http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film/direct-chair/desica.htm
Italy 1952

"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."

Poster

Theatrical Release: January 20th, 1952 - Italy

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Recommended Books on Italian Cinema (CLICK COVERS or TITLES for more information)

DVD Review: Criterion Collection - Region 1 - NTSC

DVD Box Cover

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Distribution Criterion Collection  Spine # 201
Region 1 - NTSC

(click titles for DVDBeaver reviews)

This edition (without any extras) is also available in The Essential Art House - 50 Years of Janus Films - a 50-disc celebration of international films collected under the auspices of the groundbreaking theatrical distributor. It contains Alexander Nevsky (1938), Ashes And Diamonds (1958), L'avventura (1960), Ballad Of A Soldier (1959), Beauty And The Beast (1946), Black Orpheus (1959), Brief Encounter (1945), The Fallen Idol (1948), Fires On The Plain (1959), Fists In The Pocket (1965), Floating Weeds (1959), Forbidden Games (1952), The 400 Blows (1959), Grand Illusion (1937), Häxan (1922), Ikiru (1952), The Importance Of Being Earnest (1952), Ivan The Terrible, Part II (1958), Le Jour Se Lève (1939), Jules And Jim (1962), Kind Hearts And Coronets (1949), Knife In The Water (1962), The Lady Vanishes (1938), The Life And Death Of Colonel Blimp (1943), Loves Of A Blonde (1965), M (1931), M. Hulot's Holiday (1953), Miss Julie (1951), Pandora's Box (1929), Pépé Le Moko (1937), Il Posto (1961), Pygmalion (1938), Rashomon (1950), Richard III (1955), The Rules Of The Game (1939), Seven Samurai (1954), The Seventh Seal (1957), The Spirit Of The Beehive (1973), La Strada (1954), Summertime (1955), The Third Man (1949), The 39 Steps (1935), Ugetsu (1953), Umberto D. (1952), The Virgin Spring (1960), Viridiana (1961), The Wages Of Fear (1953), The White Sheik (1952), Wild Strawberries (1957), Three Documentaries By Saul J. Turell plus the hardcover, full color 240-page book.

Runtime 1:29:00  
Video 1.37:1.00 Original Aspect Ratio
Average Bitrate: 6.52 mb/s
NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s
Bitrate:

Audio Italian (Dolby Digital 1.0 Mono)
Subtitles English, none
Features Release Information:
Studio: Home Vision Entertainment
 

Aspect Ratio:
Full Screen (Standard) - 1.37:1


DVD Release Date: July 22, 2003
Keep Case
Chapters: 16

Edition Details:
• New high-definition transfer from restored elements with new and improved subtitle translation
• "This is Life: Vittorio De Sica," a 54:15 Italian television documentary
• Interview with actress Maria Pia Casilio (12:03)
• New essay by critic Stuart Klawans and reprinted recollections on the film by De Sica (4 pages)
• Writings of Umberto D. by Umberto Eco, Luisa Alessandri, and Carlo Battisti

Comments:
Well, I seem to be overwhelmed each time I review a Criterion DVD... and this will be no exception. Lets start with the bad: some slight damage is visible. Now, the good: everything else about this DVD. You can see from the scans below the sharpness, detail and wonderful contrast. The sound is also exceptional from what I have heard so far. Great Extras on director De Sica. This is a definite candidate for our 'Essentials DVD' listing. I can hardly believe the sharpness of this DVD considering the film is over 50 years old. Magnificent. As good a DVD as I have seen all year.  out of

Gary W. Tooze





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DVD Box Cover

CLICK to order from:

Distribution Criterion Collection  Spine # 201
Region 1 - NTSC

(click titles for DVDBeaver reviews)

This edition (without any extras) is also available in The Essential Art House - 50 Years of Janus Films - a 50-disc celebration of international films collected under the auspices of the groundbreaking theatrical distributor. It contains Alexander Nevsky (1938), Ashes And Diamonds (1958), L'avventura (1960), Ballad Of A Soldier (1959), Beauty And The Beast (1946), Black Orpheus (1959), Brief Encounter (1945), The Fallen Idol (1948), Fires On The Plain (1959), Fists In The Pocket (1965), Floating Weeds (1959), Forbidden Games (1952), The 400 Blows (1959), Grand Illusion (1937), Häxan (1922), Ikiru (1952), The Importance Of Being Earnest (1952), Ivan The Terrible, Part II (1958), Le Jour Se Lève (1939), Jules And Jim (1962), Kind Hearts And Coronets (1949), Knife In The Water (1962), The Lady Vanishes (1938), The Life And Death Of Colonel Blimp (1943), Loves Of A Blonde (1965), M (1931), M. Hulot's Holiday (1953), Miss Julie (1951), Pandora's Box (1929), Pépé Le Moko (1937), Il Posto (1961), Pygmalion (1938), Rashomon (1950), Richard III (1955), The Rules Of The Game (1939), Seven Samurai (1954), The Seventh Seal (1957), The Spirit Of The Beehive (1973), La Strada (1954), Summertime (1955), The Third Man (1949), The 39 Steps (1935), Ugetsu (1953), Umberto D. (1952), The Virgin Spring (1960), Viridiana (1961), The Wages Of Fear (1953), The White Sheik (1952), Wild Strawberries (1957), Three Documentaries By Saul J. Turell plus the hardcover, full color 240-page book.




 

 


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