VITTORIO DE SICA

Bil’s rating (out of 5): BBBB

Original title:  Ladri Di Biciclette

Alternate title:  The Bicycle Thief

Italy, 1948.  Produzioni De Sica.  Screenplay by Cesare Zavattini, Suso Cecchi D’Amico, Vittorio De Sica, Oreste Biancoli, Adolfo Franci, Gerardo Guerrieri, based on the novel by Luigi Bartolini.  Cinematography by Carlo Montuori.  Produced by Giuseppe Amato.  Music by Alessandro Cicognini.  Production Design by Antonio Traverso.  Film Editing by Eraldo Da Roma.  

An impoverished family in post-war Rome are saved from starvation when the father gets himself a job working as a telegraph delivery man. His wife hocks personal belongings to buy him a bicycle for his job, but their prosperity is short-lived when the vehicle is stolen by a random stranger.

Powerful stuff, with lots to say about the cycle of poverty that too many people find themselves trapped in, this is a beautifully sensitive film with great performances and excellent direction by Vittorio de Sica.

The Criterion Collection:  #374

Academy Award:  Special Foreign Language Film Award
Nomination: Best Screenplay

Golden Globe Award:  Best Foreign Language Film