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Bicycle Thieves Details

1948 DVD Certificate U.gif
  • Rated:
  • 80
  • from 5034 members

Vittorio De Sica's remarkable 1947 drama of desperation and survival in Italy's devastating post-war depression earned a special Oscar for its affecting power. Shot in the streets and alleys of Rome, De Sica uses the real-life environment of contemporary life to frame his moving drama of a desperate father whose new job .. Read more

Starring Lamberto Maggiorani, Enzo Staiola, Lianella Carell
Director Vittorio De Sica
Genres Drama, World Cinema

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Bicycle Thieves

Vittorio De Sica's remarkable 1947 drama of desperation and survival in Italy's devastating post-war depression earned a special Oscar for its affecting power. Shot in the streets and alleys of Rome, De Sica uses the real-life environment of contemporary life to frame his moving drama of a desperate father whose new job delivering cinema posters is threatened when a street thief steals his bicycle. Too poor to buy another, he and his son take to the streets in an impossible search for his bike. Cast with nonactors and filled with the real street life of Rome, this landmark film helped define the Italian neorealist approach with its mix of real life details, poetic imagery, and warm sentimentality..

Starring Lamberto Maggiorani, Enzo Staiola, Lianella Carell
Director Vittorio De Sica
Studio ARROW FILMS
Run time DVD: 1 hr 34 mins
Certificate DVD Certificate U.gif
Genres Drama, World Cinema
Language Italian
Subtitles English
Released DVD: 20 Feb 2006
Production year: 1948
Format DVD
  • Critics' reviews (4) of Bicycle Thieves

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  • Maybe the best American film not to get any Oscar credit this year, Kelly Reichardt’s follow-up to Old Joy is a simple, poignant movie that will resonate as tough economic times cut deeper. read more »

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    • Tom Charity, 
    • LOVEFiLM
  • Most helpful member's review of Bicycle Thieves

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  • 33 out of 33 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    If you haven't seen this classic, get it!!

    This is a classic movie that I remember seeing 30 years ago with my grandfather, and every 10 years try to see it again. It is one which the images and 'simple' story have stayed with me over many years. Over half a century later, this movie is still powerful, and well worth getting if you have not seen it.

    Vittorio De Sica has directed this movie depicting Italy's post WWII depression. Shot in the streets of Rome, using contemporary life of the time, the 'simple' story is of a father whose new job delivering cinema posters is threatened when a street thief steals his bicycle. The father is too poor to buy another bicycle, and he and his son scour the street trying to find another bicycle. The movie has power in in its filming of 'everyday' life and people, and is one of my all favorite movies. The images will stay with you for years later.

      • Bruce from Oxford
  • Most recent members' review of Bicycle Thieves

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  • 2 out of 2 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 4 stars [Highly rated reviewer]

    Classic that delivers

    No tourist attractions in this film, a real down at heel look at post war Rome with heartbreaking central story and unforgettable final scene. Everything you have read about.

      • Oldbloke from Sidmouth
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Rating breakdown

5,034 Member ratings
  • 100
1,046
  • 90
633
  • 80
1,280
  • 70
760
  • 60
611
  • 50
286
  • 40
205
  • 30
99
  • 20
83
  • 10
31

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    • Vittorio De Sica's remarkable 1947 drama of desperation and survival in Italy's devastating post-war depression earned a special Oscar for its affecting power. Shot in the streets and alleys of Rome, ...