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Bicycle Thieves (1948) Ladri di biciclette (original title) 93 min  -  Crime | Drama   -  13 December 1949 (USA) 8.5 Your rating:     -/10   Ratings: 8.5/10 from 38,179 users   Reviews: 165 user | 82 critic A man and his son search for a stolen bicycle vital for his job. Director: Vittorio De Sica Writers: Luigi Bartolini (novel), Cesare Zavattini, and 5 more credits » Stars: Lamberto Maggiorani, Enzo Staiola and Lianella Carell

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Cast

Complete credited cast:
	Lamberto Maggiorani	...	Antonio Ricci
	Enzo Staiola	...	Bruno Ricci
	Lianella Carell	...	Maria Ricci
	Gino Saltamerenda	...	Baiocco
	Vittorio Antonucci	...	The Thief
	Giulio Chiari	...	The Beggar
	Elena Altieri	...	The Charitable Lady
	Carlo Jachino	...	A Beggar
	Michele Sakara	...	Secretary of the Charity Organization
	Emma Druetti
	Fausto Guerzoni	...	Amateur Actor

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Storyline

A poor young father in postwar-ravaged Rome who finally finds work putting up Rita Hayworth posters around town, only to have his precious bicycle stolen the first day on the job. In a light moment as the father and his young son chase after the thief, the boy attempts to relieve himself against a wall, and his father lets him know they don't have time for that. In another scene, the father tracks the thief into the kitchen of a brothel. Written by alfiehitchie  
Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

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Plot Keywords:

Bicycle | Thief | Job | Search | Brothel  | See more »

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Genres:

Crime | Drama

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Parents Guide:

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Details

Country:

Italy

Language:

Italian

Release Date:

13 December 1949 (USA) See more »

Also Known As:

Fahrraddiebe See more »

Filming Locations:

Citta Valmelaina, Via Salaria, Rome, Lazio, Italy See more »

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Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$11,845 (USA) (4 October 1998) (1 Screen) (reissue)

Gross:

$332,930 (USA) (5 September 1999)

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Company Credits

Production Co:

Produzioni De Sica See more »

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Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min  | Spain: 80 min (DVD edition)  | West Germany: 88 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

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Did You Know?

Trivia

Lead actor Lamberto Maggiorani really did struggle for work after this film was completed. See more »

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Quotes

La Santona: [Addressing a young man seated before her, apparently seeking advice on his love life] You must plant your seeds in another field. Do you understand what I mean?
Young man seeking advice: No, I don't understand.
La Santona: It's simple, my boy. What good is planting seeds if the soil rejects them? You plant, but don't gather. Understand?
Young man seeking advice: I haven't understood a word.
La Santona: [Becoming impatient] She doesn't love you! Forget her!
La Santona: [Pausing for effect] Dear boy, you're very ugly. Yes, ugly. There are so many other women... Go and plow another field!
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Connections

Referenced in "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Episode #18.95" (2010) See more »

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