Bicycle Thieves (1948)
"Ladri di biciclette" (original title)

A man and his son search for a stolen bicycle vital for his job.

Director:

Vittorio De Sica

Writers:

Luigi Bartolini (novel), Cesare Zavattini,

Stars:

Lamberto Maggiorani, Enzo Staiola, Lianella Carell

Top 250 #89 | Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 17 wins.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Lamberto Maggiorani	...	Antonio Ricci
Enzo Staiola	...	Bruno Ricci
Lianella Carell	...	Maria Ricci
Gino Saltamerenda	...	Baiocco
Vittorio Antonucci	...	The Thief
Giulio Chiari	...	The Beggar
Elena Altieri	...	The Charitable Lady
Carlo Jachino	...	A Beggar
Michele Sakara	...	Secretary of the Charity Organization
Emma Druetti
Fausto Guerzoni	...	Amateur Actor

Storyline

Ricci, an unemployed man in the depressed post-WWII economy of Italy, gets at last a good job - for which he needs a bike - hanging up posters. But soon his bicycle is stolen. He and his son walk the streets of Rome, looking for the bicycle. Ricci finally manages to locate the thief but with no proof, he has to abandon his cause. But he and his son know perfectly well that without a bike, Ricci won't be able to keep his job.

---

Plot Keywords:

bicycle | job | thief | poster | search | 

---

Genres:

Crime | Drama

---

Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

Italy

Language:

Italian

Release Date:

13 December 1949 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Bicycle Thief

Filming Locations:

Citta Valmelaina, Via Salaria, Rome, Lazio, Italy

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$11,845 (USA) (2 October 1998)

Gross:

$332,930 (USA) (3 September 1999)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Produzioni De Sica

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min 80 min (DVD edition)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Lead actor Lamberto Maggiorani really did struggle for work after this film was completed.

---

Quotes

The Beggar: I mind my own business, I bother nobody, and what do I get? Trouble.

---

Connections

Referenced in Sodankylä ikuisesti: Valon draama (2010)

User Reviews

Exceptional film which should be honored and treasured

Italian Neorealism has always been one of my favorite film movements, and The Bicycle Thief appears to be one the finest examples of this medium. While people today might not understand the power in the story, one has to understand the nature state of Italy after World War II. The country was in ruins, and finding a good job was difficult. Desperation took over more often than reason, and this leads to the eventual climax of self pity and remorse. Quite a powerful film, for it is the only foreign film I have on my personal Top 25 list.