here because "Umberto D." is clearly the superior movie. I remember my cousin trying to describe "Harry and Tonto". All she could say was it was about an old man and a cat that go on a trip. Some may come away from "Umberto D." with a similar conclusion.

The greatness of "Umberto D." is in its'direction. The acting is good but it is the director who puts everything together in a way that leaves us feeling that we have been invited to share, for a few days, the private life of a private man. It is that intimacy that makes us glad we were able watch this movie. In Umberto's challenges, we come across people who don't care, people who do care and people who'd like to care but they have more pressing things to. In our appreciation of Umberto's plight, we are given our our challenge to figure out which category of caring describes us. The reality, we come to understand, is that, at varying points in time, all three fit.

Heartbreaking follow-up from an Italian Master........2006-08-13

Umberto D. (1952) Vittorio DeSica's follow-up to The Bicycle Thief stars Carlo Battisti as an elderly pensioner struggling through life in post-WWII Italy. The fact that the brilliant Battisti was not really an actor, but a retired college professor, only adds to the realism. The ending will leave a lump in your throat, but the experience is well worth it.

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Banned From Television, Uncensored!
Starring: Banned from TV
Manufacturer: Mantra Films
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Faces of Death Collection (Vols. 1-4)
world's wildest street fights 2
Ringmaster

ASIN: B0000639GZ
Release Date: 2002-04-02

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Animal Bloopers & Funny Moments
Starring: Animal Bloopers & Funny Moment
Manufacturer: Madacy Records
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Starring: Bob Saget , Ernie Anderson , Jess Harnell , John Fugelsang , and Daisy Fuentes
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Extreme, Animal and Sports Bloopers 3 DVD Set

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Extreme, Animal and Sports Bloopers 3 DVD Set

Manufacturer: Madacy
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Bloopers | Sports | Genres | DVD | Video

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