Bicycle Thieves
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Bicycle Thieves is a 1948 drama film directed by Vittorio De Sica, starring Lamberto Maggiorani, Enzo Staiola, Lianella Carell. It drew a wide audience and shaped its genre.
Plot
In post-World War II Rome, Antonio Ricci desperately needs work to support his wife Maria, his son Bruno and his small baby. He is offered a job posting advertising bills but tells Maria he cannot accept because the job requires a bicycle. Maria resolutely strips the bed of her dowry bedsheets—prized possessions for a poor family—and takes them to the pawn shop, where they bring enough to redeem Antonio's bicycle. On his first day of work, Antonio is at the top of a ladder when a young man steals his bicycle. Antonio runs after him but is thrown off the trail by the thief's confederates.
Production
Written by Cesare Zavattini and Adolfo Franci, the film was produced by Produzioni De Sica. Alessandro Cicognini composed the score. Carlo Montuori handled the cinematography. The film runs 89 minutes. The crew and editing refined every shot.
Reception
On a budget of $133,000, Bicycle Thieves grossed $450,159 worldwide at the box office. A critic consensus praised its screenplay and score.
Legacy
Its legacy endures through a remake, a sequel and a lasting franchise; later cinema cites its influence and symbolism.
See also
References
- "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time". topfilms100. Retrieved 30 June 2026.
- Ebert, Roger. The Great Movies. Broadway Books.
This article incorporates text from Wikipedia, available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License.