Bicycle Thieves

Year: 1948

Runtime: 89 mins

Language: Italian

Director: Vittorio De Sica

Drama

Unemployed Antonio finally secures a job hanging posters in war‑torn Rome, but on his first day his bicycle—essential for the work—is stolen. He and his young son scour the city to locate the thief, confronting desperation and the harsh realities of post‑war life.

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Timeline & Setting – Bicycle Thieves (1948)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Bicycle Thieves (1948). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Last Updated: December 10, 2025 at 12:32

Main Characters – Bicycle Thieves (1948)

Meet the key characters of Bicycle Thieves (1948), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Last Updated: December 10, 2025 at 12:32

Major Themes – Bicycle Thieves (1948)

Explore the central themes of Bicycle Thieves (1948), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

Last Updated: December 10, 2025 at 12:32

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Movies with desperate searches like Bicycle Thieves

Stories where a single, crucial object leads to a moral and emotional downfall.If you were captivated by the futile search in Bicycle Thieves, explore these similar movies. This collection features powerful dramas where a character's desperate quest for something vital leads them through a bleak world, testing their morality and ending in heartbreaking realizations.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a linear, goal-oriented structure where the protagonist's entire world hinges on a single, tangible objective. As the search progresses, the initial hope erodes, revealing the oppressive nature of their environment and forcing them into difficult moral choices that often result in a tragic or sad ending.

Why These Movies?

They are grouped by their shared core of a futile quest, a heavy emotional weight, and a bleak tone that examines human desperation. The pacing is steady and deliberate, immersing the viewer in the character's escalating anxiety and the grim reality that surrounds them.

Father-son drama movies similar to Bicycle Thieves

Emotional stories where a father and son face hardship together, deepening their connection.For viewers who appreciated the powerful father-son dynamic in Bicycle Thieves, this list highlights other moving films. Discover stories where a paternal relationship is tested and deepened through shared hardship, featuring emotional weight, steady pacing, and a focus on familial bonds in difficult times.

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Narrative Summary

The plot uses a central conflict or journey as a catalyst to explore the father-son relationship. The child often serves as a moral compass or an innocent witness to the father's struggles, creating a powerful dynamic where protection, sacrifice, and shared vulnerability redefine their bond by the story's end.

Why These Movies?

These films share a heavy emotional core driven by the paternal relationship, a steady character-driven pace, and a tone that ranges from melancholic to bittersweet. The focus is on the emotional journey and the subtle, often unspoken, development of the bond between father and child.

Unlock the Full Story of Bicycle Thieves

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Bicycle Thieves Summary

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Bicycle Thieves Timeline

Track the full timeline of Bicycle Thieves with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Bicycle Thieves Spoiler-Free Summary

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More About Bicycle Thieves

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Bicycle Thieves: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

Similar Movies to Bicycle Thieves

Discover movies like Bicycle Thieves that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.