Bicycle Thieves
1948 · Movie · NR · 89 min · ★ 8.2 · 94% critics
Unemployed in postwar Rome, a man finally lands work that requires his bicycle, only for it to be stolen on his first day. Now his job and his family’s stability depend on finding the thief, so he and his son scour the city in a desperate, justice-seeking search.
Also known as The Bicycle Thieves · The Bicycle Thief · Bicycle Thief
Where to watch
Streaming on HBO Max.
1 hour to watch.
Stream (included)
Streaming availability and prices may be inaccurate or change — verify with the provider before subscribing.
unSUB's subscription recommendations are informational only, not financial advice.
More value for your money
Similar titles, ranked by watch-hours per subscription dollar.
Details
- Original title
- Ladri di biciclette
- Years
- 1948
- Release date
- 1948-07-21
- Language
- Italian
- Rated
- NR
- Runtime
- 89 min
- Critic score
- 94/100
- TMDB rating
- 8.2/10 (2,661 votes)
- Budget
- $133,000
About
You’ll like this if you want a powerful, human postwar drama with mounting desperation and a father-and-son bond, like in Shoeshine and Umberto D; Not for you if you dislike bleak stories or slow-paced tension.
Pros: heartbreaking father-son chase; grounded postwar atmosphere; standout natural performances | Cons: slow, repetitive search; bleak, depressing tone; subtitles required
Themes
- rome, italy
- italian
- society
- riding a bicycle
- search
- poster
- thief
- black and white
- stolen bicycle
- madame
- unemployment
- realism
- +2 more
Awards & recognition
- Academy Honorary Award
- National Board of Review Award — Best Film
- National Board of Review: Top Ten Films
- Academy Award — Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay · 1950 · nominated
- BAFTA Award — Best Film · 1950 · nominated
Show all 6 awards →
- Golden Globe Award — Best Non-English Language Film · 1949 · nominated
Cast & crew
Lamberto Maggiorani
as Antonio
Enzo Staiola
as Bruno
Lianella Carell
as Maria
Gino Saltamerenda
as Baiocco
Vittorio Antonucci
as Alfredo Catelli, The Thief
Giulio Chiari
as The Beggar
Elena Altieri
as The Charitable Lady
- CJ
Carlo Jachino
as A Beggar
- MS
Michele Sakara
as Secretary of the Charity Organization
- ED
Emma Druetti
Directed by Vittorio De Sica