‘Bicycle thieves’ is an Italian film made back in 1948. Its’ about a man who has had he bike stolen and his journey on trying to retrieve it. He needs his bike because without it he cannot provide for his family. The film was given an Oscar in 1949 and has been called one of the greatest films ever made. ‘It is a little startling to visit it again after many years and realize that it is still alive and has strength and freshness.’ (Roger Ebert 1999). The film is played a huge part in the movement of cinema, and is still one of films greatest creation.
The film was directed by Vittorio De Sica. He was well known for being a perfectionist and this came across in this film. Everything had a reason nothing was accidentally done. Everything from the way the film was cut, to the position of the camera. To immerse himself in the idea of his film he visited brothels in the area before shooting. He did this because he was fascinated with the characters within his films. He once said ‘everyone can play one role perfectly. Within the film there is a wise woman who gives him guidance. This was the role he used the brothel for. He was known for casting non-professional actors and this film was no different.
The film is all about family, morals and right and wrong. The families goes on a journey together and make some smart decisions and also making some very poor discussions on the way. At many points in the film set in Rome the main character is put in scenarios were he can himself steal a bike. Which obviously questions his morals, because he would be doing what happened to him. It’s a constant battle between right and wrong. You don’t just go on a physical journey with them, you go on an emotional one too. The non-professional actors worked very well within the film. The film highlights the need for wealth from the main character and the economical depression in its time in Rome, which is represented well by Vittorio. The film flows well, and it’s an easy watch, which is quite surprising because many films within that genre and time can often be hard to follow and understand, but this had a clear message and meaning portrayed well throughout by a great director and well casted actors.
Bibliography
Ladri di biciclette (1948) Directed by Vittorio De Sica .
The bicycle thief movie review (1949) (1999) Directed by Vittorio De Sica, Roger Ebert, Chaz Ebert, Jana Monji, Brian Tallerico, Matt Fagerholm .
TheFunFlicks (2013) The bicycle thief | HD trailer. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqib1EaY5G8 (Accessed: 3 December 2015).
Citations, Quotes & Annotations
Ladri di biciclette (1948) Directed by Vittorio De Sica .
(De Sica, 1948)
The bicycle thief movie review (1949) (1999) Directed by Vittorio De Sica, Roger Ebert, Chaz Ebert, Jana Monji, Brian Tallerico, Matt Fagerholm .
(De Sica et al., 1999)
TheFunFlicks (2013) The bicycle thief | HD trailer. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqib1EaY5G8 (Accessed: 3 December 2015).
(TheFunFlicks, 2013)
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