Bicycle Thieves poster

1948·89 min·Released

Bicycle Thieves

“The Prize Picture They Want to Censor!”

Drama

Unemployed Antonio is elated when he finally finds work hanging posters around war-torn Rome. However on his first day, his bicycle—essential to his work—gets stolen. His job is doomed unless he can find the thief. With the help of his son, Antonio combs the city, becoming desperate for justice.

8.2(2,685 votes)

Popularity5

Videos

Bicycle Thieves (1948) Trailer #1

Cast & Crew

Lamberto Maggiorani

Lamberto Maggiorani

Antonio

Enzo Staiola

Enzo Staiola

Bruno

Lianella Carell

Lianella Carell

Maria

Gino Saltamerenda

Gino Saltamerenda

Baiocco

Vittorio Antonucci

Vittorio Antonucci

Alfredo Catelli, The Thief

Giulio Chiari

Giulio Chiari

The Beggar

Elena Altieri

Elena Altieri

The Charitable Lady

Carlo Jachino

Carlo Jachino

A Beggar

Michele Sakara

Michele Sakara

Secretary of the Charity Organization

Emma Druetti

Emma Druetti

Eolo Capritti

Eolo Capritti

Carabiniere (uncredited)

Fausto Guerzoni

Fausto Guerzoni

Amateur Actor (uncredited)

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barrymost

Written on 8/6/2020

When in Rome... keep an eye on your bicycle! Or else it might be stolen and you'll find yourself fruitlessly searching the streets of Italy, as the father and son do in this classic Italian film. Lamberto Maggiorani, as the desperate, out of work father, and Enzo Staiola, as his frustrated young son, play off each other nicely and a nice pace keeps things interesting. It's heralded as one of the greatest movies ever made, but personally I don't quite see why. It's a good story none the less, and it kept my attention. There's a very satisfying dose of irony at the end.

CinemaSerf

Written on 7/9/2022

In post war Rome, money is very tight for "Antonio" (Lamberto Maggiorani) so when he gets a chance to earn some extra cash, he grabs the opportunity. Snag is, he needs his bike to do the work and someone has just pinched it. Together with his young son "Bruno" (a superb Enzo Staiola) he sets out on the near impossible task of tracking the thing down! What ensues are a series of escapades as the father and son team encounter a range of equally war ravaged citizens - some more helpful than others - on their mini-quest. It's an interesting study on humanity this, centred around something so apparently pedestrian as losing a bike, but the cascading impact of that event on their lives and their relationship as well as with the profound effects on their livelihood and self respect are expertly laid out by De Rica, who draws us gradually into their series of adventures. The simplicity of the story also engenders an opportunity to look at the poverty endured by many sections of the citizenry (those who sit through the mass so they can be rewarded with a bowl of soup rather than worrying about any redemption of their soul, for example). The performance from the young Staiola is excellent. He plays the role of the young boy with considerable natural skill - his character has no real idea of why this bike is so important, nor of why it's loss is causing his father's behaviour to vacillate - but like a loyal puppy, he continues to help out, even saving the day at one stage. The settings in this ancient city add considerably to the sense of despair - ruins (old and new) - and at times they make you wonder of life here has really moved on so much from Roman times. The pace of the film is very well measured, the script is not devoid of a bit humour, even joy, now and again and the momentum builds steadily to a conclusion that is remarkably poignant and that left me with a smile on my face. Question is though, does he find his bike???

James

Written on 10/22/2023

A heartwarming yet surprisingly bleak masterpiece of hope and despair.

Media

Bicycle Thieves (1948) Trailer #1

Bicycle Thieves (1948) Trailer #1

Suso Cecchi D'Amico on BICYCLES THIEVES

Suso Cecchi D'Amico on BICYCLES THIEVES

Enzo Staiola on BICYCLE THIEVES

Enzo Staiola on BICYCLE THIEVES