Bicycle Thieves
1 Oscar Nominations·BFI #41
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.
What critics thought
One of the most durably revered films in cinema history, Bicycle Thieves was greeted with near-universal admiration outside Italy — though Italian critics were more hostile, some finding it an unflattering portrait of their country and others objecting to specific craft decisions like the dubbing of its lead. Decades of Sight & Sound polls and sustained critical reassessment have only deepened its reputation, with the film's plainness and emotional directness consistently cited as sources of strength rather than limitation.
“Again the Italians have sent us a brilliant and devastating film in Vittorio De Sica's rueful drama of modern city life, The Bicycle Thief.”
Bosley Crowther·The New York 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.”
Roger Ebert·Chicago Sun-Times
“They bring a grave dignity to De Sica's unblinking view of post-war Italy. The wheel of life turns and grinds people down; the man who was riding high in the morning is brought low by nightfall.”
Bob Graham·San Francisco Chronicle
Genres
Drama
Cast & Crew
DirectorVittorio De Sica
StarringLamberto Maggiorani, Enzo Staiola, Lianella Carell, Gino Saltamerenda, Vittorio Antonucci
ComposerAlessandro Cicognini
Bicycle Thieves
1 Oscar Nominations·BFI #41
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.
What critics thought
One of the most durably revered films in cinema history, Bicycle Thieves was greeted with near-universal admiration outside Italy — though Italian critics were more hostile, some finding it an unflattering portrait of their country and others objecting to specific craft decisions like the dubbing of its lead. Decades of Sight & Sound polls and sustained critical reassessment have only deepened its reputation, with the film's plainness and emotional directness consistently cited as sources of strength rather than limitation.
“Again the Italians have sent us a brilliant and devastating film in Vittorio De Sica's rueful drama of modern city life, The Bicycle Thief.”
Bosley Crowther·The New York 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.”
Roger Ebert·Chicago Sun-Times
“They bring a grave dignity to De Sica's unblinking view of post-war Italy. The wheel of life turns and grinds people down; the man who was riding high in the morning is brought low by nightfall.”
Bob Graham·San Francisco Chronicle
Genres
Drama
Cast & Crew
DirectorVittorio De Sica
StarringLamberto Maggiorani, Enzo Staiola, Lianella Carell, Gino Saltamerenda, Vittorio Antonucci
ComposerAlessandro Cicognini