The Bicycle Thieves
Rated # 33 on the British Film Institute’s list of Best Films of All Time, The Bicycle Thieves takes place in economically-impoverished, post-World War II Italy. With limited funds available for cinematography or actors, director Vittorio De Sica adopted the filmmaking method of neorealism out of necessity. Filmed primarily outside in natural sunlight with true-to-life characters, the story unfolds over three days in Rome.
A small crowd of men have gathered awaiting the morning’s announcement of job openings. Antonio Ricci (Lamberto Maggiorani) waits across the street from the others as if guarding himself against an optimism that could turn into disappointment if another day should pass without a job offer.
When Antonio’s name is called a friend hurries to rouse Antonio. He is given a job offer but shortly thereafter realizes the dilemma of needing his pawned bicycle for the job. With anxiety he rushes home to his wife.
Marie (Lianella Carell) strips the sheets, valued items from her dowry, from the bed and pawns them for money to redeem the bicycle for her husband. Antonio straps his folded uniform to the back of the bike, Marie climbs on the crossbar and happily they ride home.
Early the next morning their son Bruno (Enzo Staiola) takes a cloth and lovingly polishes the bicycle. Antonio and Bruno bid goodbye to Marie and the baby. Bruno takes his mother’s place on the bike and the contented pair rides into the city along a tree-lined street. After dropping off Bruno, Antonio begins his job of pasting movie posters onto the city walls.
Focusing his attention on smoothing out a poster, Antonio doesn’t notice two men approaching his bicycle that is leaning against the wall a few feet away. The younger man snatches the bicycle and rides off while the older man sends Antonio on a wild goose chase.
When Antonio arrives to collect Bruno, the child immediately senses that something is dreadfully wrong. Bruno is old enough to recognize the importance of the bicycle to the family’s stability but too young to take it for a ride alone. He is old enough to memorize the bicycle’s brand name and license number but too young to do more than tag along behind his father while he desperately searches for the stolen bicycle.
The unfolding plot of The Bicycle Thieves tells of a roller coaster ride of emotions for Antonio. But it is the reflection of these emotions in the face of Bruno that gives the movie its intensity of pathos for the poor man and his family.
Before entering his little apartment and telling Marie the bad news, Antonio visits a friend to discuss his situation. They determine that the best course of action will be to visit the bicycle market the next morning on the chance that it has been sold there.
Thus begins a day of hopes dashed in search for the bicycle. Early in the day Antonio sees a bicycle that looks like his but is not. As improbable as it seems, twice Antonio sees the thief. The first time he has the bike with him and is talking to an old man, but he races away as Antonio approaches him.
Pleading, bribery, nor threats will entice the old man give up any information about the thief. Antonio and Bruno follow the old man into a church where Antonio becomes more and more frustrated until he makes a scene in the sanctuary. The old man slips away, leaving Antonio in a state of near hysteria.
The evidence of unemployment and poverty surround Antonio everywhere he goes. There is a line of people at the pawn shop where a long row of bicycles and high stacks of sheets wait to be redeemed; two little boys beg for money from passersby on the sidewalk where Antonio hangs posters; the old man joins many other poor men at the church for worship and a meal at their charity soup kitchen. This atmosphere of despair is a constant reminder to Antonio of what he had escaped for a short time when luck favored him.
While searching by the river, Antonio instructs Bruno to wait for him by the bridge. When he hears people shouting that a boy is drowning, Antonio forgets all thoughts of the search and runs back in fear for Bruno. He finds Bruno waiting for him and with profound relief suggests that they stop for pizza.
For a short time father and son enjoy each others’ company over a modest meal as if they were two pals on an outing. This little celebration with wine and music contrasts the promise of security this family could have versus the threat of destitution they may have as a result of a chance encounter with a thief.
Antonio’s sad face returns when he remembers their task for the day. They leave the restaurant to take up the search once again.
For the second time they spot the thief, and this time he is walking without the bike. Antonio and Bruno give chase. But the thief has many friends who will vouch for him, and a search of his apartment by the police proves to be fruitless. Father and son walk away with all hopes dashed.
Hope can be an emotion in flux during a time of hardship. Even so, hope unfulfilled repeatedly can lead to desperation.
Not only does Bruno’s face mirror the emotions of the father. This child’s constant companionship to the fitful father gives an image to the helplessness of his situation. Just as Bruno runs after his father with no ability to bring about a solution, Antonio runs after a solution that cannot be realized.
In his desperation Antonio surrenders to a temptation he would have never considered otherwise. Not wanting his son to see his shameful act, Antonio sends the child away. In the end, it is the boy’s tearful emotions of sorrow, shame, fear and love for his father that reveal his empathy for this forsaken man on the crowded street.
The Bicycle Thieves was released in the UK with its original title but released in the US as The Bicycle Thief. In 1950 it received an Honorary Award from the Academy Board of Governors for the most outstanding foreign language film, several years before the Oscar category of Best Foreign Film was created.
This poignant film lays bare the heartache for those living in the aftermath of war and for those who must endure unemployment. But it is a loving son’s touching devotion that sweetens the tale and makes The Bicycle Thieves a movie classic not to be missed.