Bicycle Thief

Movie: Bicycle Thief, 1948; 93 min

Director: Vittorio De Sica

Actors: Lamberto Maggiorani, Enzo Staiola, Lianella Carell, Vittorio Antonucci

Summary:

An Italian man needs a bicycle in order to carry out his job. When his bicycle is stolen, he and his son set out to find it and the person who stole it.

Question 1: What aspects of Italian Neo-realism are exhibited throughout the film? State specific examples.

            Throughout the film, both thematic and visual realist techniques are exhibited. For example, a majority of the camera shots are in deep focus. When the man is walking through the streets looking for his bicycle, everything is in focus to show the audience that everything going on in the background is important. The story is also focused around daily activities. It revolves around an average, Italian man who must work in order to provide for his family. The movie shows the busy streets, men working, children wandering the streets, and many more daily activities. The film has a lose structure which leads the plot to evolve slowly. Also, through the man’s struggles in searching for his bike, the audience has a compassionate feeling towards the man and his situation. An effect of realist movies is usually evoking compassion for the characters in the film.

Question 2: What effect does the “endless” ending have on the audience’s perception of the film as a whole?

            The typical ending to realist films is the “endless” ending, which is apparent in Bicycle Thief. The film follows a man as he desperately searches for his bicycle and the man who stole it. In the end, the man attempts to steal someone else’s bicycle but is caught. His son witnesses the entire thing, and the man feels ashamed that he resorted to stealing from someone else. The film ends with the man crying and holding his son’s hand as they walk with a crowd. The viewer can see the backs of the crowd, but it is unknown where they are going. This makes the ending endless because the audience has no idea what will happen next, just like the man does not know his future. This type of ending makes the audience think beyond the end of the film. It makes the viewers wonder what will happen next, and it keeps them thinking about the film after it finishes.