The Bicycle Thief

 

The Bicycle Thief 1948

• Director: Vittorio De Sica
• Based on the novel: no
• Cast: Lamberto Maggiorani, Enzo Staiola, Lianella Carell
• Why? It’s a classic.
• Seen: 4 April 2021.

             Desperate for work in post-war Rome where unemployment is devastatingly high, Antonio (Maggiorani) is offered a job putting up posters for the city. For that he needs a bicycle. His wife Maria (Carell) pawns their bedding so he can get his bicycle out of hawk.

       On his first day of work, his bike is stolen.

       He and his little boy Bruno (Staiola) spend the rest of the film trying to find the thief and/or the bike.

       As always, I like the black and white filming. The social realism of poverty and unemployment is strongly portrayed. At times it moves so slowly that my interest lags but the low-key climax is gripping. 

      

4* of 5