IMDb > Ladri di biciclette (1948)
Ladri di biciclette
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

Ladri di biciclette (1948) More at IMDbPro »

Videos (see all 3 NEW)
Ladri di biciclette (1948) -- A man and his son search for a stolen bicycle vital for his job.
Ladri di biciclette (1948) -- ZuGuide.com - Trailer (Flash)
Ladri di biciclette (1948) -- MattTrailer.com - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 2% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Vittorio De Sica
Writers:
Luigi Bartolini (novel)
Cesare Zavattini (writer) ...
more
Contact:
View company contact information for The Bicycle Thief on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
13 December 1949 (USA) more
Genre:
Crime | Drama more
Plot:
A man and his son search for a stolen bicycle vital for his job. full summary | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
more
Awards:
Nominated for Oscar. Another 16 wins more
NewsDesk:
(22 articles)
Featured Article: Classic Italian Film
 (From Screenrush. 9 November 2009, 4:45 PM, PST)

But Will Antichrist Play in Panchkula?
 (From Movieline. 6 November 2009, 9:30 AM, PST)

User Comments:
Quiet Desperation---Italian Style. more (138 total)

Cast

  (Complete credited cast)
Lamberto Maggiorani ... Antonio Ricci
Enzo Staiola ... Bruno Ricci
Lianella Carell ... Maria Ricci
Gino Saltamerenda ... Baiocco
Vittorio Antonucci ... The Thief
Giulio Chiari ... The Beggar
Elena Altieri ... The Charitable Lady
Carlo Jachino ... A Beggar
Michele Sakara ... Secretary of the Charity Organization
Emma Druetti
Fausto Guerzoni ... Amateur Actor
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
Bicycle Thieves (UK)
The Bicycle Thief (USA)
The Bicycle Thieves (UK)
more
Runtime:
93 min | Spain:80 min (DVD edition)
Country:
Italy
Language:
Italian
Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The film is frequently on critics' and directors' lists of the best films ever made. It was given an Academy Honorary Award in 1950, and, just four years after its release, was deemed the greatest film of all time by the magazine Sight & Sound's poll of filmmakers and critics in 1952. The film placed sixth as the greatest ever made in the latest directors poll, conducted in 2002. more
Quotes:
Antonio Ricci: "Why should I kill myself worrying when I'll end up just as dead?" more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in La fête à Henriette (1952) more

FAQ

A Note Regarding Spoilers
Is "Ladri di biciclette" in English?
I see this film described as an example of Italian "neorealism". What is neorealism?
more
71 out of 79 people found the following comment useful.
Quiet Desperation---Italian Style., 2 May 2003
Author: tfrizzell from United States

In post-World War II Italy poverty is a dire reality for a large portion of the population. Work is scarce and the opportunities for employment are few and far between. "Ladri Di Biciclette" (translated "The Bicycle Thief") is quietly one of the finest films ever produced. It follows one economically distraught man (Lamberto Maggiorani) who is heading down a desperate path fast. Things look up when he gets a job putting posters on walls in town, but he must sell what few meager possessions he and his family have to buy a bicycle to uphold his end of the business bargain. Naturally tragedy strikes immediately as the title character shows up the very first day Maggiorani is on the job. The police are little help, believing the bicycle is not as important as it really is. Thus Maggiorani and young son Enzo Staiola take it upon themselves to look all over town to try and find the bicycle and bring the thief to justice. "The Bicycle Thief" was originally released in 1948 and won an Honorary Academy Award for Best Foreign Language film the following year (the movie was not released in the U.S. until 1949). It is still a production that strikes deep even today. The lengths and desperate measures that some go through is very evident here. Director Vittorio De Sica crafts a film that is much deeper than it appears on the surface. It examines the human condition and questions society, family, law enforcement, alliances and mental anguish perfectly. "The Bicycle Thief" is an excellent production that has aged well and allows the viewer to think about many subjects that go beyond ordinary cinematic depths. 5 stars out of 5.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (138 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Ladri di biciclette (1948)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
no subtitles = amazing herobella
Am I the only person that didn't think it was too great? AnUnknownPleasure
Why, why, why???? delto33
Meaning Of 'Bicycle Thieves' Mr_Royalewithcheese
the sheets??? amd307
Must be seen within context mctoom
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Roma, città aperta L'albero degli zoccoli Rocco e i suoi fratelli Ossessione My Own Private Idaho
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb top 250 movies IMDb Crime section
IMDb Italy section Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.