OLDIE GOLDIES: Bicycle Thieves (1948)

This week on Oldie Goldies I give you a classic example of Italian neorealist cinema - 1948's "Bicycle Thieves". This story about a poor man trying to make it in post-war Italy is fairly straightforward, but there's much to like. The father-son relationship (played by non-actors) packs a real emotional gut-punch. The film was one of the first Foreign Language Oscar winners before it became an official category. In addition, the film managed to earn a nomination for Best Screenplay.

Classic Quote

"Your mother and her prayers can't help us."

Classic Scene

The Final Scene

Did you know?
When Bicycle Thieves was released in Italy, it was viewed with hostility and as portraying Italians in a negative way.

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