THE BICYCLE THIEF

Review: A working-class man’s bicycle is stolen in Rome, he and his son go in search for it.
Director: Vittorio De Sica
Actors: Lamberto Maggiorani, Enzo Staiola and Lianella Carell
Year: 1948
Genre: Drama
Conclusion: 5/5
The Italian title for this film is Ladri Di Biciclette. This film is a classic of the neo-realist movement. It has influenced directors such as Francois Truffaut and Ken Loach. Even after Lamberto Maggiorani completed this film he struggled himself to get work. All of the locations that they used in Rome were real. It quotes in the 1000 films to Change your Life book that “This film succeeds as a hymn to the human longing for freedom.” According to the BBFC, some cuts were made to this film but the details are no longer available. This is an angry, frustrating and tragic film, on the basis that the man does everything he can to get a job and then his bike is stolen. He even gives up all of his bedding just to get that bike for his job. He will do anything just to get a job and earn some money for his wife and son. This is a film most of all about love and hope between a father and a son. At the Academy Awards in 1950 this won an Honorary Award. It was also voted by the Academy Board of Governors as the most outstanding foreign language film released in the United States during 1949. At the Golden Globe Awards also in 1950 this won Best Foreign Film (Italy). At the Bafta Awards in 1950 this won Best Film from any Source (Italy).