Bicycle Thieves is a classic neorealist film exposing the poverty, desperation, and frustration following World War II in Italy. Like many neorealist films, Bicycle Thieves used non-actors for its characters and filmed on location using natural lighting. The story follows Antonio Ricci as he seeks a job to support his family and then his quest to reclaim the bicycle that was stolen from him on his first day of work. Bicycle Thieves illustrates many important themes that are as relevant today as they were at its release in 1948. Common human struggles to find employment during difficult times, community solidarity, and the nature of morality are all explored in the film.
In Bicycle Thieves’ penultimate scene, protagonist Antonio Ricci and his son, Bruno Ricci are faced with a difficult dilemma. As Antonio’s job and future in jeopardy without a bicycle, he is presented an opportunity to steal a bike from an unknown fan watching a football match at the stadium. While the Ricci’s face tough socioeconomic conditions, throughout the film, they are presented as fundamentally decent people that would never steal from their fellow man. In the scene however, Antonio tells his son to board a streetcar and not to watch him steal the bike, but Bruno ends up seeing his father’s actions. The scene is powerful not only as a climax for the film, but it demonstrates the immense power that poverty and despair have in turning moral and decent human beings into those contemplating criminal actions.
The scene also serves as a haunting juxtaposition compared to the previous bike theft perpetrated against Antonio at the beginning of the film. Instead of a rapid getaway, Antonio ponders whether or not to steal the bike and approaches it very slowly. Soon after he mounts the bicycle, cuts in the scene quicken and music intensifies. Shouting occurs and the viewer is drawn into a chase scene. Director, Vittorio De Sica cuts rapidly between wide shots of the chase, and close ups of Bruno’s reaction. The impact of poverty, economic distress, occasional child abuse can be plainly seen in Bruno’s expression and illustrates an important consequence of difficult conditions in post-war Italy on new generations. After Antonio is caught by pursuers accusing him of theft, Bruno’s love for his father is illustrated as he desperately pushes through the crowd. The scene climaxes as both Bruno and Antonio are in tears when they realize their fate. With no money, no job, and a possible criminal charge, the Ricci’s serve as metaphors for broader Italian society not seeing hope for the future. In Bicycle Thieves, masterful camera and editing techniques create a compelling neo-realist film for its political message and convincing story telling.
- Bicycle Thieves
Scene Analysis – Bicycle Theives
1 WS Static Antonio steals a bicycle; 25 sec.
Ominous music plays as Antonio approaches the bike, shouts of ‘thief’
2 WS Static Men from the street respond to shouts, chase Antonio; 2 sec.
Antonio steers away from pursuers
3 WS Zoom Out Antonio speeds away from chasers on stolen bike; 6 sec.
4 MS Truck Left Antonio bikes towards camera, passes shot into the street; 8 sec.
Men follow Antonio from every direction
5 CU Truck Right Bruno sees his father, looks puzzled and alarmed; 4 sec.
6 WS Pan Left Antonio rounds a bend still pedaling away from pursuers; 5 sec.
Antonio losing ground to people chasing him
7 MS Zoom In Pursuers catch up to Antonio, dismount him from bicycle; 6 sec.
8 MCU Static Bruno looks at scene in horror, runs towards his father; 3 sec.
9 MS Static Antonio is punched, beaten by crowd repeatedly; 5 sec.
Voice: “Here! I’ll teach you to steal bicycles!”
10 MS Truck Left Bruno desperately tries to reach his father through the crowd; 9 sec.
Bruno grabs his father’s hand, starts crying and shouts “Papa!”
