i agree the only "positive" feeling in the end when he was walking among the crowd it's that he's not alone in his misery, he is part of a whole community that suffers the same and try to survive. They all fighting him and antagonise him but they're all lacking as much I'm depressed though after watching this. it's so familiar, things never change for the working class
i saw this film when i was both unemployed and my bicycle was stolen, it was really close to home. i got first checked it out at the library. a few months later, when i got a job, i bought the criterion version.
Melancholic ending. The irreparable damage to the father and son relationship that comes about from the realisation in Bruno that his father is no longer someone to be idolised.
One of the masterpieces from the Golden age of cinema that will live on forever. I absolutely adore Lamberto Maggiorani, it was so unfortunate to find out that his film career never took off.
Italian Cinema was probably the best in Europe in the late 40's and 50's. Neo-Realism was touching -- occasionally funny --, but it was not uncommon for someone watching one of those great Italian movies feel very strong emotions raging from anger to crying. The artists were good, the producers were good, the stories were always touching. I gew up with Italian movies and songs and when I listen to or watch them I feel very nostalgic about a time few remember any more..
"Bicycle Thieves". Watch the MIT lectures on Italian Neorealism. The course is called The Film Experience and it's available on UA-cam. It's really insightful and well worth your time.
Martin Scorsese names The Bicycle Thief as one of three movies that got to him when he was 5 or 6 with visual literacy. Of course he goes on to name many others, but this was among three!
@@benjamintorrie Being an insignificant part of the metaphorical procession of life, getting knocked by fate and circumstance along the way. He's succumbed to the corruption of his moral dignity through a pressure we have watched slowly grow in him over the length of the film. In this, he's lost something far more precious than a bike but is acknowledged and touched through the unconditional love and understanding of his son, the witness and source of both his struggle and shame. The final frames are visceral and absolute.
This review is misleading. You definitely don't feel any sense of hope in the end. There's no real sense of closure. We'd be lied to by feeling a sense of hope given the context. And the father tries to steal a bike in the end and gets caught, all in front of his own son. He's left with practically no form of morality, but just a broken and jobless man.
What does holding your humanity mean when you are humiliated and called a scoundrel in front of your child. I watched this film at around 10 years old and remember crying in bed for weeks. I tend to overreact, but this was the worst
The then nine years old Enzo Staiola was not the son of Lamberto Maggioranni. They played son and father in the film, but were not related in real life.
I don't care what the literal translation says. 'The Bicycle Thief' is one of the great titles in the history of the cinema. It shouldn't be stripped away from the film.
Like I said, I don't care what it translates to literally. Sometimes a literal translation isn't always the best, and in this case, The Bicycle Thief is a perfect title. Bicycle Thieves just doesn't have the same ring.
ryan davis It doesnt have a good ring because it isnt the film's title, which is Ladri di Biciclette. We refer to movies with their titles, not a translation made for the dumb masses who cant bother to learn 3 foreign words
A masterpiece for the ages. And I can learn something about Italian culture like "fritatta" and "modena fc" soccer team. Very difficult times for Italian people after ww2.
The end to this review was more perplexing than the film, father and sun crying on their way home is... up lifting. No its not but it is honest and all the more sad. This review came out during the recession, but during Covid families are getting evicted making the film timeless.
Owing to a mix up in translating the original Italian title into English, it was released in the US as “The Bicycle Thief”, while in the UK, it played under the correct title “The Bicycle Thieves”.
it's a very simple story if you think about it but i think the simplicity of the film and the big emotions that are evoked from it are what make it so great! WATCH IT AGAIN XD :)))
Chef-d’œuvre du cinéma. De Sica achieves greatness of pathos with economy of means and simplicity, like Bach. Like no other film maker. La cumbre del cine, cuya misión es despertarnos del letargo cultural.
I think that father and son cling together and will help each other. The plural Thieves and not thief I think refers to the many desperate people who steal to survive and there's a feeling of human pity for all of them in the end.
I don't ussually do foriegn films beause they boring. I rented this from Netflix and it made me a believer. It makes you see how other people made it to survive.
for pete's sale, beloved yanks, the name of the film is "bicycle thieves" ( "ladri di biciclette" in italian), not 'the bicycle thief' - indeed the whole point of the film is that there is more than one thief!
Thanks again A. O. Scott :) Agree with you 100 % about film not leaving me into despair or depression, I clearly felt it. Why? Because it´s clear to me that even with tons of problems Antonio realized the people he really cared/loved (wife & son) were more important in life (Bruno didn´t drown), than a bycicle or poverty itself, he takes Bruno´s hand, and even though Antonio morally failed bad in front of his son, there´s no comparison of this event to the possibility of losing Bruno. Antonio is a human being with a heart, not a man who considers a bycicle/money a God anymore.
Spoiler Alert I find it really annoying that when the thief steals Antonio's bike, and Antonio chases after him shouting "THIEF", none of the bystanders do anything. This happens even the second time Antonio chases after the thief. But when Antonio steals a bike at the end of the movie, the whole town goes after him. A huge plot convenience that kinda ruins the movie for me a little bit.
I believe that the depression was justified by the historical moment, I believe that before starting any reasoning it is necessary to think about the historical moment, it was the immediate postwar period, the nation was in ruins, many hopes, confidence in the future had certainly been try, we have never lived through a war, I think that after a defeat you don't feel really good right? Trust, hope are attitudes that need time to strengthen, I am sure that the inner strength of our grandparents and parents were not comparable to ours, we have practically never experienced tragedies, thank God! So I think it is useless to start any discussion without starting from the historical period that was lived.
People in Italy were desperate and starving during the war and afterwards. It was said that there 'were no cats or dogs around anymore. Guess why? They were all consumed because people were starving and desperate. We don’t understand or feel that kind of desperation here in the USA. Yet. It could easily happen her too! If the trucks stopped running and delivering food supplies to the stores we’d have chaos and empty stores in 2 weeks or less. I got a taste of this type of shortage last year. When all the Walmart’s were closed for the Holidays. Only one smaller store was open near me. All the 🥖 Bread, Milk 🥛 And Water 💧 supplies were gone. The Shelves were Empty except for a pack of Bagels and some 1 liter plastic bottles of Milk. So I bought the Bagels and 4 Liter Bottles of Milk. It was the only store that was open and I was lucky 🍀 and happy to find even that. Most people in America don’t know what hunger is. It’s a very unpleasant experience when you see Empty Shelves with No Supplies. So I did get get an empty feeling of despair when I saw that. Now I plan ahead and have over 2 weeks supply of food and water. I should get a few months supply going. The Grid can collapse at any time. Those who are not prepared will suffer the most.
Its also called Bicycle thieves because there is actually a gang involved in the thieving of bicycles.. that's how they make their living... its not one Bicycle thief.. but like I said , a group of men and or woman who are all involved with stealing bicycles as it becomes apparent , when Antonio catches the bicycle thief, but is then surrounded by his accomplices.The Bicycle thief, The Bicycle thieves, what difference does it make.... the film is epic, a fantastic film. later on during the 80s 90s there was a concerted effort from Hollywood to destroy the Italian cinema industry and they have succeeded.. now all we see is crap , dumbing down, brain damaging shyt coming out of Hollywood.. killing peoples mind slowly but surely.!!
The bicycle Thief makes sense when you look at it from the beginning. One thief steals the fathers bicycle without any thought for its owner. The latter is a father whose intent is to feed his family and pay his bills; an honest intent. The previous thief who, if you’ll forgive me, reminds me of the unrepentant thief in the New Testament, and the father, whose intentions were always noble, becomes a thief also, but a repentant one in a sense. Repentant of what? Well, in his position I would be repentant because I let myself get caught😉. Jokes aside, this story conceals the cruelty and baseness of the ‘ruling’ class over the struggling working class. Nothing, in my book, will ever justify the first theft, no matter how one rationalises it. The first thief is the catalyst in this story, and his cowardly act causes sorrow and pain for the honest,hard working father, who, in spite of the humiliation and loss of opportunity, still clings to Hope.
Пора говорить ПРЯМО. ВСЁ ИСКУССТВО: КИНО, ТЕАТР, МУЗЫКА, КНИГИ, ПОЭЗИЯ, ЖИВОПИСЬ имеет ИСКЛЮЧИТЕЛЬНО ДВА ГЛОБАЛЬНЫХ СМЫСЛА , либо служит ПРОСЛАВЛЕНИЮ БОЖЬЕГО СЛОВА , либо дьяволу. СЛУЖИТЬ БОЖЬЕМУ СЛОВУ это значит , каждым КАДРОМ, РЕПЛИКОЙ, КУПЛЕТОМ и т.п. "ПРИВОДИТЬ" НАС, ЗРИТЕЛЕЙ, СЛУШАТЕЛЕЙ к ПОКАЯНИЮ, СПАСЕНИЮ ДУШИ, и соответственно наоборот, максимально удалять от него. МЕРЗКОЕ сатанинское КИНО. ДЬЯВОЛЬСКАЯ НАСМЕШКА, И пример МАНИПУЛЯЦИИ человеком. НО СНАЧАЛА. Любое упоминание В ФИЛЬМЕ о Боге обычное БОГОХУЛЬСТВО(ХУЛА НА ДУХА СВЯТОГО). НО БОГА ОБИДЕТЬ НЕ ВОЗМОЖНО ОН БЕССТРАСТЕН, А вот ХУЛА ЕГО это БОЛЬШОЙ ГРЕХ. А ГРЕХ это РАНА которую человек наносит прежде всего сам СВОЕЙ ДУШЕ. РАНА которая ОТКРЫВАЕТ ДУШУ ДЛЯ ДЕМОНОВ мучителей, БЕСОВ ПОРОЧНЫХ СТРАСТЕЙ, слуг дьявола. ПОЧЕМУ НАСМЕШКА. Сам же ФИЛЬМ прежде всего НАМЕРЕННО «РАЗЖИГАЕТ», но В ДУШАХ самих ЗРИТЕЛЕЙ, действие множества СТРАШНЫХ ПОРОЧНЫХ СТРАСТЕЙ таких как ГОРДЫНЯ, ЛУКАВСТВО, ТЩЕСЛАВИЕ(ПАГУБНАЯ СТРАСТЬ К ЛЮДСКОЙ СЛАВЕ), ГНЕВ, НЕНАВИСТЬ, МЕСТЬ, ПОХОТЬ, ЧРЕВОУГОДИЕ, КУРЕНИЕ, ТЯГА К АЛКОГОЛЮ, СРЕБРОЛЮБИЕ(ПАГУБНАЯ СТРАСТЬ К ДЕНЬГАМ), пагубную СТРАСТЬ КО всякой БЕСОВЩИНЕ, И главное ЛЮБОСТЯЖАНИЕ. А ЭТО всё ГРЕХИ. И ВОТ ТАК, ОГРОМНОЕ БОЛЬШИНСТВО ЛЮДЕЙ, ВОЛЬНО ИЛИ НЕ ВОЛЬНО СОГРЕШАЮТ(не вольно значит что, грех только у себя в уме, под действием той или иной порочной страсти, является таким же грехом), И ДЬЯВОЛ «ВВОДИТ» В ДУШУ человека ДЕМОНОВ МУЧИТЕЛЕЙ разных ПОРОЧНЫХ СТРАСТЕЙ. Ну А «ОБЩЕНИЕ» человека в жизни С любым ДЕМОНОМ, «ПРИВЕДЁТ» рано или поздно только к одному, или К ПСИХИЧЕСКОМУ РАССТРОЙСТВУ, или УБИЙСТВУ, или САМОУБИЙСТВУ. И к АДУ для ДУШИ после физической СМЕРТИ тела. А ПОЧЕМУ МАНИПУЛЯЦИЯ. «ПРИОРИТЕТНЫМ» демоном который завладевают душой человека при просмотре фильма, БУДЕТ ДЕМОН МУЧИТЕЛЬ ЛЮБОСТЯЖАНИЯ. ПОТОМУ ЧТО КАК реально примерно ВЫГЛЯДИТ ЭТОТ ДЕМОН ПОКАЗАНО В этом ФИЛЬМЕ. А ТАКЖЕ сам этот демон неизбежно будет РАЗЖИГАТЬ и ещё одну ПОРОЧНУЮ СТРАСТЬ, ВОРОВСТВО. И теперь ЗАЩИТА. При просмотре таких фильмов, ЕСЛИ СОГРЕШИЛ(даже только в мыслях, в данном случае почувствовал проявление пороков записанных выше), надо сразу же ПРОИЗНОСИТЬ МОЛИТВУ ГОСПОДА нашего ИИСУСА ХРИСТА. «ГОСПОДИ ИИСУСЕ ХРИСТЕ СЫНЕ БОЖИЙ СПАСИ И ПОМИЛУЙ МЕНЯ ГРЕШНОГО». Стопроцентно помогает. И вот как БЫЛО БЫ ХОРОШО, ЧТОБЫ КАЖДЫЙ ПОНИМАЛ это. НО ЭТО очень «тонкие» моменты, ПОНЯТЬ которые МОЖНО будет ТОЛЬКО ЧИТАЯ, И ГЛАВНОЕ, ИЗУЧАЯ КНИГУ ЖИЗНИ, СВЯТОЕ ЕВАНГЕЛИЕ. Да и ПОРОЧНЫЕ СТРАСТИ это ГОРДЫНЯ, ТЩЕСЛАВИЕ, ЛУКАВСТВО, СЕБЯЛЮБИЕ, ТРУСОСТЬ, ЧЕЛОВЕКОУГОДИЕ, ЗАВИСТЬ, ЖАДНОСТЬ, ОСУЖДЕНИЕ, АЛЧНОСТЬ, СКУПОСТЬ, СРЕБРОЛЮБИЕ, ЛИЦЕМЕРИЕ, УНЫНИЕ, ЧРЕВОУГОДИЕ, ГНЕВ, РЕВНОСТЬ, ВОРОВСТВО, РАЗДРАЖЕНИЕ, ВЛАСТОЛЮБИЕ, ПОХОТЬ, ЛЮБОПЫТСТВО, ПЬЯНСТВО, КУРЕНИЕ, ПРЕЛЮБОДЕЯНИЕ, ОБИДЧИВОСТЬ, ЗАСТЕНЧИВОСТЬ, ХИТРОСТЬ, РАССЕЯННОСТЬ и т.д. и т.п. И у КАЖДОГО ЧЕЛОВЕКА своя(СТРАСТЬ), так сказать, ЛИЧНАЯ. И ЭТО всё БОЛЕЗНИ, но БОЛЕЗНИ ДУХОВНОГО ПЛАНА. А ПОЧЕМУ мы ВСЕ БОЛЬНЫ. После ГРЕХОПАДЕНИЯ АДАМА и ЕВЫ они были ИЗГНАНЫ ИЗ РАЯ. ДО грехопадения они ЖИЛИ В РАЮ подобно АНГЕЛАМ. После, БОГ одел их в «одежды» что значит в тела, и ДАЛ ЗАПОВЕДЬ «ПЛОДИТЕСЬ и РАЗМНОЖАЙТЕСЬ» и заселяйте Землю. НО для размножения, В ПОЛОВЫЕ ОТНОШЕНИЯ ПРИХОДИЛОСЬ ВСТУПАТЬ БРАТУ С СЕСТРОЙ. И ЭТО было вызвано необходимостью а НЕ ПОХОТЬЮ. И ВОТ ПОЧЕМУ КАЖДЫЙ рождающийся ребёнок уже ГРЕШЕН. Только не физическое(физическое если вызвано похотью, между родными братьями и сёстрами), а так называемое ПЕРВОРОДНОЕ (ДУХОВНОЕ , ПРИЧИНА которого ГРЕХОПАДЕНИЕ) ПОВРЕЖДЕНИЕ(ГРЕХ, ПОРОЧНАЯ СТРАСТЬ) НА КАЖДОМ человеке при рождении. И У КАЖДОГО человека своя СОБСТВЕННАЯ СТРАСТЬ. И ЭТО БОЛЕЗНЬ, но БОЛЕЗНЬ прежде всего ДУХОВНОГО ПЛАНА. И именно ПОРОЧНЫЕ СТРАСТИ людей являются ПРИЧИНОЙ ВСЕХ БЕД, СТРАДАНИЙ, и РАЗРУШИТЕЛЬНЫХ ДЕЙСТВИЙ на Земле. А вот условия ОСВОБОЖДЕНИЯ ОТ этого ПЕРВОРОДНОГО ГРЕХА(ПОВРЕЖДЕНИЯ, СТРАСТИ) как раз и ЗАПИСАНЫ в КНИГЕ ЖИЗНИ, СВЯТОМ ЕВАНГЕЛИЕ. НО СНАЧАЛА , чтобы донести их людям, сам СЫН, БОГ СЛОВО ВОЧЕЛОВЕЧИЛСЯ(ИИСУС ХРИСТОС, имя ИИСУС означает СПАСИТЕЛЬ). А ЕГО за это РАСПЯЛИ. Но ОСТАЛОСЬ СВЯТОЕ ЕВАНГЕЛИЕ. Вот ЭТО и есть БОЖЕСТВЕННЫЕ УСЛОВИЯ , во первых ИЗБАВЛЕНИЯ ОТ ПЕРВОРОДНОГО ГРЕХА(а правильней сказать от ПОВРЕЖДЕНИЯ), И во вторых ДЛЯ СПАСЕНИЯ ДУШИ человеческой, ПОЛУЧЕНИЯ ЖИЗНИ ВЕЧНОЙ для ДУШИ, ПОСЛЕ физической СМЕРТИ тела , В ЦАРСТВИЕ НЕБЕСНОМ. И поэтому ИСТИННАЯ ВЕРА В БОГА, в первую очередь ЗАКЛЮЧАЕТСЯ В «БОРЬБЕ» каждого ЧЕЛОВЕКА, ПРИ ЗЕМНОЙ ЖИЗНИ, СО своими собственными ПОРОЧНЫМИ СТРАСТЯМИ, И только ТАК можно получить СПАСЕНИЕ для своей ДУШИ. Ну И ЕСЛИ каждый человек захочет "БОРОТЬСЯ" СО своими ПОРОЧНЫМИ СТРАСТЯМИ , ТО для начала, НУЖНО ПОВЕРИТЬ В БОГА, ПРЕСВЯТУЮ ТРОИЦУ: ОТЦА(СОЗДАТЕЛЯ ВСЕГО ЖИВОГО И НЕ ЖИВОГО, ВИДИМОГО мира и НЕ ВИДИМОГО),через СЫНА БОГА СЛОВО(ИИСУСА ХРИСТА), СВЯТОГО ДУХА. А ЧТОБЫ "ПРИЙТИ" к БОГУ или ПОЗНАТЬ БОГА необходимо ПОКАЯНИЕ. Ну А для того ЧТОБЫ ПОНЯТЬ ВСЁ что написано выше , И для ИСКРЕННЕГО ХРИСТИАНСКОГО ПОКАЯНИЯ, которое необходимо УСПЕТЬ(потому что ВРЕМЕНИ осталось очень МАЛО, ВОЗМОЖНО даже ПРИМЕРНО 1 МЕСЯЦ, И ВСЁ(смотри СВЯТОЕ ЕВАНГЕЛИЕ от МАТФЕЯ, ГЛ. 24)) СДЕЛАТЬ при ЗЕМНОЙ ЖИЗНИ ЧЕЛОВЕКА, ПЕРВЫМ "шагом" будет (и как об этом уже упоминалось выше) ЧТЕНИЕ и ГЛАВНОЕ, ИЗУЧЕНИЕ КНИГИ ЖИЗНИ, СВЯЩЕННОГО ПИСАНИЯ НОВЫЙ ЗАВЕТ. ✋🏻
The bicycle thieves (1948): I am very interested in literature and Cinema and history and photography above all and I have watched numerous lectures and interviews and documentaries about photography and Cinema sometimes history and I came to know of a movement called Neo realism movement which started out in Italy and then went to France and out of that they were similar movements in other countries including the Indian art Cinema movement which tried to show films with realism and authenticity and sensitivity some of these nice films and stories have been grouped under the umbrella of something known as the criterion collection which public libraries here in Canada typically have and I have watched quite a few of those which I liked and there are too many so I watch the ones that I like when I can sometimes be fortunate to find something online like yesterday I found I found this one called Bicycle Thieves by an Italian director called Vittorio De Sica this is a 1948 film and it is about post war Italy and the conditions the hard times so this story is very briefly I've only watched so far maybe 10 minutes into it but I know of this film from cinematography and realism Cinema documentaries from those I know about this film but I haven't watched it but I know about it and last night I started to watch it so what this film is about is about obviously post-war Italy and the hard times so this man he goes to get employment as a laborer and one of the requirements for the job is having a bicycle to be able to come on time and do other things so when this guy he goes to apply for the job he's asked do you have a bicycle and he says well I don't have one but I can get one and he is told that the condition of the job is that you must have a bicycle and other others start saying that we have bicycles but he says your the skills I'm looking for are very specific so if you want this job you must have a bicycle and he said tomorrow I will come with the bicycle so obviously he doesn't have the bicycle and his wife find some linens and sheets from her dowry and she takes them to what seems to be a Pawn Broker and she is given discounted cash so he takes the money to some bicycle sellers to buy the bicycle and so this is how the story started the sad story of the man looking for employment and his wife selling her Dowry so that he can purchase a bicycle and I'm sure the bicycle is going to be stolen and this is what the film is about. The best acting in this film is of the child the son of the man whose bicycle was stolen he's acting is so nice and his character is such a intelligent and mature and lovable character and he's almost playing it like a small Italian man. 1. But now analyzing it further look at this poster the one below in the top left corner the Academy awards icon is a yellow triangle. 2. Look at the man with the black trousers in the top left corner with the black trousers he has something like a goose-step 3. The man with a good step and the black trousers is kicking the child in the head this is the timing of the photo. This publicity poster has been chosen by a particular reason by specific people to convey a specific message they had unlimited choices but this is the one which was authorized. 4. In this publicity poster the man and his son with the caption below bicycle thieves are made to look like the bicycle thieves themselves but the reality is they are the victims they look, sitting down as though they have been arrested and handcuffed, yet these two are the victims.
not sure how this film didnt leave you with a feeling of depression or despair
+hsojlocin I know right? I felt totally hopeless in the end.
i agree
the only "positive" feeling in the end when he was walking among the crowd it's that he's not alone in his misery, he is part of a whole community that suffers the same and try to survive.
They all fighting him and antagonise him but they're all lacking as much
I'm depressed though after watching this. it's so familiar, things never change for the working class
I guess he's a "The glass is half full" kinda guy. This is one of the most depressing and emotional ending ever. Critics.
Life = hope
i saw this film when i was both unemployed and my bicycle was stolen, it was really close to home. i got first checked it out at the library. a few months later, when i got a job, i bought the criterion version.
Video Store Clerk I thought you were going to say that you ended up stealing a bicycle and spent time in the clink😂
Which country? Asia or Europe?
I can’t believe that guy never acted before, he was amazing!!!
He ends up being the one he despises - a bicycle thief. Character arc completed.
Melancholic ending. The irreparable damage to the father and son relationship that comes about from the realisation in Bruno that his father is no longer someone to be idolised.
Not really
One of the masterpieces from the Golden age of cinema that will live on forever. I absolutely adore Lamberto Maggiorani, it was so unfortunate to find out that his film career never took off.
Italian Cinema was probably the best in Europe in the late 40's and 50's. Neo-Realism was touching -- occasionally funny --, but it was not uncommon for someone watching one of those great Italian movies feel very strong emotions raging from anger to crying. The artists were good, the producers were good, the stories were always touching. I gew up with Italian movies and songs and when I listen to or watch them I feel very nostalgic about a time few remember any more..
"Bicycle Thieves". Watch the MIT lectures on Italian Neorealism. The course is called The Film Experience and it's available on UA-cam. It's really insightful and well worth your time.
literally the second i finished this movie i screamed "WHAT?" and then spent the next minute or so screaming into a pillow. sigh unhappy endings. :(
Martin Scorsese names The Bicycle Thief as one of three movies that got to him when he was 5 or 6 with visual literacy. Of course he goes on to name many others, but this was among three!
BAFTA Guru Advice for Beginners is what I am citing above.
It's undoubtedly the best of them. It's Bazin-complete.
Story of entire India 🇮🇳 right now
Speak for yourself, I felt devastated at the end
A classic film once seen never forgotten
Look at that little kid acting, it's phenomenal.
This film says something far and beyond 'keeping ones humanity'
Absolutely. I have no idea how he came up with that ridiculous conclusion.
@@benjamintorrie Being an insignificant part of the metaphorical procession of life, getting knocked by fate and circumstance along the way. He's succumbed to the corruption of his moral dignity through a pressure we have watched slowly grow in him over the length of the film. In this, he's lost something far more precious than a bike but is acknowledged and touched through the unconditional love and understanding of his son, the witness and source of both his struggle and shame. The final frames are visceral and absolute.
@@benjamintorrie Sorry, I misread your comment as being directed at the filmmaker. It's early and I haven't had coffee yet. My bad.
Ian24s no worries!!
Ian24s I find your interpretation far more compelling than A. O. Scott’s!
One of the best movie I’ve ever seen.
This review is misleading.
You definitely don't feel any sense of hope in the end.
There's no real sense of closure.
We'd be lied to by feeling a sense of hope given the context.
And the father tries to steal a bike in the end and gets caught, all in front of his own son.
He's left with practically no form of morality, but just a broken and jobless man.
The hope is that we can all learn and not just walk away feeling sorry for ourself.
What does holding your humanity mean when you are humiliated and called a scoundrel in front of your child. I watched this film at around 10 years old and remember crying in bed for weeks.
I tend to overreact, but this was the worst
The then nine years old Enzo Staiola was not the son of Lamberto Maggioranni. They played son and father in the film, but were not related in real life.
He was randomly chosen out as he was observed by the director selling something along with his father
Always thought it was important that Bicycle Theives...there are 2 in the story..
One of THE BEST MOVIE IN UNIVERSE
i swear this movie critic hasn’t seen many of the movies he is reviewing in decades
La povertà, l'umiltà, l'umiliazione, la fame di un popolo, tutto negli occhi del protagonista.
This, and The Red Balloon never get old.
Absolute Masterpiece of cinema.
What is wrong with Scott? The title is "Bicycle Thieves" and Enzo Staiola who played Bruno was not Lamberto Maggiorani's son.
The film is called either "The Bicycle Thief" or "Bicycle Thieves"
I don't care what the literal translation says. 'The Bicycle Thief' is one of the great titles in the history of the cinema. It shouldn't be stripped away from the film.
ryan davis except it isnt.
The great title is "Ladri di Biciclette", which literally translates to "Bicycle Thieves"
Like I said, I don't care what it translates to literally. Sometimes a literal translation isn't always the best, and in this case, The Bicycle Thief is a perfect title. Bicycle Thieves just doesn't have the same ring.
ryan davis It doesnt have a good ring because it isnt the film's title, which is Ladri di Biciclette.
We refer to movies with their titles, not a translation made for the dumb masses who cant bother to learn 3 foreign words
Great Film. How can you tell anyone to avoid "Shoeshine"? They are both extraordinary.
A masterpiece for the ages. And I can learn something about Italian culture like "fritatta" and "modena fc" soccer team. Very difficult times for Italian people after ww2.
This movie always punch hard my heart,it's not a simple masterpiece🔝🚲
P.S some translations are wrong btw
Thank You very much for sharing this story and this movie.
The end to this review was more perplexing than the film, father and sun crying on their way home is... up lifting. No its not but it is honest and all the more sad. This review came out during the recession, but during Covid families are getting evicted making the film timeless.
This movie leaves you with anything but a feeling of fullfillment, lol.
Owing to a mix up in translating the original Italian title into English, it was released in the US as “The Bicycle Thief”, while in the UK, it played under the correct title “The Bicycle Thieves”.
Bruno (Enzo Staiola) is not the son of Antonio (Lamberto Maggiorani)....
I don't think that was his actual son in the movie?
The actors are not father and son in real life as stated here.
It's Bycicle Thieves!
One of the most important films of all time. Sight and Sound check that out.
it's a very simple story if you think about it but i think the simplicity of the film and the big emotions that are evoked from it are what make it so great! WATCH IT AGAIN XD :)))
The greatest of stories are always at simple on the surface of it but dig deep and there are multiple layers to it
Ah I didn't know Italy was the one that did this style? I always thought it was the French? This is so cool to learn
This movie left me with nothing but despair!
Chef-d’œuvre du cinéma. De Sica achieves greatness of pathos
with economy of means and simplicity, like Bach. Like no other film maker. La cumbre del cine, cuya misión es despertarnos del letargo cultural.
I think that father and son cling together and will help each other. The plural Thieves and not thief I think refers to the many desperate people who steal to survive and there's a feeling of human pity for all of them in the end.
really interesting, I've only ever seen it translated as Bicycle Thieves
Magnificent film!
This is a wonderful overview of one of my favorite films, but IT COMPLETELY GIVES AWAY THE END. DO NOT WATCH IF YOU HAVE NOT SEEN THE FILM.
It is the great film
I don't think Enzo is Lamberto's son.
farhan ahmed was here for film class @ cwi 10-15-22
Welcome to my poetry.
Yes, you did.
A. O. Scott looks like the love child of Michael Scott and Robert California.
I am watching this in Lecture
the movie DID leave me with a feeling of depression. Antonio deserved better :(
translated ladri is thieves, ladro is thief. . so if the title in Italian is ladri di biciclete. that translates to " the bicycle thieves.
I don't ussually do foriegn films beause they boring. I rented this from Netflix and it made me a believer. It makes you see how other people made it to survive.
haha they are not boring, they just make you think more
You're watching bad foreign films
No. He is broken at end. He lost some of his humanity
for pete's sale, beloved yanks, the name of the film is "bicycle thieves" ( "ladri di biciclette" in italian), not 'the bicycle thief' - indeed the whole point of the film is that there is more than one thief!
Thanks again A. O. Scott :) Agree with you 100 % about film not leaving me into despair or depression, I clearly felt it. Why? Because it´s clear to me that even with tons of problems Antonio realized the people he really cared/loved (wife & son) were more important in life (Bruno didn´t drown), than a bycicle or poverty itself, he takes Bruno´s hand, and even though Antonio morally failed bad in front of his son, there´s no comparison of this event to the possibility of losing Bruno. Antonio is a human being with a heart, not a man who considers a bycicle/money a God anymore.
Spoiler Alert
I find it really annoying that when the thief steals Antonio's bike, and Antonio chases after him shouting "THIEF", none of the bystanders do anything. This happens even the second time Antonio chases after the thief. But when Antonio steals a bike at the end of the movie, the whole town goes after him. A huge plot convenience that kinda ruins the movie for me a little bit.
the second time he doesn't even scream thief.
Very nice review for a very sad film.
10 years ago
Life is hope.
Heartbreaking realism
The title is the Bicycle Thieves, not the Bicycle Thief!
🖤
This movie will leave you sad after the ending as the protagonist ends up having to steal from the poor as was done to him.
It’s so depressing…
And it’s over an item you can go grab in a thrift store for 50 bucks right now. 😂
I have no speech to say
The actors weren't actors regular people 😢
I believe that the depression was justified by the historical moment, I believe that before starting any reasoning it is necessary to think about the historical moment, it was the immediate postwar period, the nation was in ruins, many hopes, confidence in the future had certainly been try, we have never lived through a war, I think that after a defeat you don't feel really good right? Trust, hope are attitudes that need time to strengthen, I am sure that the inner strength of our grandparents and parents were not comparable to ours, we have practically never experienced tragedies, thank God! So I think it is useless to start any discussion without starting from the historical period that was lived.
People in Italy were desperate and starving during the war and afterwards. It was said that there 'were no cats or dogs around anymore. Guess why? They were all consumed because people were starving and desperate.
We don’t understand or feel that kind of desperation here in the USA. Yet.
It could easily happen her too!
If the trucks stopped running and delivering food supplies to the stores we’d have chaos and empty stores in 2 weeks or less. I got a taste of this type of shortage last year. When all the Walmart’s were closed for the Holidays. Only one smaller store was open near me. All the 🥖 Bread, Milk 🥛 And Water 💧 supplies were gone. The Shelves were Empty except for a pack of Bagels and some 1 liter plastic bottles of Milk. So I bought the Bagels and 4 Liter Bottles of Milk. It was the only store that was open and I was lucky 🍀 and happy to find even that.
Most people in America don’t know what hunger is. It’s a very unpleasant experience when you see Empty Shelves with No Supplies. So I did get get an empty feeling of despair when I saw that. Now I plan ahead and have over 2 weeks supply of food and water. I should get a few months supply going. The Grid can collapse at any time. Those who are not prepared will suffer the most.
Honest lonely one against thiefty solid millions.
Its also called Bicycle thieves because there is actually a gang involved in the thieving of bicycles.. that's how they make their living... its not one Bicycle thief.. but like I said , a group of men and or woman who are all involved with stealing bicycles as it becomes apparent , when Antonio catches the bicycle thief, but is then surrounded by his accomplices.The Bicycle thief, The Bicycle thieves, what difference does it make.... the film is epic, a fantastic film. later on during the 80s 90s there was a concerted effort from Hollywood to destroy the Italian cinema industry and they have succeeded.. now all we see is crap , dumbing down, brain damaging shyt coming out of Hollywood.. killing peoples mind slowly but surely.!!
😔♥️
The bicycle Thief makes sense when you look at it from the beginning. One thief steals the fathers bicycle without any thought for its owner. The latter is a father whose intent is to feed his family and pay his bills; an honest intent.
The previous thief who, if you’ll forgive me, reminds me of the unrepentant thief in the New Testament, and the father, whose intentions were always noble, becomes a thief also, but a repentant one in a sense. Repentant of what? Well, in his position I would be repentant because I let myself get caught😉. Jokes aside, this story conceals the cruelty and baseness of the ‘ruling’ class over the struggling working class. Nothing, in my book, will ever justify the first theft, no matter how one rationalises it. The first thief is the catalyst in this story, and his cowardly act causes sorrow and pain for the honest,hard working father, who, in spite of the humiliation and loss of opportunity, still clings to Hope.
Pls upload English movie The Bicycle Thief
Пора говорить ПРЯМО. ВСЁ ИСКУССТВО: КИНО, ТЕАТР, МУЗЫКА, КНИГИ, ПОЭЗИЯ, ЖИВОПИСЬ имеет ИСКЛЮЧИТЕЛЬНО ДВА ГЛОБАЛЬНЫХ СМЫСЛА , либо служит ПРОСЛАВЛЕНИЮ БОЖЬЕГО СЛОВА , либо дьяволу. СЛУЖИТЬ БОЖЬЕМУ СЛОВУ это значит , каждым КАДРОМ, РЕПЛИКОЙ, КУПЛЕТОМ и т.п. "ПРИВОДИТЬ" НАС, ЗРИТЕЛЕЙ, СЛУШАТЕЛЕЙ к ПОКАЯНИЮ, СПАСЕНИЮ ДУШИ, и соответственно наоборот, максимально удалять от него.
МЕРЗКОЕ сатанинское КИНО. ДЬЯВОЛЬСКАЯ НАСМЕШКА, И пример МАНИПУЛЯЦИИ человеком. НО СНАЧАЛА. Любое упоминание В ФИЛЬМЕ о Боге обычное БОГОХУЛЬСТВО(ХУЛА НА ДУХА СВЯТОГО). НО БОГА ОБИДЕТЬ НЕ ВОЗМОЖНО ОН БЕССТРАСТЕН, А вот ХУЛА ЕГО это БОЛЬШОЙ ГРЕХ. А ГРЕХ это РАНА которую человек наносит прежде всего сам СВОЕЙ ДУШЕ. РАНА которая ОТКРЫВАЕТ ДУШУ ДЛЯ ДЕМОНОВ мучителей, БЕСОВ ПОРОЧНЫХ СТРАСТЕЙ, слуг дьявола. ПОЧЕМУ НАСМЕШКА. Сам же ФИЛЬМ прежде всего НАМЕРЕННО «РАЗЖИГАЕТ», но В ДУШАХ самих ЗРИТЕЛЕЙ, действие множества СТРАШНЫХ ПОРОЧНЫХ СТРАСТЕЙ таких как ГОРДЫНЯ, ЛУКАВСТВО, ТЩЕСЛАВИЕ(ПАГУБНАЯ СТРАСТЬ К ЛЮДСКОЙ СЛАВЕ), ГНЕВ, НЕНАВИСТЬ, МЕСТЬ, ПОХОТЬ, ЧРЕВОУГОДИЕ, КУРЕНИЕ, ТЯГА К АЛКОГОЛЮ, СРЕБРОЛЮБИЕ(ПАГУБНАЯ СТРАСТЬ К ДЕНЬГАМ), пагубную СТРАСТЬ КО всякой БЕСОВЩИНЕ, И главное ЛЮБОСТЯЖАНИЕ. А ЭТО всё ГРЕХИ. И ВОТ ТАК, ОГРОМНОЕ БОЛЬШИНСТВО ЛЮДЕЙ, ВОЛЬНО ИЛИ НЕ ВОЛЬНО СОГРЕШАЮТ(не вольно значит что, грех только у себя в уме, под действием той или иной порочной страсти, является таким же грехом), И ДЬЯВОЛ «ВВОДИТ» В ДУШУ человека ДЕМОНОВ МУЧИТЕЛЕЙ разных ПОРОЧНЫХ СТРАСТЕЙ. Ну А «ОБЩЕНИЕ» человека в жизни С любым ДЕМОНОМ, «ПРИВЕДЁТ» рано или поздно только к одному, или К ПСИХИЧЕСКОМУ РАССТРОЙСТВУ, или УБИЙСТВУ, или САМОУБИЙСТВУ. И к АДУ для ДУШИ после физической СМЕРТИ тела. А ПОЧЕМУ МАНИПУЛЯЦИЯ. «ПРИОРИТЕТНЫМ» демоном который завладевают душой человека при просмотре фильма, БУДЕТ ДЕМОН МУЧИТЕЛЬ ЛЮБОСТЯЖАНИЯ. ПОТОМУ ЧТО КАК реально примерно ВЫГЛЯДИТ ЭТОТ ДЕМОН ПОКАЗАНО В этом ФИЛЬМЕ. А ТАКЖЕ сам этот демон неизбежно будет РАЗЖИГАТЬ и ещё одну ПОРОЧНУЮ СТРАСТЬ, ВОРОВСТВО. И теперь ЗАЩИТА. При просмотре таких фильмов, ЕСЛИ СОГРЕШИЛ(даже только в мыслях, в данном случае почувствовал проявление пороков записанных выше), надо сразу же ПРОИЗНОСИТЬ МОЛИТВУ ГОСПОДА нашего ИИСУСА ХРИСТА. «ГОСПОДИ ИИСУСЕ ХРИСТЕ СЫНЕ БОЖИЙ СПАСИ И ПОМИЛУЙ МЕНЯ ГРЕШНОГО». Стопроцентно помогает. И вот как БЫЛО БЫ ХОРОШО, ЧТОБЫ КАЖДЫЙ ПОНИМАЛ это. НО ЭТО очень «тонкие» моменты, ПОНЯТЬ которые МОЖНО будет ТОЛЬКО ЧИТАЯ, И ГЛАВНОЕ, ИЗУЧАЯ КНИГУ ЖИЗНИ, СВЯТОЕ ЕВАНГЕЛИЕ.
Да и ПОРОЧНЫЕ СТРАСТИ это ГОРДЫНЯ, ТЩЕСЛАВИЕ, ЛУКАВСТВО, СЕБЯЛЮБИЕ, ТРУСОСТЬ, ЧЕЛОВЕКОУГОДИЕ, ЗАВИСТЬ, ЖАДНОСТЬ, ОСУЖДЕНИЕ, АЛЧНОСТЬ, СКУПОСТЬ, СРЕБРОЛЮБИЕ, ЛИЦЕМЕРИЕ, УНЫНИЕ, ЧРЕВОУГОДИЕ, ГНЕВ, РЕВНОСТЬ, ВОРОВСТВО, РАЗДРАЖЕНИЕ, ВЛАСТОЛЮБИЕ, ПОХОТЬ, ЛЮБОПЫТСТВО, ПЬЯНСТВО, КУРЕНИЕ, ПРЕЛЮБОДЕЯНИЕ, ОБИДЧИВОСТЬ, ЗАСТЕНЧИВОСТЬ, ХИТРОСТЬ, РАССЕЯННОСТЬ и т.д. и т.п. И у КАЖДОГО ЧЕЛОВЕКА своя(СТРАСТЬ), так сказать, ЛИЧНАЯ. И ЭТО всё БОЛЕЗНИ, но БОЛЕЗНИ ДУХОВНОГО ПЛАНА.
А ПОЧЕМУ мы ВСЕ БОЛЬНЫ. После ГРЕХОПАДЕНИЯ АДАМА и ЕВЫ они были ИЗГНАНЫ ИЗ РАЯ. ДО грехопадения они ЖИЛИ В РАЮ подобно АНГЕЛАМ. После, БОГ одел их в «одежды» что значит в тела, и ДАЛ ЗАПОВЕДЬ «ПЛОДИТЕСЬ и РАЗМНОЖАЙТЕСЬ» и заселяйте Землю. НО для размножения, В ПОЛОВЫЕ ОТНОШЕНИЯ ПРИХОДИЛОСЬ ВСТУПАТЬ БРАТУ С СЕСТРОЙ. И ЭТО было вызвано необходимостью а НЕ ПОХОТЬЮ. И ВОТ ПОЧЕМУ КАЖДЫЙ рождающийся ребёнок уже ГРЕШЕН. Только не физическое(физическое если вызвано похотью, между родными братьями и сёстрами), а так называемое ПЕРВОРОДНОЕ (ДУХОВНОЕ , ПРИЧИНА которого ГРЕХОПАДЕНИЕ) ПОВРЕЖДЕНИЕ(ГРЕХ, ПОРОЧНАЯ СТРАСТЬ) НА КАЖДОМ человеке при рождении. И У КАЖДОГО человека своя СОБСТВЕННАЯ СТРАСТЬ. И ЭТО БОЛЕЗНЬ, но БОЛЕЗНЬ прежде всего ДУХОВНОГО ПЛАНА. И именно ПОРОЧНЫЕ СТРАСТИ людей являются ПРИЧИНОЙ ВСЕХ БЕД, СТРАДАНИЙ, и РАЗРУШИТЕЛЬНЫХ ДЕЙСТВИЙ на Земле. А вот условия ОСВОБОЖДЕНИЯ ОТ этого ПЕРВОРОДНОГО ГРЕХА(ПОВРЕЖДЕНИЯ, СТРАСТИ) как раз и ЗАПИСАНЫ в КНИГЕ ЖИЗНИ, СВЯТОМ ЕВАНГЕЛИЕ. НО СНАЧАЛА , чтобы донести их людям, сам СЫН, БОГ СЛОВО ВОЧЕЛОВЕЧИЛСЯ(ИИСУС ХРИСТОС, имя ИИСУС означает СПАСИТЕЛЬ). А ЕГО за это РАСПЯЛИ. Но ОСТАЛОСЬ СВЯТОЕ ЕВАНГЕЛИЕ. Вот ЭТО и есть БОЖЕСТВЕННЫЕ УСЛОВИЯ , во первых ИЗБАВЛЕНИЯ ОТ ПЕРВОРОДНОГО ГРЕХА(а правильней сказать от ПОВРЕЖДЕНИЯ), И во вторых ДЛЯ СПАСЕНИЯ ДУШИ человеческой, ПОЛУЧЕНИЯ ЖИЗНИ ВЕЧНОЙ для ДУШИ, ПОСЛЕ физической СМЕРТИ тела , В ЦАРСТВИЕ НЕБЕСНОМ.
И поэтому ИСТИННАЯ ВЕРА В БОГА, в первую очередь ЗАКЛЮЧАЕТСЯ В «БОРЬБЕ» каждого ЧЕЛОВЕКА, ПРИ ЗЕМНОЙ ЖИЗНИ, СО своими собственными ПОРОЧНЫМИ СТРАСТЯМИ, И только ТАК можно получить СПАСЕНИЕ для своей ДУШИ.
Ну И ЕСЛИ каждый человек захочет "БОРОТЬСЯ" СО своими ПОРОЧНЫМИ СТРАСТЯМИ , ТО для начала, НУЖНО ПОВЕРИТЬ В БОГА, ПРЕСВЯТУЮ ТРОИЦУ: ОТЦА(СОЗДАТЕЛЯ ВСЕГО ЖИВОГО И НЕ ЖИВОГО, ВИДИМОГО мира и НЕ ВИДИМОГО),через СЫНА БОГА СЛОВО(ИИСУСА ХРИСТА), СВЯТОГО ДУХА.
А ЧТОБЫ "ПРИЙТИ" к БОГУ или ПОЗНАТЬ БОГА необходимо ПОКАЯНИЕ.
Ну А для того ЧТОБЫ ПОНЯТЬ ВСЁ что написано выше , И для ИСКРЕННЕГО ХРИСТИАНСКОГО ПОКАЯНИЯ, которое необходимо УСПЕТЬ(потому что ВРЕМЕНИ осталось очень МАЛО, ВОЗМОЖНО даже ПРИМЕРНО 1 МЕСЯЦ, И ВСЁ(смотри СВЯТОЕ ЕВАНГЕЛИЕ от МАТФЕЯ, ГЛ. 24)) СДЕЛАТЬ при ЗЕМНОЙ ЖИЗНИ ЧЕЛОВЕКА, ПЕРВЫМ "шагом" будет (и как об этом уже упоминалось выше) ЧТЕНИЕ и ГЛАВНОЕ, ИЗУЧЕНИЕ КНИГИ ЖИЗНИ, СВЯЩЕННОГО ПИСАНИЯ НОВЫЙ ЗАВЕТ. ✋🏻
what? did you even watch the same movie? it's ending is unbelievably heartwarming and while a little sorrowful, hopeful too
Trumps' America
The most boring movie I've ever watched
The bicycle thieves (1948):
I am very interested in literature and Cinema and history and photography above all and I have watched numerous lectures and interviews and documentaries about photography and Cinema sometimes history and I came to know of a movement called Neo realism movement which started out in Italy and then went to France and out of that they were similar movements in other countries including the Indian art Cinema movement which tried to show films with realism and authenticity and sensitivity some of these nice films and stories have been grouped under the umbrella of something known as the criterion collection which public libraries here in Canada typically have and I have watched quite a few of those which I liked and there are too many so I watch the ones that I like when I can sometimes be fortunate to find something online like yesterday I found I found this one called Bicycle Thieves by an Italian director called Vittorio De Sica this is a 1948 film and it is about post war Italy and the conditions the hard times so this story is very briefly I've only watched so far maybe 10 minutes into it but I know of this film from cinematography and realism Cinema documentaries from those I know about this film but I haven't watched it but I know about it and last night I started to watch it so what this film is about is about obviously post-war Italy and the hard times so this man he goes to get employment as a laborer and one of the requirements for the job is having a bicycle to be able to come on time and do other things so when this guy he goes to apply for the job he's asked do you have a bicycle and he says well I don't have one but I can get one and he is told that the condition of the job is that you must have a bicycle and other others start saying that we have bicycles but he says your the skills I'm looking for are very specific so if you want this job you must have a bicycle and he said tomorrow I will come with the bicycle so obviously he doesn't have the bicycle and his wife find some linens and sheets from her dowry and she takes them to what seems to be a Pawn Broker and she is given discounted cash so he takes the money to some bicycle sellers to buy the bicycle and so this is how the story started the sad story of the man looking for employment and his wife selling her Dowry so that he can purchase a bicycle and I'm sure the bicycle is going to be stolen and this is what the film is about.
The best acting in this film is of the child the son of the man whose bicycle was stolen he's acting is so nice and his character is such a intelligent and mature and lovable character and he's almost playing it like a small Italian man.
1. But now analyzing it further look at this poster the one below in the top left corner the Academy awards icon is a yellow triangle.
2. Look at the man with the black trousers in the top left corner with the black trousers he has something like a goose-step
3. The man with a good step and the black trousers is kicking the child in the head this is the timing of the photo. This publicity poster has been chosen by a particular reason by specific people to convey a specific message they had unlimited choices but this is the one which was authorized.
4. In this publicity poster the man and his son with the caption below bicycle thieves are made to look like the bicycle thieves themselves but the reality is they are the victims they look, sitting down as though they have been arrested and handcuffed, yet these two are the victims.