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The Bicycle Thief | Year: 1949 Classification: Foreign Film - Italian Directed: - Vittorio De Sica Actors/Actresses: - Lamberto Maggiorani - Enzo Staiola The Classic of Italian Neorealism and the Post-War World "Ladri di biciclette" is a marvelous representation of the struggle for life in post-war Europe. Vittorio De Sisca's story is rather simple: a poor man trying to feed his family finally gains a job putting up posters, which requires him to have a bicycle. His wife pawns the sheets off their bed to buy the bicycle, which is then stolen on his first day of work. What follows is a tragedy of epic proportions. The character of Antonio Ricci is most memorably played by Lamberto Maggiorani, who was not an actor, which only adds to his effectiveness in the role of a simple man trying to deal with a simple problem in a world that does not care about his concerns. This is a film for those who need an operational definition of Neorealism. Antonio and his son search the streets of Rome for the bicycle, which ends up being one of the great symbols in cinema of not only the need for human dignity but so much more. The film's conclusion is haunting and provocative, confronting us with the world of indifference we have created and implicitly asking the viewer what are you go to do about it when this movie is over? Many films have been made about the tragedy and horrors of war. "The Bicycle Thief" is one of the greatest explorations of the tragedy and horrors of the post-war world. Great Film, Okay DVD The Bicycle Thief: a very simple, straightforward story, told straight, no plot-twists or fancy story tricks like false endings, etc. This is a simple story: a man who's work requires him to use his own bicycle or lose his job has his bike stolen from him. The rest of the movie is his and his son's attempt to find the thief and get the bike back.<BR>I understand the plot, but I find it just a little hard to imagine life being so harsh as to put a man out of work for having his bike stolen. I'm not saying it's unrealistic; I didn't live in Italy after WWII. But I found it a tad extreme to be honest. It's a great movie, but I don't think it hits its point home as sharply as Rossellini's "Rome Open City". The DVD is ok - I agree with some reviewers that it could (and indeed should) be transferred at a higher bit-rate with less compression. This film truly derserves the Criterion Treatment if any Italian classic does! It is a better transfer than "Open City", but that's not an excuse. I agree it's time for a quality restoration with more extras and a nice commentary track. But overall, this is a wonderful classic film full of heart and is a fine product worthy of inclusion in any tasteful home movie collection. Neorealism at its most profound! Imagine your family's livelihood depending on a bicycle. In post-war Italy, you compete with hundreds for a job where 25% of the work force is unemployed. The job is yours but it requires you to have a bicycle, something so simple as a bicycle and that bicycle gets stolen on the first day. Neorealism - This wonderful Italian 1948 classic directed by Vittorio de Sica is an emotional depiction of degradation of the soul, loss of humanity and dignity. The film, one of the best in cinematic history, captures neorealism at its best. <BR>Neorealism involves the use of location settings, non-actor roles, and conversational dialogue instead of literary dialogue, simple camerawork and editing. Neorealism offers a compassionate point of view with morality. Here, we wish an innocent man with a family to support could find relief, satisfaction, comfort and justice. As for literary dialogue, there isn't anything great said here, it is simple conversation. No great special effects takes place, no shoot-um up bang bang, just plain old post-war Italy depicting real life, poverty, degradation and humanity. The VHS 50 year-old film is gritty and at times it is difficult to read the words. Desperate - Antonio, a father and husband lands a job and on the first day posting movie billboard posters, the bicycle is stolen! Antonio frantically scours the streets and his little son Bruno tenderly tags along to recover the stolen bicycle. Now keep in mind that lf and the rookie receptionist. Speaking of which, Teri Garr didn't impress me as the young and slightly dense Roberta Lincoln, whose personality consisted of an annoying meld of ditzy naivete and "whoa, far out, man"-style hippiness. She also has way-too-easy access to her new boss' hi-tech equipment, which she always seems to discover by accident. The addition of the shape-shifting feline Isis and her pathetically fake Z . Result: Lousy B-movie scripts. Only 5-6 episodes are truly good.<BR> But then Seasons 2-5 arrive, and the series truly shines. This is the CORE of the Babylon 5 story. a two-parter which essentially brings cl own uncut, widescreen versions on DVD Buy The Bicycle Thief at Amazon.com Buy posters at Allposters.com Jamster - the latest ringtones for your phone!  Search with Walhello on the Internet on The Bicycle Thief Search with the Priority Search Engine on The Bicycle Thief This page in other languages: Suomeksi | Nederlands | Deutsch
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