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Trailer

Bicycle Thieves

1948Movie1 h 29 minNR

Drama
92
ExcellentGoodWatch score
IMDb8.2Rotten Tomatoes99%94%

A deeply moving, relentlessly bleak drama movie about everyday modern life and history, with standout direction and performances.

Good for thought-provoking · adults · partner watch

Skip it if you want something to laugh at · you need an uplifting mood · you want fast pacing

Where to watch

Fingerprint

Not for laughs, scares or warmth.

Movies with

Story

The Prize Picture They Want to Censor!

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.

Feels like

  • Italian Neorealism
  • Post-War Rome
  • Socio-Economic Struggle
  • Father-Son Bond
  • Heartbreaking Drama
  • Gritty Realism
  • Quest Narrative
  • Everyman Tragedy
  • Social Injustice

Cast

17 of 17

Crew

Directed by
Vittorio De Sica
Written by
Oreste Biancoli, Vittorio De Sica, Cesare Zavattini
Produced by
Vittorio De Sica, Giuseppe Amato
Music by
Alessandro Cicognini

Everyone

Pick a department, or search for a name or a job (“editor”, “stunt”).

Facts

July 21, 1948 · 1 h 29 min · NR

Released
July 21, 1948
Runtime
1 h 29 min
Age rating
NR
Content
Disturbing Imagery
Genres
Drama
Original language
Italian
Made in
Italy
Budget
$133,000
Box office
$450,159
Available in
94 countries

Tropes

Heroic BSoD, Hope Spot, Karma Houdini +9

  • Heroic BSoD
  • Hope Spot
  • Karma Houdini
  • Yank the Dog's Chain
  • Cool Shades
  • Disappointed in You
  • Throw the Dog a Bone
  • Red Herring
  • Shamed by a Mob
  • Off-into-the-Distance Ending
  • Broken Tears
  • Extremely Short Timespan

12 of 26 tropes. From TV Tropes.

Q&A

6 questions, like "Where can I stream Bicycle Thieves?"

Questions about Bicycle Thieves

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Bicycle Thieves?

PrimeHBO MaxKanopyCriterionAmazon Prime Video Free with AdsTubi TVAmazon MX Player

In the United States, Bicycle Thieves streams on Prime, HBO Max, and Criterion, and it is free with ads on Kanopy, Amazon Prime Video Free with Ads, Tubi TV, and Amazon MX Player. You can rent or buy it from Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. It also streams in 56 other countries.

Is Bicycle Thieves worth watching?

92
ExcellentGoodWatch score

Yes, it's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 92 (IMDb 8.2 and Rotten Tomatoes 99%). Critics rate it higher (99 out of 100) than audiences (88).

Is Bicycle Thieves plot-driven or character-driven?

CharactersPlot

Mostly character-driven: it leans on character depth (9 of 10) and pathos (9 of 10) more than on its plot.

Will I feel good after watching Bicycle Thieves?

BleakHopeful

Probably not: the title analysis rates it 9 of 10 for bleakness and 8 for melancholy, against 3 for hopefulness.

Is Bicycle Thieves in English?

Italian

No, it was made in Italian.

What tropes does Bicycle Thieves use?

Heroic BSoDHope SpotKarma HoudiniYank the Dog's ChainCool ShadesDisappointed in YouThrow the Dog a BoneRed HerringShamed by a MobOff-into-the-Distance EndingBroken TearsExtremely Short Timespanand 14 more

TV Tropes lists 26 tropes for it, including Heroic BSoD, Hope Spot, and Karma Houdini.