Bicycle Thieves

Name: Bicycle Thieves
Director: Vittorio De Sica
Genre: Drama
Released: 1948-07-21
Rating: 8.3

July 21, 1948· 1h 29m

Drama

Directed by

Vittorio De Sica

Cast

Lamberto Maggiorani Enzo Staiola Lianella Carell Gino Saltamerenda Vittorio Antonucci Giulio Chiari +16 more ↓

Cinemagraphs Score8.3

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.

Audience Sentiment

Overall8.3

1 — Hated it5 — Neutral10 — Masterpiece

Critics

8+ Great

6-8 Good

<6 Poor

3 reviews·Last updated 13d ago

Peak Moment

Walking away together

9.3at 1h 26m

Lowest Moment

Meeting the desperate father

7.8at 3m

Biggest Swing

The film builds steadily from its modest opening to reach transcendent heights in the final act, particularly in the morally complex theft sequence and devastating conclusion.

Reviewers appreciated the film's strong pacing and character development throughout, with particular praise for the father-son relationship and natural performances. The sentiment builds consistently toward the morally complex and emotionally devastating finale, which critics universally acclaimed for its powerful irony and humanistic depth.

3 reviews analyzed|Sources: Tmdb