The Bicycle Thieves

There are very few films that shape every film made after it. People always talk about Citizen Kane in this way; I would consider the Matrix to be one of these as well. Well, the Bicycle Thieves is one of these as well.

A poor man out of work struggles to support his family. He finally finds a job that requires a bicycle of which he has none and sells his belongings to purchase one. He heads to work only to have it stolen on his very first day. Scanning the streets of Rome, he and his son wander through an endless sea of bikes and bike parts. Feeling so desperate, the father decides to steal one himself only to be caught losing his credibility with his son and his honor as a man.

While studying in England, I had the pleasure of taking an Italian cinema class that previewed many Italian films made in the 40’s and 50’s. While Hollywood was putting out great and glamorous classics like the Maltese Falcon and Casablanca, Italy was putting out films of a dark and gritty nature. Torn by the war raging on within their own borders, filmmakers made cheap, raw, and real films with real people and real situations that lacked the pretty Rita Hayworth or glamorous plots of Hollywood.

This is a film that every film buff should watch. The camera work is thoughtful and the acting is very good given the actors are not professional. You identify with the main character in his continual unfortunate circumstances; it’s hard to watch such charming people suffer. All in all it is inspirational but depressing.

7 of 10