Bicycle Thieves

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1:59

Bicycle Thieves

1948

1h 30m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

99%

Tomatometer

67 Reviews

94%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

Unemployed Antonio Ricci (Lamberto Maggiorani) is elated when he finally finds work hanging posters around war-torn Rome. His wife, Maria (Lianella Carell), sells the family's bed linens to retrieve Antonio's bicycle from the pawnshop so he can take the job. However, disaster strikes when Antonio's bicycle is stolen, and his new job is doomed unless he can find the thief. With the help of his lively son, Bruno (Enzo Staiola), Antonio combs the city, growing increasingly desperate for justice.

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Critics Consensus

An Italian neorealism exemplar, Bicycle Thieves thrives on its non-flashy performances and searing emotion.

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Richard Winnington

Sight & Sound

02/02/2021

Bicycle Thieves is a wholly satisfying film in that de Sica has so simplified and mastered the mechanics of the job that nothing stands between you and his intention.

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Bob Thomas

Associated Press

03/29/2019

This gem tells the story of a frantic search bv a man and his son for a stolen bike which provided for the family's existence. It is told with the usual Italian realism, but with unusual excitement.

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Christy Lemire

ChristyLemire.com

02/27/2018

4/4

Decades later, you can see the influence of Bicycle Thieves everywhere, in a variety of genres and languages.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Nov 11

4/4

It's not hyperbole to flatly state that this is one of the all-time greats in the annals of cinema; on my own list, only Ingmar Bergman's The Seventh Seal ranks higher when it comes to foreign-language films.

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Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

02/04/2023

[Vittorio] De Sica brings an almost documentary style to capture life in front of his lens, but infused it with an eye toward poetic realism.

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Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

08/19/2022

4.5/5

“The Bicycle Thief” paints a bleak picture of a troubling cycle. It takes abject poverty and theft and links them together to form a depressing revolving door.

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James H

Dec 8

Engrossing, and highly moving story. Beautifully shot in post WW2 Rome, with so many fascinating scenes and characters along the way. Beautifully shot. I now feel like I know what 1948 Rome was like.

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Ghalib D.

@Gdhalla Nov 10

Poignant, beautiful.

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Lars N

@movie_douche Oct 20

Beautifully simple and powerful because of it.

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Steve B

Jun 10

This review has spoilers not that it can make this experience any worse. Let’s be honest. It is just a depressing film made after Italy lost the war. The sort of film that offers nothing but constant frustration. From the moment the guy gets his bike stolen and nobody is willing to help him recover it to the end when he tries to steal a bike and all of a sudden the whole of Italy is ready to help stop him. The end. Good luck finding some pleasure from this film.

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Stephen C

@bob25009 Jun 7

Success in 1.5 hours!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Christian L

Jan 27

Such a simple story that is incredibly moving. Heart breaking.

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Vittorio De Sica

Director

Lamberto Maggiorani

Antonio Ricci

Lianella Carell

Maria

Enzo Staiola

Bruno

Elena Altieri

The charitable Lady

Vittorio Antonucci

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Bicycle Thieves: Trailer 1

1:59

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Synopsis

Unemployed Antonio Ricci (Lamberto Maggiorani) is elated when he finally finds work hanging posters around war-torn Rome. His wife, Maria (Lianella Carell), sells the family's bed linens to retrieve Antonio's bicycle from the pawnshop so he can take the job. However, disaster strikes when Antonio's bicycle is stolen, and his new job is doomed unless he can find the thief. With the help of his lively son, Bruno (Enzo Staiola), Antonio combs the city, growing increasingly desperate for justice.

Director: Vittorio De Sica
Producer: Vittorio De Sica
Screenwriter: Luigi Bartolini, Cesar Zavattini, Suso Cecchi d'Amico
Production Co: Produzioni De Sica
Genre: Drama
Original Language: Italian
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 24, 1948, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 29, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $332.9K
Runtime: 1h 30m
Sound Mix: Mono
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.37:1)

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