Bicycle Thieves
Ladri di biciclette
“The Prize Picture They Want to Censor!”
Synopsis
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.
Trailers, Teasers & Extra Featurettes
Official promotional previews, behind-the-scenes footage, and exclusive clips.
Bicycle Thieves (1948) Trailer #1
Type: Trailer • Published 2018-02-08
Top Cast
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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
Carlo Jachino
A Beggar
Michele Sakara
Secretary of the Charity Organization
Emma Druetti
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)
Checco Rissone
Guard in Piazza Vittorio (uncredited)
Peppino Spadaro
Police Officer (uncredited)
Nando Bruno
(uncredited)
Release History & Theatrical Window
Locarno Film Festival
Festival / Special Debut
January 1, 1999
Wide Cinema Exhibition
April 28, 2006
Physical Home Media
Financials & Box Office Performance
Production Budget
$133K
Filming & production cost
Worldwide Gross
$450K
Total global ticket sales
Box Office Return
3.38x
+$317K net gain
Theatrical Status
Mega Hit
Box office tier
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Vittorio De Sica
- Screenplay & Story
- Cesare Zavattini, Adolfo Franci, Suso Cecchi d'Amico, Oreste Biancoli, Gerardo Guerrieri, Vittorio De Sica, Gherardo Gherardi
- Original Score
- Alessandro Cicognini
- Original Title
- Ladri di biciclette
- Country of Origin
- Italy
- Spoken Languages
- Italian
- Runtime
- 1h 29m
- Production Budget
- $133K
- Worldwide Gross
- $450K
- Production Studios
- Produzioni De Sica
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Vittorio De Sica
Cesare Zavattini, Adolfo Franci, Suso Cecchi d'Amico, Oreste Biancoli, Gerardo Guerrieri, Vittorio De Sica, Gherardo Gherardi, Luigi Bartolini
Alessandro Cicognini
Carlo Montuori
Eraldo Da Roma
Vittorio De Sica, Giuseppe Amato
Department Leadership Roster
Cesare Zavattini
Screenplay
Adolfo Franci
Screenplay
Eraldo Da Roma
Editor
Suso Cecchi d'Amico
Screenplay
Alessandro Cicognini
Original Music Composer
Antonio Traverso
Production Design
Oreste Biancoli
Screenplay
Gerardo Guerrieri
Screenplay
Vittorio De Sica
Screenplay
Vittorio De Sica
Director
Vittorio De Sica
Producer
Giuseppe Amato
Producer
Gherardo Gherardi
Screenplay
Carlo Montuori
Director of Photography
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
NR: Not Rated — Evaluated outside standard classification boards.
International Certification Matrix
Parental Guidance — Recommended for mature viewers.
FSK 12 — Restricted to viewers aged 12 and older.
Tous publics — Universal audience.
Universal — Suitable for all audiences.
Not Rated — Evaluated outside standard classification boards.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for Bicycle Thieves.
Featured In Curated Collections
Editorial lists, community rankings, and cinematic collections featuring Bicycle Thieves.
European Cinema
Auto-generated by festival-lists — do not edit by hand.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Bicycle Thieves
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is Bicycle Thieves about?
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.
Who directed Bicycle Thieves?
Bicycle Thieves was directed by Vittorio De Sica.
Who stars in Bicycle Thieves?
The principal cast of Bicycle Thieves includes Lamberto Maggiorani, Enzo Staiola, Lianella Carell, Gino Saltamerenda, Vittorio Antonucci.
When was Bicycle Thieves released and how long is it?
Bicycle Thieves was released in 1948 with a total runtime of 1h 29m.
What was the box office and production budget of Bicycle Thieves?
Bicycle Thieves had a reported production budget of $133K and grossed $450K at the worldwide box office (3.38 return on budget, classified as a blockbuster success).
Who composed the musical score for Bicycle Thieves?
The original motion picture soundtrack for Bicycle Thieves was composed by Alessandro Cicognini.
Is Bicycle Thieves based on a book or true story?
Bicycle Thieves is adapted from the following source material: Novel: "Luigi Bartolini".
What is the age rating and content advisory for Bicycle Thieves?
Bicycle Thieves holds official age classifications: AU: PG (Parental Guidance — Recommended for mature viewers.); DE: 12 (FSK 12 — Restricted to viewers aged 12 and older.); FR: U (Tous publics — Universal audience.); GB: U (Universal — Suitable for all audiences.); US: NR (Not Rated — Evaluated outside standard classification boards.).