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Umberto D

Play trailerPoster for Umberto DReleased Jan 20, 19521h 31mDramaPlay Trailer Watchlist
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98%Tomatometer 41 Reviews 93%Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
When elderly pensioner Umberto Domenico Ferrari (Carlo Battisti) returns to his boarding house from a protest calling for a hike in old-age pensions, his landlady (Lina Gennari) demands her 15,000-lire rent by the end of the month or he and his small dog will be turned out onto the street. Unable to get the money in time, Umberto fakes illness to get sent to a hospital, giving his beloved dog to the landlady's pregnant and abandoned maid (Maria-Pia Casilio) for temporary safekeeping.
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Umberto D

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Critics Consensus

Anchored by Carlo Battisti's moving performance as Umberto D, Vittorio de Sica's deeply empathetic character study is a bracing glimpse into the lives of the downtrodden.

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Critics Reviews

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Patrick Gibbs Daily Telegraph (UK) The unemphatic acting of Carlo Battisti and Maria Pia Casilio falls perfectly into place. It ls a brave film and, again, a disturbing one. Sep 14, 2022 Full Review Richard L. Coe Washington Post Not since France, before the war, sent us The End of the Day has a film honorably faced the fact of old age. This is the subject, probingly, beautifully detailed in [Umberto D.]. Aug 16, 2022 Full Review Walter Goodman New York Times Vittorio De Sica's memorable ''Umberto D'' seems more sentimental now, but as you stay with it, the small story grows to a most moving climax. Jan 9, 2018 Full Review James Berardinelli ReelViews Umberto D. is an almost-perfect slice-of-life. Rated: 3.5/4 Mar 22, 2024 Full Review Vernon Young The Hudson Review Few directors could manage... the beautiful cadence in this film where the coming of day is enacted through the actions of Maria as she gets out of bed. The scene is wordless, leisured and almost unbearably intimate. Jan 17, 2024 Full Review Keith Garlington Keith & the Movies The story of “Umberto D.” is very simple in scope but powerful in message. Rated: 4.5/5 Aug 21, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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William B A neorealism classic. It's worth it. Definitely recommended. Rated 5 out of 5 stars01/10/25 Full Review Leaburn O 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. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars06/30/23 Full Review Valerii Ege D 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? Rated 5 out of 5 stars05/15/23 Full Review Christopher B 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! Rated 5 out of 5 stars10/24/22 Full Review dave s 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. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars03/30/23 Full Review Audience Member 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. Rated 3 out of 5 stars02/18/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Umberto D

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Cast & Crew

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Vittorio De Sica

Director

Carlo Battisti

Umberto Domenico Ferrari

Maria-Pia Casilio

Maria

Lina Gennari

Landlady

Alberto Albani Barbieri

L'amico di Antonia (uncredited)

Elena Rea

Sister

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Umberto D

Umberto D (1952)Umberto D (1952) View more photos

Movie Info

SynopsisWhen elderly pensioner Umberto Domenico Ferrari (Carlo Battisti) returns to his boarding house from a protest calling for a hike in old-age pensions, his landlady (Lina Gennari) demands her 15,000-lire rent by the end of the month or he and his small dog will be turned out onto the street. Unable to get the money in time, Umberto fakes illness to get sent to a hospital, giving his beloved dog to the landlady's pregnant and abandoned maid (Maria-Pia Casilio) for temporary safekeeping.
Director
Vittorio De Sica
Producer
Angelo Rizzoli, Giuseppe Amato, Vittorio De Sica
Screenwriter
Cesar Zavattini
Distributor
Rialto Pictures
Production Co
Rizzoli Film
Genre
Drama
Original Language
Italian
Release Date (Theaters)
Jan 20, 1952, Original
Rerelease Date (Theaters)
Nov 7, 1955
Release Date (Streaming)
Mar 11, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA)
$74.3K
Runtime
1h 31m
Sound Mix
Mono
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