Umberto D -- What Makes This Movie Great? (Episode 67)

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0:00 Introduction
0:32 Review
3:03 Umberto D as a Representative Elderly Person
5:17 Flike the Dog
6:08 Social Issues
Vittorio De Sica's 1952 movie, "Umberto D," about Italian old-age pensioners was the one he considered his best. Many agree.
Why? This video will review and analyze Umberto D, a still-relevant movie about contemporary social difficulties, centered on care and concern for elderly people.
All reasonable comments welcome, including reasoned disagreements. You will be banned for foolish talk, harassment, and hate speech on sight; it's a tremendous waste of life.
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16 июн 2024

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Комментарии : 75

@normanyang7751 2 года назад

More info. The actor is Dr. Carlo Battisti born Austrian subject in 1882, sympathized with Italian unification at Univ of Vienna, sent to Battle of Galicia in 07/1914 and POW for 44 months in Siberia, back in Vienna to reclaim professorship, after government investigation, fired on XMas eve in 1918, went to Italy and became Librarian in city of Gorizia ONLY by Government order and became Italian subject (was enemy subject of Italy earlier). Hostility toward him at beginning (~1919, 1920) and he suffered hardship until 1925 and became professor at Univ of Florence for ~4 decades and made contribution academically. After retirement, donated most of his life saving toward Univ for supporting poor student (he did similar thing to Ethic Italian students 60y ago in Vienna). During WWII, his work was used by Fascist Italy for Propaganda and also Italicization of Ethically German speaking South Tyrol, some comments he made toward South Tyrol's Italianization resented by local population. (

@LearningaboutMovies 2 года назад

Really tremendous stuff here. Thank you.

@jimmyj1969 3 года назад

The moment Umberto has Flike in his hands again, with the train passes full-speed a few inches from them, is one of the most heart-breaking (and also wonderfully klimaxed) in movie history!

@LearningaboutMovies 3 года назад

it's brutal after that when Flike nearly runs away.

@andrewlockett4569 3 года назад

Several memorable scenes. Two other stand outs are when Umberto returns to find his room wall busted through to the neighbours, the final clincher that is long rent tenure is over, and the shot of Maria, the maid standing silent at the window staring out when Umberto leaves for the final time on the bus. No words, no waves, no gestures of any kind, just lead weight gravitas.

@LearningaboutMovies 3 года назад

yes!

@mmcong1 9 месяцев назад

This is one of my top ten films. Unforgettable and deeply moving. It is also a great example of a film with an excellent sense of rhythm which De Sica excelled at. The simple scene of the maid making a cup of coffee serves two purposes: it reminds us that life is made up such mundane tasks but it also helps with the rhythm of the film by inserting a brief lull between more intense moments. Simply perfect film. Senior Italian politicians of the era (most notably Giulio Andreotti) allegedly tried to suppress the distribution of this film and even threatened the fledgling Cannes Film Festival with pulling all Italian content from their festival if awards were given to this film. Andreotti's objection was that De Sica insisted on highlighting Italy's social problems to the world and accused him of "Washing Italy's dirty laundry in public". De Sica fought bravely for years trying to make the Neo-Realist films he wanted to make despite increasing pressure placed on him.

@Whytelabel 3 года назад

Thanks so much for posting this review. I'm in Rome at the moment and watched this film for the first time this evening. I was even at the Pantheon today! I'll go back tomorrow and see that wall where Flike had the hat in his mouth and that pillar where Mr Umberto hid in a totally new light. My favourite scene. Such a touching film. I try and look at the ending positively. So long as Flike and Mr Umberto have each other... but that's just me hoping, and the message of the film is to not rely on hoping for the best.

@LearningaboutMovies 3 года назад

excellent. enjoy my favorite city, and this (Dec. 30) is a great time of year to be there.

@ariannatrapani5824 3 года назад

I watched this movie a long time ago but sadly I think I won't watch it again for the rest of my life. Now I'm almost in the situation that's the one the movie shows (I live in Rome too and I know very well all the locations) and even if it's a really beautiful masterpiece I can't bear the agony (the dog is too much for me that loved and had dogs all my life). So Umberto D is etched in my memory but just in my memory never to be watched again.

@LearningaboutMovies 3 года назад

that is completely understandable. however, I envy that you are in my favorite city. please enjoy it every day for us.

@BobSullivanAKABuffy 2 года назад

Arianna, I was wondering if you could tell me where the park is at the end of the film where the children are playing. I'd love to see it on my next visit. Grazie.

@jimmyj1969 3 года назад

At last! A video about this masterpiece was really missing on Y/T!

@LearningaboutMovies 3 года назад

really? I have noticed that a few videos on this channel have no equal, at least that I can find searching. just strange, but of course RU-vid doesn't not push or promote this material. People aren't searching for it, and so it doesn't get seen. That's fine. I'm not all about view numbers.

@jordanundertree9759 Год назад

One part I really took notice of when watching this movie is the fact that Umberto barely pays any attention to Flike until the end of the movie. He typically only uses Flike for getting him money, or his back is turned to Flike, or he's trying to get rid of him. He was blind almost to the end, but luckily Flike reminded him of what was right under his nose, that despite having nothing he had everything he needed! Loved this movie. Give your dog a hug y'all

@yacovmitchenko1490 2 года назад

One of the most moving films ever - gut wrenching and heartbreaking. If someone wants to see true horror without all the gore and special effects, this one would be on the top of the list. I understand Arianna: it's not necessarily a movie I'd wish to see again, because there are scenes which are just too painful to watch.

@JamesVaughan Год назад

A shattering and unforgettable film that haunts you for many days after seeing it. A timeless classic and possibly the greatest Italian postwar film. Vittorio de Sica’s masterpiece.

@jimmyl324 Год назад

One of the greatest movies ever made

@poetcomic1 4 месяца назад

Another devastating moment I NEVER forgot was the old man stops on the street, turns his hand up it is such a simple gesture, almost nothing, but he at that moment becomes 'a beggar and it appalls him.

@samz9882 3 года назад

Thanks for this! I really appreciated you taking care to explain why this movie is still so good to this day

@LearningaboutMovies 3 года назад

I just realized today, while working on a Wild Strawberries video, that Bergman may be using Wild Strawberries to respond to this movie. I'll have to think through that one.

@samz9882 3 года назад

@@LearningaboutMovies Interesting! It would certainly make sense :o

@viningscircle Месяц назад

It's a hard-hitting film, without any sugar-coating on the old man's plight. I feel it is indeed social commentary to prompt society examine the situation of so many that in this day still has much relevance. If you haven't seen it already, do not hesitate to watch.

@LearningaboutMovies Месяц назад

Thank you

@jameswayton2340 3 года назад

''Its better to burn out, then to fade away'' Neil Young - hey hey my my

@LearningaboutMovies 3 года назад

I wonder what Umberto D would've thought of Neil Young.

@robkeeleycomposer 8 месяцев назад

The scene at the dog pound is surely a chilling if oblique reference to the Nazi gas chambers, the memory of which which would still be very raw after only six or seven years. Just thinking about this movie makes me well up. As it's surely meant to. And the Roman backgrounds are so evocative.

@VespertiliKildem 3 года назад

It's beautiful to see Vittorio De Sica appreciated worldwide. I just finished watching Umberto D. My gosh, the struggle, the emotion. To see an old man, poor, with his dog as only companion. And the final scene, the DECISION. My gosh. I think Umberto D. is slightly below Ladri di Biciclette. Let's say Ladri di Biciclette is a 10, Umberto D. is a 9. But De Sica knew how to make you cry.

@LearningaboutMovies 3 года назад

yes, worldwide, people are watching his films. This is clear from my videos on The Bicycle Thieves as well.

@marioromano400 3 года назад

Can’t beat the golden age of Italian cinema

@LearningaboutMovies 3 года назад

it's still instructive, very much so, for filmmakers.

@snicky58 Год назад

Thanks for making this video. I saw this film when I was about 20 (eons ago) and loved it. I have been wanting to watch it again.

@LearningaboutMovies Год назад

you're welcome.

@codycigar6542 2 дня назад

In my top 5 films. I absolutely adore it.

@BobSullivanAKABuffy 2 года назад

Just got done watching the dvd from Netflix (remember those? they still ship!) Have you seen the recent Italian film about pensioners, Citizens of the World (aka Lontano, Lontano)? Seems like not much has changed for the elderly Italian single man in 70 years. I'm actually considering moving there with my US pension!

@LearningaboutMovies 2 года назад

my dream is to live in Rome, or live in a little town and travel by train to it often. Not sure how much it costs to live there or how long they allow a Visa to stay. Good for you if you can do it. I think if any place will hold up through the vagaries of historical change, it might be Italy. They have proven to do so! No I have not seen that film, and I'll put it on my watchlist.

@joshdesko6760 3 года назад

De Sica also had pretty good acting chops as well, vis-à-vis The Earrings of Madame de.

@LearningaboutMovies 3 года назад

interesting, I did not notice that!

@joshdesko6760 3 года назад

@@LearningaboutMovies he’s the diplomat.

@aravis72 8 месяцев назад

Thank you for making this video. I just watched this movie (before seeing your video) and the ending was truly devastating. I would like to find out more about theories or ideas on the ending. Also, you mentioned neorealism, but you said it was because it dealt with the social issues of the day. I had always thought neo realism was more about the way it was filmed, like it is a style similar to cinema verite. TIA

@roaminronin7818 3 года назад

Thanks for the recommendation. This one has been on the watchlist for years, I think ill watch soon

@LearningaboutMovies 3 года назад

great, let me know what you think, any reaction at all.

@roaminronin7818 3 года назад

Hey there.. so i watched Umberto D tonight. I felt it was an excellent movie. It was exhausting (in a good way) in that you could feel the struggle & despair/hopelessness. The connection we make with animals, & the selflessness made for them were key themes. As you touched on toward the end of the video I felt this movie did stir up thoughts on aging & our futures. How can we take care of ourselves, especially if you have no one left to help.. what kind of life did he live in his youth whether it was fulfilling or not & how in the end it seems futile.. and the loneliness at this latter stage of life & lack of empathy some can have toward it. Things we generally try to avoid thinking about during most of our lives. Good movie. may buy this one.

@ronaldmilner8932 Год назад

I am late to the comments, but I have this movie on Laser Disc- I bought it years ago and it is truly unforgettable! I remember doing some research on the film. and the condition of the pensioners in Italy is pretty much the same as depicted in this landmark film.

@davidenaldi7624 Год назад

Ho scoperto questo film all'università, frequentando "Teorie del Cinema": il neorealismo è un momento di rottura con il periodo storico apparentemente appena terminato, quello del ventennio fascista, dove la cultura attraverso il cinema cerca di portare il pubblico a pensare, prendere tempo per riflettere, mettendo la realtà prima del montaggio, usando profondità di campo per creare una reale immersione nella vita reale. Grande film, con tempi lunghi come con Maria che si risveglia, o chiude la porta con il piede. Una grande opera del maestro De Sica.

@ShakespeareCafe Год назад

More poignant is the euthanasia chamber at the dog pound. Dogs certainly have it worse in feeling unwanted and expendable. He did ask a former colleague for 2500 lira but the man pretty much brushed that request aside. AirBnB is doing this type of housing displacement in a similar way. Young people should definitely watch this film as a warning to save your money because society has obviously degenerated enough today that there are massive numbers of homeless now.

@vigneshr5555 3 года назад

Great brother love from India❤️

@LearningaboutMovies 3 года назад

bless you and thank you. I appreciate all of the Indian subscribers and commenters. They have been very kind.

@aronichakraborty5192 3 года назад

@@LearningaboutMovies you have many Indian subscribers who are mainly Bengali because you made videos on Satyajit Ray . I will suggest you to make videos on Ritwik Ghatak movies ( another legendary Bengali director) . Ghatak made only 8 movies in his lifetime but all the movies are milestones .

@vigneshr5555 3 года назад

Brother plzz review shoeshine of di sica

@LearningaboutMovies 3 года назад

thank you. yes, one day, though I will need to procure a copy -- not always so easy.

@vigneshr5555 3 года назад

@@LearningaboutMovies okay brother

@LaughMuBai Месяц назад

Sold! Had to stop your video, as I'm going to get this film, but I'll return after I've watched it...

@LearningaboutMovies Месяц назад

thank you. I hope you gain much from it.

@Jesus420.69 3 месяца назад

I’ve paused right at the start. Is their spoilers?

@LearningaboutMovies 3 месяца назад

I think that Jesus Christ would not be worried about spoilers, for obvious reasons of omniscience.

@Jesus420.69 3 месяца назад

@@LearningaboutMovies just finished the movie. I was getting a little choked up towards the end. Then filkes yelping at the train. I think I may cry myself to sleep ☹️

@francisybarra3966 3 года назад

crime and punishment another great literary example ....poetic justice .....starving artists world wide ..included

@LearningaboutMovies 3 года назад

yes, thanks.

@fernandoguevara8258 2 года назад

I just finished watching this absolutely great film. This is why I've only been watching the foreign movies of the 50's, 60's, and 70's for quite some time now. They are void of those " only in the movies, larger than life, unrelatable Hollywood moments. I wondered, though, what happened to the maid and her situation at the end of the film. It made me long for more, I felt like the movie was missing something. But now I believe that it was intentionaly done. Perhaps it adds to the realism. And to that theme of lacking.

@LearningaboutMovies 2 года назад

very good point, thank you.

@LeoSkyro 3 года назад

Having just seen Umberto D and being Italian, I'm thinking that it might be easier to enjoy Neorealist movies, and other pictures that make use of non professional actors... if one is not fluent or native of the language spoken in the film I like it ok, but the acting was just so stilted, it was just distracting.

@LearningaboutMovies 3 года назад

fair enough.

@adojrable 2 года назад

Filmnya sungguh menyiksa... 10/10

@LearningaboutMovies 2 года назад

thank you.

@raydandum8944 3 года назад

Do 8 1/2 and l'avventura and last year at marienbad

@LearningaboutMovies 3 года назад

good suggestions. I'm staring at a shelf full of movies to get to. What's keeping me back is time. If only this gig paid more or I was indepenently wealthy ...

@roaminronin7818 3 года назад

yeah have fun with Last Year at Marienbad, whew ;)

@ricardocima Год назад

@@roaminronin7818 lol

@greghuffman3061 7 месяцев назад

ohh yeh the dog

@gachefranco 2 года назад

Hey, look in USA....hundreds on the streets!!!

@LearningaboutMovies 2 года назад

uh, what?

@francisybarra3966 3 года назад

i urge uncle sam to raise it handouts dont cut it ..francis 70 off and on homeless 5 years .... sliding scale rents landlords ..small ones request extra funds

@LearningaboutMovies 3 года назад

thanks.