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.
Acting
Non-professional cast delivers devastating naturalism.
Direction
De Sica shoots Rome like a crime scene of poverty.
Cinematography
Black-and-white that breathes with documentary urgency.
Director
Vittorio De Sica
Lamberto Maggiorani
Antonio
Enzo Staiola
Bruno
Lianella Carell
Maria
Gino Saltamerenda
Baiocco
Vittorio Antonucci
Alfredo Catelli, The Thief
Giulio Chiari
The Beggar
Elena Altieri
The Charitable Lady
Eolo Capritti
Carabiniere (uncredited)
Fausto Guerzoni
Amateur Actor (uncredited)
Giulio Battiferri
Citizen Who Protects the Real Thief (uncredited)
Sergio Leone
A Seminary Student (uncredited)
Mario Meniconi
Meniconi, the Street Sweeper (uncredited)
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This IS Italian Neorealism. De Sica cast a real factory worker (Maggiorani) and an actual street kid he found watching the production.
The bicycle was never found in real life either—De Sica's screenwriter saw the theft happen. Art imitating theft imitating life.
IT
