A neorealism classic. It's worth it. Definitely recommended.

Whilst I don't think it's quite the classic that it's often made out to be, there's no denying that it has a decent story to tell about a time and place in Italian history as well as possibly influencing one of the sun plots to Shawshank. Decent and fairly short tale.

The film is special to me, as it is a much deeper and more unforgettable film than the well-known Bicycle Thieves. The story of Uncle Umberto and his dog Flike is painfully realistic. The helplessness of an elderly man, his weakness and inability to cope, and his attempts to survive despite everything, while still trying to care for those around him, especially his dog, is both heartwarming and heartbreaking. The fact that even able-bodied people struggle to find work and are reduced to selling their own sheets, while an elderly man struggles to survive during a crisis is one of the best examples of the difficulties of the period. Young people live, but what about the elderly?

Vittorio de Seca was a master of the neorealist style and Umberto D. is one of his many, some argue the greatest, masterpieces. The key to the neorealist movement was in utilizing real life locations and mostly ordinary people in the prominent roles. Umberto D. is played by Carlo Battisti, who was a professor and this is the only film he was featured in but yet what a wonderful performance! Battisti gives such a multifaceted portrayal of the character that you really feel for the down-and-out side but also cheer on the stubborn and prideful side too. The story itself isn't overly complex but rather tells a straight forward narrative following Umberto D. and his trusty companion, whom seems to be the only stability in his life. We see how Umberto's life has been going downward since his retirement and his surmounting back-rent forces his landlady to kick him out (in reality she simply wants to do some improvements to the house and needs his room). We then see him trying to catch a break and get the money in order to keep his room by selling his belongings, all of which the viewer knows is pointless as she wants him out, and thus setting him back all the more. Umberto after coming to this realization that he has lost his home and livelihood as well as any pride he once had, has two choices left. He can either end it all by committing suicide or carrying on into the unknown future with very little to his name, simply his dog for company. The ending can be bittersweet as there is hope but amongst a lot of hopelessness and gloom. The film is simply terrific in telling a profoundly moving story and one of the crowning jewels of the neorealist movement!

One of the masterpieces of the Italian neorealist movement, Vittorio De Sica's Umberto D. tells the story of Umberto, a retired civil servant trying to adjust to life in post-war Rome. Abandoned by his colleagues, struggling to survive on a meager pension, and battling with his landlord to avoid eviction from his rundown apartment, he finds that his only friend is his faithful dog, who remains by his side regardless of the hardships experienced. Featuring some beautiful cinematography and strong performances from its primarily amateur cast, Umberto D. is a film about survival in a changing world and finding companionship in a community uninterested in establishing relationships. It is filled with memorable moments, including the final touching scene where Umberto looks for a home for his faithful dog. Umberto D. is must see viewing for anyone interested in classic cinema.

After watching the Trailer for this film I had high expectations. Unfortunately I came out disappointed due to the lack of character developments. On one hand you can sympathize with the Main Characters ,but their personal stories merely scratch the surface. Nothing is ever revealed about anyone's past background. Nor do we see much more than mere daily struggles to keep a room and board. I would have liked to know more about Umberto and Maria's background or even a future outcome. Another major flaw with this movie was the sloppy cutscenes that jumped from one dialogue to an entirely different scene. If it wasn't hard enough keeping up with a foreign language film ,their conversations were too impersonal. Every time it appeared to have a heartfelt moment we are immediately catapulted back into a pointless scenario.It was just not an enjoyable viewing experience or had much of a point that reached a conclusive end.

This neorealism film is hard and easy at the same time and it's just thus by the direction. Carlo Battisti performance is from another world. He showed his soul to the camera. 7/10

Umberto D is a film of great simplicity in story writing and cinematography elements yet surprisingly complex in capturing raw emotions of seemingly everyday thing and everyday people. Portraying the recovery of Italy after WWII, we follow an elderly man in his daily struggle to stay afloat. Through the interactions with the characters he encounters, we glimpses into his psychological turmoil; a tug of war in which on one side is his pride, and staying alive on the other. The story is dense and lean in an almost economic way, with little excess. But the meat of the matter lies in the slow burn build up to Umberto's suicide attempt. Most of the actions throughout the film seems to have no grandeur. Characters mostly hang around waiting for something, doing routinal things, but loomed over by the shadow of some invisible force of their own fate, pulling from inside, the unknown that is their future. This is perhaps the juxtaposition that prominently characterizes neo-realism. What's most notable is that the actor for Umberto's role wasn't a professional actor. Yet the performance turns out to be one that is relatable and sincere. It is somewhere in that authenticity and almost vulnerability that made the film all the more urgent and emotional.

Sad Italian movies with no subtitles..A man and his dogs love for each other .

I watched this movie randomly not knowing it to be one of the most important movies to ever be filmed, but to find out so does not surprise me considering its masterful organization of pace, tone and expectation. Absolutely fantastic in delivering one of the most desolate and hopeless endings ever.

It's Rule Number One of film: you get a dog involved in a sincere drama without coming off as silly, and you've got a guaranteed critical following. Like De Sica's earlier Bicycle Thieves, Umberto D. focuses on silent suffering, very human plights that feel tangible, often existing just below the surface of society's accomplishments, victims that exist as a result of weaknesses of everyday life that people would rather pretend did not exist. The film taps into a deep-seated, universal fear - the unknown associated with age, feelings of uselessness, and a lack of love; though it clearly taps into bleak aspects of life in post-WWII Europe, its themes are universal. What could have been a powerful-but-predictable piece on human suffering and isolation is instead completely reoriented with moments of pure joy in the midst of all the misfortune, and an ending that is so hopeful that it's downright devastating. There is consideration of the balance between shame and survival in a modern setting that is just as compelling as the more overt emotional exploration between Umberto, his dog, and Maria, the girl whose pregnancy without a husband means she is living on borrowed time in her position. A great piece of Neorealist cinema that is brought out by one of the incredible performances from a movement famed for its use of nonprofessional actors; Battisti is stunning, and can portray his character's fury and withdrawn moments with great care. But this was his sole performance, so like Harper Lee, we're left wondering what if. (4.5/5)

The formula is similar to that of "Ladri di Biciclette", De Sica's earlier masterpiece. A social commentary about the struggle of the common man for survival.

When you watch a movie like this you ask to yourself what's happen to cinema. You watch this movie and you're in the movie, you live in the room where Umberto sleep, you live his pain, his problems, you feel what does it means being old, being broke. Umberto D. bring you to walk in some other else shoes, with such sublime elegance. I can easily believe that this was the favorite movie of Bergman, it's poetry of street. Materpiece

An alright film, that focuses on an elderly gentleman who feels his humanity being stripped away in a post-war society. Its slow-pacing is less than to be desired but makes up with heart

Stunned into silence and contemplation by the whole movie.

Entrañable, perfecto mix de drama con humor ¿que vejez le estamos dejando al mundo?

Umberto D. is an Italian neorealist film in the vein of Bicycle Thieves. A retiree with a fixed income struggles to get by as his pension is eaten away by postwar inflation. Umberto is dignified in the face of misery and you feel sorry for him, and especially his dog, even though the movie never manipulates your feelings.

A classic story of world cinema. Umberto (Carlo Battisti) is a retired civil servant, bereft of friends--save for his pet dog--and family. Unable to pay the rent on the shabby room where he has lived for three decades, Umberto is slated for eviction. His angered protests to the Italian government about the cavalier treatment afforded him and his fellow senior citizens fall upon deaf ears. So I'm in world cinema, a class at my film school. Each week, we're supposed to watch one movie that's considered a classic. Many of these films thrived in times of neorealism, French New Wave, Japanese realism, and more. "Umberto D." was one of the first films we watched. Back then, the way films were shot stylistically were so much different than they are today. "Umberto D." was shot with many long, lingering takes and not many cuts. Its black & white film makes this film visually appealing. The lack of cuts and rapid editing allows us, the audience, to experience all the emotion we need to in minimal takes. The character of Umberto is really what made this film. The film depicted a lifestyle of the lower class in order to show people the severity and difficulties that many faced. Umberto is the average citizen, too proud to beg but too old to work a meaningful job. He's stuck in a dead end and we watch his struggles and how it defines him as a person within civilization. In the end, "Umberto D." was a great film. I'm sure it's on the Criterion Collection but if not, I know it's available at a small price for streaming.

Examines the pathetic side of sorrow. A happy ending from the love a dog--all you need.

There's a lot of human spirit in this movie. Pretty sad at times it shows how a dog can really be a man's best friend. It was very striking to see the poverty but also kindness that is spread throughout the movie. Quite sad and depressing, but also very hopeful. Wonderful movie!