Bicycle Thieves

1948 89 min ★ 8.2 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.

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Cast

Lamberto Maggiorani

Antonio

Enzo Staiola

Bruno

Lianella Carell

Maria

Gino Saltamerenda

Baiocco

Vittorio Antonucci

Alfredo Catelli, The Thief

Giulio Chiari

The Beggar

Elena Altieri

The Charitable Lady

Carlo Jachino

A Beggar

Michele Sakara

Secretary of the Charity Organization

Emma Druetti

Details

Director

Vittorio De Sica

Screenplay

Cesare Zavattini

Tagline

"The Prize Picture They Want to Censor!"

Status

Released

Original Language

IT

Budget

$133,000

Revenue

$450,159

Production

Produzioni De Sica

Reviews

B

barrymost

August 6, 2020

★ 7/10

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 ...

C

CinemaSerf

July 9, 2022

★ 7/10

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 fa...

J

James

October 22, 2023

★ 7/10

A heartwarming yet surprisingly bleak masterpiece of hope and despair.