Venice Exhibition: the program of the Classics

The film recounts the daily difficulties and small humiliations of Umberto D., a former ministerial official in Rome, and now with too little a pension: the soup kitchen, the pawnshop, the sale of books, friends who withdraw , the landlady who sublets her room. Only the maid Maria is affectionate, and her main company is that of the little dog Flaik. Maria, also alone, confides in him that she is pregnant and that the two in love with her refuse any responsibility. Feverish, Umberto is admitted to the hospital, where he tries to stay as long as possible to save on the rent. Back home, he finds renovation work in progress in view of the mistress's wedding. He looks for the dog and Maria, in tears because she has been abandoned by the two soldiers, warns him that Flaik has escaped after the mistress had deliberately left the door open. The man goes to the kennel where he finds it just in time to avoid its suppression. Around the city, he tries to beg, but his dignity prevents him from doing so. Determined to commit suicide, with Flaik in his arms, he passes a level crossing as the train approaches. The terrified dog runs away. The train passes while Umberto runs after it. The two meet again and we see them walking away playing in a driveway, while a crowd of children run towards the camera.