IMDb > Ladri di biciclette (1948)
Ladri di biciclette
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Ladri di biciclette (1948) More at IMDbPro »

Videos (see all 3)
Ladri di biciclette (1948) -- A man and his son search for a stolen bicycle vital for his job.
Ladri di biciclette (1948) -- MattTrailer.com - Trailer (Flash)

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Overview

User Rating:
MOVIEmeter: ?
No change in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
Luigi Bartolini (novel)
Cesare Zavattini (writer) ...
more
Contact:
View company contact information for Bicycle Thieves on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
13 December 1949 (USA) more
Genre:
Plot:
A man and his son search for a stolen bicycle vital for his job. full summary | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
Nominated for Oscar. Another 16 wins more
NewsDesk:
(30 articles)
Director John Hillcoat Interview The Road
 (From Collider.com. 21 November 2009, 9:02 PM, PST)

'New Moon' Director Chris Weitz Has 'Maybe One More Film' Left
 (From MTV Movies Blog. 19 November 2009, 10:00 AM, PST)

User Comments:

Cast

  (Complete credited cast)
Lamberto Maggiorani ... Antonio Ricci
Enzo Staiola ... Bruno Ricci
Lianella Carell ... Maria Ricci
Gino Saltamerenda ... Baiocco
Vittorio Antonucci ... The Thief
Giulio Chiari ... The Beggar
Elena Altieri ... The Charitable Lady
Carlo Jachino ... A Beggar
Michele Sakara ... Secretary of the Charity Organization
Emma Druetti
Fausto Guerzoni ... Amateur Actor
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
Bicycle Thieves (UK) (USA)
The Bicycle Thief (USA)
The Bicycle Thieves (UK)
more
Runtime:
93 min | Spain:80 min (DVD edition)
Country:
Language:
Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 more
Sound Mix:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
There's a scene later in the movie where Bruno is nearly run over twice while crossing the street. This was absolutely unrehearsed - it was filmed on location and the two cars happened to pass by at that time. more
Quotes:
Antonio Ricci: I've been cursed my whole life. more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in Louis 19, le roi des ondes (1994) more

FAQ

A Note Regarding Spoilers
I see this film described as an example of Italian "neorealism". What is neorealism?
Is this movie based on a novel?
more
20 out of 23 people found the following comment useful.
Real, 4 October 2007
Author: AdnanZ

Even if you are merely a moderate fan of cinema you will have at least heard of this film. It has been hailed as a masterpiece for just short of sixty years and has been routinely studied in film classes everywhere. In a sense, it is one of the recognized masterpieces of cinema. And yet, this is not a film in which to pick up obviously great shots like the 360 degree shot in the hotel room in "Vertigo" or cuts as good as the jump cut in "2001: A Space Odyssey" with which Kubrick transports you from prehistoric ages to an age in which space travel is common in barely a second. This is a subtle, realistic film, and though it looks terrific, it is not flashy. It exists not to excel technically or tell the story of humanity, but simply to tell a story. A simple story which may say more about human nature than any other film in existence.

"Bicycle Thieves" is about a man in economically depressed post-World War II Italy who is lucky enough to find a job which requires him to use a bicycle as transportation while putting up posters around the city. It's relatively well-paying and almost too good to believe for his family. While on the job his bicycle is stolen, and the rest of the movie tells the story of him and his son attempting to recover the bicycle.

In the magnificent final scene Antonio Ricci (the lead character) finds himself tempted to steal a bicycle in order to be able to perform his job. Here we have our 'hero' thinking about doing to someone else what was done to him. There is no black and white in the world, no good and evil. This film does a great job of stating that fact without moralizing and preaching like so many modern films do. This film does not insult your intelligence and I pity those who wanted a third act, or those who wanted more explanation. This film is beautiful and brilliant because it is completely understated. It's realistic. We feel Ricci's desperation and are transported into 1940's Rome as he makes his way through the city's crowded streets, alleyways, churches and brothels.

I have no idea how much this film cost to make, but I would be surprised if it was made on a low budget. The location shooting throughout the city is impressive, as is the (again) understated cinematography. De Sica cast non-actors in the lead roles, and I find their performances to be among the most realistic and effective I've ever seen. Alessandro Cigognini's score is a highlight of the film, and I consider the melancholy main theme one of the greatest musical cues I've heard in any film.

I enjoy theatricality as much as anyone and I certainly don't dislike Hollywood gloss, but "Bicycle Thieves" serves as a jarring reminder of how great a medium film can be. The jarring effect the film had on audiences upon its release (in particular American audiences) is easy to understand viewing the film in 2007 and it escapes my comprehension how anyone can't be completely captivated and enthralled by this masterwork.

****/4

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Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Ladri di biciclette (1948)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
spoiler warning...the theft autopro50
no subtitles = amazing herobella
Am I the only person that didn't think it was too great? AnUnknownPleasure
Why, why, why???? delto33
Meaning Of 'Bicycle Thieves' Mr_Royalewithcheese
the sheets??? amd307
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