Box set: Essential Art House - 50 Years of Janus Films

Umberto D.

Drama

Carlo Battisti	Umberto Domenico Ferrari
Maria-Pia Casilio	Maria, la servetta
Lina Gennari	Antonia, la padrona di case
Ileana Simova	La donna nella camera di Umberto
Elena Rea	La suora all' ospedale
Memmo Carotenuto	Il degente all' ospedale
Alberto Albani Barbieri	L'amico di Antonia
Pasquale Campagnola
Riccardo Ferri
Lamberto Maggiorani

Director	Vittorio De Sica
Producer	Giuseppe Amato; Vittorio De Sica
Writer	Cesare Zavattini

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