I’ve always known the dog as Flag. I don’t know if that’s because of the translation I watched. After my first viewing I was very depressed and I grabbed my dog “Shorty” who I had for 12 years at the time. I held her tight and from that day on I started calling her Flag. She was a little confused at first, but quickly warmed up to it. My dog was a terrier mutt and looked very similar.
how about we talk about “umberto d” in general. is it the prototypical neorealist film?
If I am not mistaken, I think the dog in BOUDU SAVED FROM DROWNING has the same name. The final scene of UMBERTO D from the dog’s POV is absolutely heartbreaking. Any thoughts?
is it the prototypical neorealist film?
It’s the closest thing to Zavattini’s definition of a purely neorealist film: “A film where for 90 minutes there is no cut.”
The translation I saw (The Criterion DVD) it say’s Flike. I remembered it being pronounced Flea-kay, but I haven’t seen it in a while and could be wrong.
That’s weird that you changed your dogs name 12 years in, Mark, but I appreciate you relating a dog story in this topic. Anyway, at the end of the movie Umberto is almost definitely calling out for “Flike” over and over. It doesn’t sound like “Flag” at all to me, but reading about this last night indicated that a lot of people think it’s “Flag”. A VHS release of this may have translated it as “Flag” or something in the subtitles? Not sure.
Hey Bobby, thanks for trying to change the subject of my thread. The answer to your question is no, Open City is. Glad we were able to clear that up.
Edwin, I’m not familiar with Boudo Saved From Drowning. I will definitely look into it. I agree, it’s hard to not feel for Flike and Umberto both throughout the entire movie. The end is heartbreaking, but Flike gives Umberto a reason to live and there’s a tiny bit of hope solace to be found in that, even when you’re feeling as low as Umberto.
Thanks for the info, Mez. Flea-kay makes sense because, stereotypically, that seems to be a sort of common pronunciation in Italian. I only know, like, two words of Italian, though. I know Mohndy, Twhosdy, Tursdy, Wedsdy, Fridy, Sundy, Saterdy!
Oh, whoops – I am familiar with Boudu Saved From Drowning. I’m stupid.
Shotzi
I have noticed some differences in opinion about this dog while sleeplessly Googling last night. I don’t own Umberto D so I can’t really consult the DVD now, but I’m thinking I’ll request it for Christmas or something because I see my future in this movie. Anyway, hot Umberto D(og) topics:
1. What’s the dog’s name?
It’s obviously pronounced Flike, rhyming with “bike”. Some people were claiming the name is Flag, though. Where does that come from? Also, in Italian, the name is spelled “Flaike”? Is this right? What does this name mean, anyway? I" want to understand. Someone explain.
2. What kind of dog is Flike/Flaike/Flag?
It’s a given that he is a terrier, but there seems to be some debate over whether or not he is a Jack Russell or a Fox or perhaps something all together different? A mutt, maybe. I don’t know the answers to these trying questions, but I want to know.
3. How do you teach a dog to beg for money?
That’s got to be the greatest dog trick ever.
I think that’s all I want to know.