Where to watch Bicycle Thieves online

Storyline

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.

Released

1948-07-21
Revenue

$450,159
Budget

$133,000
Runtime

1hr 29m
Genre

Drama
Status

Released
Language

Italiano
8.3
Production

Produzioni De Sica

Crew

Vittorio De Sica

Director

Cesare Zavattini

Screenplay

Vittorio De Sica

Producer

Keywords:

rome, italy italian society riding a bicycle search poster thief stolen bicycle madame unemployment realism neo realism italian neo realism

Stream and watch Bicycle Thieves

similar movies

A Bronx Tale

Matar

Kuhle Wampe or Who Owns the World?

Mr. & Mrs. Smith

Roman Holiday

M

Umberto D.

Paracelsus

Truth and Justice

Paradise Now

Anatomy of a Murder

Gladiator

Italian for Beginners

Breaking the Waves

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

Summer in Berlin

Tough Enough

La Dolce Vita

My Own Private Idaho

Arrival

Cast

Lamberto Maggiorani

Antonio

Enzo Staiola

Bruno

Lianella Carell

Maria

Gino Saltamerenda

Baiocco

Vittorio Antonucci

Alfredo Catelli, The Thief

Giulio Chiari

The Beggar

Elena Altieri

The Charitable Lady

Carlo Jachino

A Beggar

Michele Sakara

Secretary of the Charity Organization

Emma Druetti

Eolo Capritti

Carabiniere (uncredited)

Fausto Guerzoni

Amateur Actor (uncredited)

Giulio Battiferri

Citizen Who Protects the Real Thief (uncredited)

Sergio Leone

A Seminary Student (uncredited)

Mario Meniconi

Meniconi, the Street Sweeper (uncredited)

Checco Rissone

Guard in Piazza Vittorio (uncredited)

Peppino Spadaro

Police Officer (uncredited)

Nando Bruno

(uncredited)

Memmo Carotenuto

(uncredited)

Umberto Spadaro

(uncredited)

Piero Heliczer

A Young Boy (uncredited)

Massimo Randisi

Rich Kid in Restaurant (uncredited)

Videos and Photos

Movie Reviews

Reviews for Bicycle Thieves

A Review by barrymost 7

Written by barrymost on 2020-08-06

When in Rome... keep an eye on your bicycle! Or else it might be stolen and you'll find yourself fruitlessly searching the streets of Italy,... read more

A Review by Geronimo1967 7

Written by Geronimo1967 on 2022-07-09

In post war Rome, money is very tight for "Antonio" (Lamberto Maggiorani) so when he gets a chance to earn some extra cash, he grabs the opp... read more

In post war Rome, money is very tight for "Antonio" (Lamberto Maggiorani) so when he gets a chance to earn some extra cash, he grabs the opportunity. Snag is, he needs his bike to do the work and someone has just pinched it. Together with his young son "Bruno" (a superb Enzo Staiola) he sets out on the near impossible task of tracking the thing down! What ensues are a series of escapades as the father and son team encounter a range of equally war ravaged citizens - some more helpful than others - on their mini-quest. It's an interesting study on humanity this, centred around something so apparently pedestrian as losing a bike, but the cascading impact of that event on their lives and their relationship as well as with the profound effects on their livelihood and self respect are expertly laid out by De Rica, who draws us gradually into their series of adventures. The simplicity of the story also engenders an opportunity to look at the poverty endured by many sections of the citizenry (those who sit through the mass so they can be rewarded with a bowl of soup rather than worrying about any redemption of their soul, for example). The performance from the young Staiola is excellent. He plays the role of the young boy with considerable natural skill - his character has no real idea of why this bike is so important, nor of why it's loss is causing his father's behaviour to vacillate - but like a loyal puppy, he continues to help out, even saving the day at one stage. The settings in this ancient city add considerably to the sense of despair - ruins (old and new) - and at times they make you wonder of life here has really moved on so much from Roman times. The pace of the film is very well measured, the script is not devoid of a bit humour, even joy, now and again and the momentum builds steadily to a conclusion that is remarkably poignant and that left me with a smile on my face. Question is though, does he find his bike???

A Review by JN2012 7

Written by JN2012 on 2023-10-22

A heartwarming yet surprisingly bleak masterpiece of hope and despair.... read more

Read Full Review (The thoughts and opinions expressed here are solely those of the reviewer.)

A Review by barrymost

When in Rome... keep an eye on your bicycle! Or else it might be stolen and you'll find yourself fruitlessly searching the streets of Italy, as the father and son do in this classic Italian film. Lamberto Maggiorani, as the desperate, out ...