Bicycle Thieves

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1:59

Bicycle Thieves

1948

1h 30m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

99%

Tomatometer

67 Reviews

94%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

Unemployed Antonio Ricci (Lamberto Maggiorani) is elated when he finally finds work hanging posters around war-torn Rome. His wife, Maria (Lianella Carell), sells the family's bed linens to retrieve Antonio's bicycle from the pawnshop so he can take the job. However, disaster strikes when Antonio's bicycle is stolen, and his new job is doomed unless he can find the thief. With the help of his lively son, Bruno (Enzo Staiola), Antonio combs the city, growing increasingly desperate for justice.

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Critics Consensus

An Italian neorealism exemplar, Bicycle Thieves thrives on its non-flashy performances and searing emotion.

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Richard Winnington

Sight & Sound

Feb 2, 2021

Bicycle Thieves is a wholly satisfying film in that de Sica has so simplified and mastered the mechanics of the job that nothing stands between you and his intention.

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Bob Thomas

Associated Press

Mar 29, 2019

This gem tells the story of a frantic search bv a man and his son for a stolen bike which provided for the family's existence. It is told with the usual Italian realism, but with unusual excitement.

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Christy Lemire

ChristyLemire.com

Feb 27, 2018

4/4

Decades later, you can see the influence of Bicycle Thieves everywhere, in a variety of genres and languages.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Nov 11, 2025

4/4

It's not hyperbole to flatly state that this is one of the all-time greats in the annals of cinema; on my own list, only Ingmar Bergman's The Seventh Seal ranks higher when it comes to foreign-language films.

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Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

Feb 4, 2023

[Vittorio] De Sica brings an almost documentary style to capture life in front of his lens, but infused it with an eye toward poetic realism.

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Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

Aug 19, 2022

4.5/5

“The Bicycle Thief” paints a bleak picture of a troubling cycle. It takes abject poverty and theft and links them together to form a depressing revolving door.

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Gail TheWriterStuff J

@Thewriterstuff Sep 17, 2026

So sad that I've not been able to watch it again.

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David H

@RT78557869 Aug 31, 2026

A must-watch. Understand how central the bike was to Italian life in the 1940s, the searing realism of the film is, at times, hard viewing, but well worth it.

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nick S

@Nick_S Aug 7, 2026

This slow burn drama has captivating characters and an immersive storytelling style. Even if you guess where the movie is going the execution is somewhat unexpected.

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Stephen B.

@blowdega Jun 5, 2026

Heartbreaking and captivating. One of the finest films I’ve ever seen.

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Cem Okan Y

@cmyldz23 May 6, 2026

My first exposure to Italian neo-realism as someone who is not fond of the Italian movies. However, this was an absolute minimalist masterpiece showing us true hardships. It was a particularly remarkable experience for me as I was watching this movie when I was trying to find a job, which was also the main background shaping the story we watch.

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thiago S

@Thiagostone May 4, 2026

Filme mais ou menos, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são mais ou menos, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom

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Vittorio De Sica

Director

Lamberto Maggiorani

Antonio Ricci

Lianella Carell

Maria

Enzo Staiola

Bruno

Elena Altieri

The charitable Lady

Vittorio Antonucci

The Thief

Shoeshine

100%

92%

Shoeshine

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100%

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Bicycle Thieves: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Unemployed Antonio Ricci (Lamberto Maggiorani) is elated when he finally finds work hanging posters around war-torn Rome. His wife, Maria (Lianella Carell), sells the family's bed linens to retrieve Antonio's bicycle from the pawnshop so he can take the job. However, disaster strikes when Antonio's bicycle is stolen, and his new job is doomed unless he can find the thief. With the help of his lively son, Bruno (Enzo Staiola), Antonio combs the city, growing increasingly desperate for justice.

Director: Vittorio De Sica
Producer: Vittorio De Sica
Screenwriter: Luigi Bartolini, Cesar Zavattini, Suso Cecchi d'Amico
Production Co: Produzioni De Sica
Genre: Drama
Original Language: Italian
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 24, 1948, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 29, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $332.9K
Runtime: 1h 30m
Sound Mix: Mono
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.37:1)

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