Bicycle Thieves

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Ghalib D. Poignant, beautiful. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 11/10/25 Full Review Lars N Beautifully simple and powerful because of it. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 10/21/25 Full Review Steve B 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. Rated 1.5/5 Stars •  Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 09/25/25 Full Review Stephen C Success in 1.5 hours!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/07/25 Full Review Christian L Such a simple story that is incredibly moving. Heart breaking. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/27/25 Full Review Diego M Bicycle Thieves (or Ladri di biciclette), directed by Vittorio De Sica, is a stark portrayal of post-war Italy’s hardships. The story follows Antonio Ricci, a man who, after securing a job that requires a bicycle, is forced to rely on his wife’s sacrifice of selling their bedsheets to buy one. When his bike is stolen on the job, Antonio and his young son, Bruno, desperately search for it, knowing that without it, Antonio will lose his livelihood. The film builds on Antonio’s escalating desperation, culminating in a moment where he steals a bicycle himself, witnessed by Bruno, leading to a profound emotional crisis. The film's static camerawork enhances the realism of the story, focusing on the characters' emotional journeys rather than flashy techniques. Notable is a scene where Bruno witnesses his father’s crime. The camera movement, paired with the actor’s portrayal, draws the audience into Bruno’s confusion and sorrow, creating a deep sense of empathy. As a key example of Italian neorealism, the film depicts the harsh reality of poverty, with a focus on social issues such as hunger and unemployment. The performances of the non-professional actors, including Lamberto Maggiorani as Antonio and Enzo Staiola as Bruno, are raw and authentic. Their powerful portrayal of the Ricci family’s plight draws viewers into their world. De Sica skillfully builds tension early on with a “fake-out” involving the bike, tricking the audience into thinking it will be stolen before it actually is, which heightens the emotional impact of the theft. As Antonio’s desperation grows, he becomes so consumed by finding the bike that he neglects his son, Bruno. Through Bruno’s eyes, the film highlights the brutal realities of poverty and how far a person will go to survive, even if it means compromising their morals. Bicycle Thieves ultimately conveys the idea that in extreme desperation, survival often trumps morality, leaving the audience with a lingering sense of despair and the harsh truth of social inequality. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/03/25 Full Review Read all reviews

Bicycle Thieves

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