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Bicycle Thieves Reviews

1948

80
from 7300 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	Gino Salamerenda, Lianella Carell, Lamberto Maggiorani, Enzo Staiola
Director	Vittorio De Sica
Genres	Drama, World Cinema

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Critic's review of Bicycle Thieves
View all critics' reviews (2)
- The epitome of Italian neo-realism, the slight human drama is developed so that it has all the force of King Lear, and both the acting and the backgrounds are vividly compelling.
- 39092
- - Halliwell's Film Guide
  - 02 Mar 2006 at 15:46
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Most helpful member's review of Bicycle Thieves
View all members' reviews (94)
- - 50
  - 1
  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 '... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 88247
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - Bruce
  - Oxford
  - 04 Apr 2005 at 12:57
Most recent members' reviews of Bicycle Thieves
View all members' reviews (94)
- - 0
  - 0
  Sad, sad, sad.
  
  Oh dear. Difficult to ctiticize this movie because in terms of its time and genre it fits the bill. The characters are sensitively portrayed and the economic ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1088572
- - ArthouseAlec
  - 8 reviews
  - 04 Feb 2012 at 09:53
- - 0
  - 2
  non starter
  
  We very much looked forward to this but were disappointed that we could not access the english sub -titles on our copy. We followed directions to no avail. Thus... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1081411
- - Anthony McFarlane
  - sidmouth england
  - 13 Jan 2012 at 16:27
- - 0
  - 13
  A film of its time. Not for me.
  
  I wanted very much to appreciate this classic European film. Sadly I gave up after 10 minutes. Slow and grindingly depressing. You'd have to be in the mood... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1063070
- - MidnightsTail
  - 19 reviews
  - Oxford, England
  - 15 Nov 2011 at 19:33
- - 0
  - 0
  A tale of pride and dignity
  
  Bicycle Thieves is a successful example of the Italian Neorealism, style that dominated Italian cinema during the 40s.
  
  The film naturally depicts the... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1046266
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - LeonHarper
  - 49 reviews
  - At the movies
  - 30 Sep 2011 at 08:38
- - 0
  - 0
  Ladri di biciclette
  
  This film is certainly moving and quite beautiful, but it is rather slow. Worth seeing as a landmark of cinema.
  
  Report this review
- 1040222
- - a customer
  - 13 Sep 2011 at 11:57
- - 3
  - 0
  a landmark of italian neo-realism, and a lars von trier ancestor
  
  bicycle thieves is a regarded a great case study and a highlight of italian neo-realism. heralding arrival of a new aesthetic, the picture was breaking with ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1040042
- - lukasz84
  - 58 reviews
  - 12 Sep 2011 at 22:53
- - 1
  - 0
  A gripping ride
  
  I was totally mesmerised by this film, not knowing what to expect when I added it to my list. It's pretty bare but pitch perfect, the characters so well ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1033264
- - sophym
  - 2 reviews
  - 24 Aug 2011 at 22:07
- - 1
  - 0
  great film, crap subtitles
  
  thats for the film, for the subtitles on this disc its a 1 star effort, whole conversations are letf out, I would estimate that only about 70% of the talking is... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1033197
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - adamlikesthings
  - 10 reviews
  - St. Andrews
  - 24 Aug 2011 at 19:38
- - 1
  - 1
  Lost in translation
  
  A very depressing and sad black and white film, for all it's international acclaim it did nothing for me. I know from experience that Italians have a ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1015875
- - a customer
  - 11 Jul 2011 at 18:01
- - 1
  - 0
  Bicycle Thieves
  
  Very interesting film, although rather sad and depressing but very atmospheric. The subtitles did not affect enjoyment at all but rather added to the atmosphere... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1003900
- - a customer
  - 12 Jun 2011 at 17:20
View all members' reviews (94)

- - 50
  - 1
  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 '... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 88247
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - Bruce
  - Oxford
  - 04 Apr 2005 at 12:57
- - 12
  - 2
  Wish I understood Italian
  
  I think this was probably a great film but only parts of the dialogue, roughly 50%, are subtitled on this edition and it was frustrating not knowing what was ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 429407
- - a customer
  - Reading UK
  - 12 Apr 2007 at 16:12
- - 5
  - 0
  You Need To See This Film
  
  A truly marvellous film. I would recommend it to anybody who is fed up with the Hollywood special effects formula of modern films.Strong storyline, strong ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 449122
- - a customer
  - Manchester England
  - 12 Jun 2007 at 15:28
- - 4
  - 0
  Classic that delivers
  
  A destitute wife pawns her bed linen, in order to recover the bicycle that her husband needs for his new job, flyposting. When the bike is stolen, the man and ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 707027
- - Oldbloke
  - 222 reviews
  - Sidmouth
  - 11 Feb 2009 at 17:57
- - 4
  - 0
  Bicycle Thieves
  
  The unremitting struggle for life- a monumental film capturing post-war Italy. Tremendous father/mother/son interplay. Let's make more films like this again... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 873968
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - Bertolt
  - 5 reviews
  - Glasgow
  - 18 Mar 2010 at 22:03
- - 4
  - 2
  mmm.....
  
  I was enjoying this film very much until the end......one of those funny ending! I expected one ending as the film progressed, but got one completely different... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 216637
- - a customer
  - Cornwall, England
  - 09 Mar 2006 at 18:30
- - 3
  - 0
  a landmark of italian neo-realism, and a lars von trier ancestor
  
  bicycle thieves is a regarded a great case study and a highlight of italian neo-realism. heralding arrival of a new aesthetic, the picture was breaking with ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1040042
- - lukasz84
  - 58 reviews
  - 12 Sep 2011 at 22:53
- - 2
  - 0
  *** BEST CINEMA I NEVER SEE AGAIN***
  
  The film revolves around a simple plot, superbly executed.
  
  Unemployed, middle-aged Ricci gets a job putting up billboard posters in the centre of ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 897681
- - a customer
  - Poole
  - 10 Jun 2010 at 14:25
- - 2
  - 0
  The Bicycle Theives
  
  Wonderful film making in every way! It seems like this style might well have influenced Francis Ford Coppla and the music at one point is very similar to that ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 946156
- - Mooke
  - 11 reviews
  - mcr
  - 11 Dec 2010 at 17:18
- - 1
  - 0
  Classic
  
  How a law abiding , scrupulous , family man can be reduced to being a petty criminal after so much bad luck. Excellent investigation into the human condition.
  
  Report this review
- 844756
- - a customer
  - UK
  - 03 Jan 2010 at 19:18

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Buy from Amazon.co.uk

- - Buy
- Bicycle Thieves - Blu-ray
  
  The recipient of international acclaim, Vittorio de Sica's Italian Neorealist masterwork, THE BICYCLE THIEF, is a treasure of world cinema. After nearly two years of unemployment, Antonio (Lamberto Maggiorani) finally finds work posting bills. But he needs a bicycle to do the job. Unfortunately, he ...

- - Buy
- 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 ...