Bicycle Thieves (1948): Cast, Box Office & Plot
Bicycle Thieves is a 1948 drama directed by Vittorio De Sica, starring Lamberto Maggiorani as Antonio, Lianella Carell and Enzo Staiola. It runs 1 hour 29 minutes and earned $458,962 worldwide.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 29m (89 min)
- Director
- Vittorio De Sica
- Genre
- Drama
- Original language
-
Italian - Studio
- Produzioni De Sica
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Bicycle Thieves About?
The premise of Bicycle Thieves without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Unemployed Antonio finally secures a job hanging posters in war‑torn Rome, but on his first day his bicycle—essential for the work—is stolen. He and his young son scour the city to locate the thief, confronting desperation and the harsh realities of post‑war life.
Bicycle Thieves Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- post world war two italy
- bicycle theft
- lack of money
- bicycle
- thief
- post war
- theft
- despair
- church
- riding a bicycle
- chase
- non professional cast
+38 more Show fewer
- city
- planting a seed
- catholic mass
- father slaps his son
- gentle cinema
- tragedy drama
- well
- europe
- crossing one's self
- child
- humanism
- working class
- search for a stolen bicycle
- band the musical group
- catholicism
- quest adventure
- 1940s
- 20th century
- urban adventure
- psychological drama
- financial drama
- arthouse
- capitalist nation
- anti labor laws
- earning
- emplyment in capitalism
- automation
- corporate profit
- classism in capitalism
- competition in capitalism
- capitalist economy
- acquisition
- central bank
- labor exploitation
- alienation
- anti labor
- asymmetry of power
- colonial war
Bicycle Thieves Cast & Characters
Lamberto Maggiorani leads the cast as Antonio, with Lianella Carell as Maria and Enzo Staiola as Bruno. Directed by Vittorio De Sica; 22 actors are credited in all.
-
Director Vittorio De Sica
- Lamberto Maggiorani as Antonio
- Lianella Carell as Maria
- Enzo Staiola as Bruno
- Checco Rissone as Guard in Piazza Vittorio (uncredited)
Also Starring in Bicycle Thieves
· 18 more- Giulio Battiferri Citizen Who Protects the Real Thief (uncredited)
- Vittorio Antonucci Alfredo Catelli, The Thief
- Giulio Chiari The Beggar
- Elena Altieri The Charitable Lady
- Sergio Leone A Seminary Student (uncredited)
- Eolo Capritti Carabiniere (uncredited)
- Memmo Carotenuto
- Mario Meniconi Meniconi, the Street Sweeper (uncredited)
- Nando Bruno
- Fausto Guerzoni Amateur Actor (uncredited)
- Piero Heliczer A Young Boy (uncredited)
- Umberto Spadaro
- Michele Sakara Secretary of the Charity Organization
- Peppino Spadaro Police Officer (uncredited)
- Gino Saltamerenda Baiocco
- Massimo Randisi Rich Kid in Restaurant (uncredited)
Show all 22 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Carlo Jachino A Beggar
- Emma Druetti
More from Vittorio De Sica
More films directed by Vittorio De Sica, best-rated first: Miracle in Milan, Umberto D (re-release), The Voyage and A Brief Vacation.
Bicycle Thieves Plot Summary
What happens in Bicycle Thieves from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In post-World War II Rome, Antonio Ricci Ricci (as the character) desperately needs work to support his wife Maria and their two dependents, his young son Bruno along with a small baby. To keep the family afloat, he accepts a job offering that promises regular pay, but the position requires a bicycle, something they cannot easily spare. When Maria offers a practical solution, she sells prized dowry bedsheets to redeem Antonio’s bicycle, underscoring the fragile balance of a family stretched to its limits. The scene establishes a quiet, aching realism that will thread through every subsequent moment.
Full summary
The whole story of Bicycle Thieves, scene by scene
Bicycle Thieves Box Office
Bicycle Thieves grossed $458,962 worldwide. $371,111 came from the US and Canada and $81,753 (18%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$459K
- US & Canada
- $371.1K
- International
- $81.8K
Bicycle Thieves Trailers & Videos
3 videos: 1 trailer and 2 featurettes.
- Featurette Enzo Staiola on BICYCLE THIEVES
- Featurette Suso Cecchi D'Amico on BICYCLES THIEVES
How Well Do You Know Bicycle Thieves?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
In which city does the story take place?
Bicycle Thieves Also Known As
37 alternative titles, including “The Bicycle Thieves” and “The Bicycle Thief”.
- Also known as
-
- The Bicycle Thieves
- The Bicycle Thief
- Крадії велосипедів
- Fietsendieven
- Cykeltjuven
- Bicycle Thief
- Fahrraddiebe
- Voleur de bicyclette
- Kleftis podilaton
- 자전거 도둑
- Ladrón de bicicletas
- Ladrões de Bicicleta
+25 more Show fewer
- Le voleur de bicyclette
- Крадљивци бицикала
- Złodzieje rowerów
- Zloději kol
- Zlodeji bicyklov
- Velosipēdu zagļi
- Sykkeltyvene
- Ladrones de bicicletas
- Похитители велосипедов
- Ladrões de Bicicletas
- 偷自行车的人
- Bisiklet Hırsızları
- Κλέφτης ποδηλάτων
- Biciklitolvajok
- Hoți de biciclete
- Крадци на велосипеди
- גונבי האופניים
- Викрадачі велосипедів
- Polkupyörävaras
- Cykeltyven
- 單車失竊記
- 自転車泥棒
- Dviračių vagys, ველოსიპედის გამტაცებელნი
- El lladre de bicicletes
- จอมโจรจักรยาน
Seen Bicycle Thieves?
Movies Like Bicycle Thieves
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Bicycles Are for the Summer, The Stolen Children and Stolen Days.
-
Bicycles Are for the Summer 1984 -
The Stolen Children 1992 -
Stolen Days 2019 -
La Strada 1954 -
The Child 2005 -
Umberto D. 1952 -
A Thief and a Gentleman 1986 -
The Tree of Wooden Clogs 1978 -
Rocco and His Brothers 1960 -
A Boy from Calabria 1987 -
Tulipani: Love, Honour and a Bicycle 2017 -
A Peasant on a Bicycle 1974
Bicycle Thieves FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, post-credit scenes and language of Bicycle Thieves, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Bicycle Thieves?
Bicycle Thieves runs 1 hour 29 minutes (89 minutes).
When was Bicycle Thieves released?
Bicycle Thieves was released on July 21, 1948.
Who directed Bicycle Thieves?
Bicycle Thieves was directed by Vittorio De Sica.
More films by Vittorio De Sica Who is in the cast of Bicycle Thieves?
Bicycle Thieves stars Lamberto Maggiorani as Antonio, Lianella Carell as Maria and Enzo Staiola as Bruno, among 22 credited actors.
How much did Bicycle Thieves make at the box office?
Bicycle Thieves grossed $458,962 worldwide ($371,111 domestic, $81,753 international).
Does Bicycle Thieves have a post-credit scene?
No. Bicycle Thieves has no extra scene during or after the credits.
What language is Bicycle Thieves in?
The original language of Bicycle Thieves is Italian.
Coming soon to your phone
The Plot Explained Movie Summary App
From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.
Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app
