Enzo Staiola, Gino Saltamerenda, Lamberto Maggiorani

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

Flixster Users

94% liked it

7,743 ratings

Critics

95% liked it

40 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 30 min.

Directed by: Vittorio De Sica

Release Date: December 13, 1949

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DVD Release Date: December 8, 1998

Stats: 1,769 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (1,769)


  • September 30, 2009
    Beautifully shot, with non-actors and a simple story. This is Neorealism at its best, a movement that today's cinema needs to remember!
    The relationship between father and son and the sheer desperation in this film really capture the essence of how tough times were back in post...( read more)-war Italy. One of the greatest films ever made!
  • July 22, 2009
    Dark, vexing & pessimistic. Vittorio De Sica's masterpiece is anything but uplifting. It's one of those rare films that simultaneously fascinate and dishearten. I loved it but, at the same time, it made me want to slit my wrists.
  • March 21, 2009
    "The Bicycle Thief", considered one of the building blocks of the Italian neorealism movement, is remarkably simple for a film that's resonated for decades. The film, like others in it's genre, deals with your typical post-war working class citizens, often in stark contrast with ...( read more)the rich (here, De Sica's protagonist makes a living by plastering posters of celebrities on walls). What makes "The Bicycle Thief" so unique and tragic, however, is how heartbreakingly truthful it is. Who can't identify with a father unable to please his son with larger portions at the dinner table? As much as we might want to consider "The Bicycle Thief" a time capsule from a world completely detached from our own, consider our American class boundaries - the top 1% of the country accumulates more wealth than the bottom 50%.

    Ricci (Lamberto Maggiorani) is one of many poverty stricken Italian's that has to wait tirelessly in lines looking for work. Finally, an opportunity comes - a job that requires a bicycle. Although Ricci has already pawned his bicycle, he lies and accepts the gig. This, afterall, could be his last chance to work for quite awhile. He comes home to his wife, Maria (Lianella Carell), and tells her of the opportunity. The couple decide to sell their linens in order to purchase the bicycle back. Shortly thereafter, Ricci's bicycle is stolen in crowded Rome while he is plastering a poster on a wall. The rest of the film follows Ricci and his young son, Bruno (Enzo Staiola), as they wonder hopelessly through the streets in an effort to find Ricci's bicycle.

    Later on, Ricci and Bruno do catch up with the thief - however he retreats to a brothel, and eventually has dozens of accomplices calling Ricci a liar. Although Ricci is able to get an officer's attention, justice is hopeless as Ricci was the only witness. The tragic end of the film is Ricci's temptation to steal a bicycle of his own - continuing the circle of poverty and theft.

    De Sica's cast consists of real people rather than trained actors, and therefore it's environment seems much richer and authentic. Maggiorani, in particular, is handsome but has a face that looks exhausted and worn. Ricci is a hopeless guy, and we never get to know him all that well (he represents a larger whole rather than an individual), but Maggiorani is so accessible that we completely sympathize with Ricci.

    "The Bicycle Thief" is very minimalist and direct, but it's as engrossing as anything you'll ever see. I loved the film for it's authenticity and cinematography (it transports you directly into Rome), and it's ending has lingered with me weeks after i've seen it. A perfect movie.
  • September 18, 2008
    The most beautiful movie of Italian neorealism manages to be deeply tragic and moving without being grotesque or manipulative like its Italian rip-offs like "Life is beautiful" or "Cinema Paradiso".

    *Review coming soon*
  • September 5, 2008
    A simple story. But one I enjoyed watching very much. Recommended.
  • November 10, 2009
    again,here's some controversy:i don't like this film.the problem with THE BICYCLE THIEF is,it is too real.what?too real? yeah,for many,this is considered as the main power of this movie,its biggest praise. But me,well,i don't like it when films become too real.for me,movie exist ...( read more)to create something that cannot be capture in real life,not create something real..so,sorry,Vittoria de Sicca..
  • November 3, 2009
    A classic of Italian Neo-Realism, better known as "boredom." Actually a great movie, but I don't see why it's so devastating. It seems like the guy's luck could change the next day. After all (SPOILER ALERT) he doesn't die or anything.
  • October 28, 2009
    Brilliant, simple film by Vittorio De Sica. I was amazed how involved you get from the first frame on. I love the fact that the director used non actors in the roles and it made it just as involving. It takes real talent to bring out the amount of suspense from simple situations ...( read more)and the ending is crushing. Beautiful cinematography.
  • October 23, 2009
    I love the simplicity, the realistic story, the irony, the acting.Definitely a marvel!
  • October 21, 2009
    Will be watching next week

Critic Reviews


January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

The Bicycle Thief is so well-entrenched as an official masterpiece that it is a little startling to visit it again after many years and realize that it is still alive and has strength and freshness. full review

View more Ladri di Biciclette (The Bicycle Thief) (Bicycle Thieves) reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


  • nadataufik
    October 22, 2007
    Lamberto Maggiorani is the best actor back in 1949 to act how the father teached their children to live being honest persons. Even though this movie shows how difficult their living on that time.

    How hard to get a simple thing called "Bicycle", and boom that's gone.. Love the story, love the actor and love the sets on this movie. Salute for Vittorio De Sica, the good idea and ending with the good scenes of film.
  • rrpower
    May 13, 2007
    If I could, I would have sex with this movie. Wild, wild sex.

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