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Poster for Bicycle Thieves

Bicycle Thieves

The Prize Picture They Want to Censor!

1948 · 1h 29m · Not Rated Drama
Directed by Vittorio De Sica

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Overview

Unemployed Antonio is elated when he finally finds work hanging posters around war-torn Rome. However on his first day, his bicycle—essential to his work—gets stolen. His job is doomed unless he can find the thief. With the help of his son, Antonio combs the city, becoming desperate for justice.

Director and cast

Critics on Rotten Tomatoes

Top critics, in their words

All reviews
98%
Tomatometer
Fresh

The work of screenwriter Cesare Zavattini, director Vittorio De Sica, the nonprofessional actors, and many others is so charged with a common purpose that there's no point in even trying to separate their achievements.

Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
Fresh

Undeniably the most important neorealist film after Rossellini's Open City.

Don Druker, Chicago Reader
Fresh

De Sica carefully balances a generally tragic sensibility with a quiet undercurrent of hope, all the while sucking us into the story with the sheer urgency of the search for a stolen bicycle.

Hank Sartin, Time Out
Fresh

The picture is a pure exercise in directorial virtuosity.

Variety Staff, Variety
Fresh

This film manages to appeal to the better angels of our nature in a way that only deepens as we grow older along with the film.

Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times

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