“Remains one of art film's most powerful gateway drugs, still haunting in its painful simplicity, laced with the unforgettable behavioral moments that may be De Sica's greatest claim to posterity.” - Michael Atkinson, The Village Voice
“A wholly satisfying film in that de Sica has so simplified and mastered the mechanics of the job that nothing stands between you and his intention.” - Richard Winnington, Sight & Sound
“This is possibly the greatest depiction of a relationship between a father and son in the history of cinema, and it's an awesome heartbreaker.” - Jonathan Rosenbaum, The Chicago Reader
Deceptively simple and inexhaustibly rich in the manner of a true masterpiece, De Sica’s neorealist classic remains one of the most influential movies in film history. (The Chinese BEIJING BICYCLE and the Iranian CHILDREN OF HEAVEN are just two recent films heavily indebted to it.) A proud but desperate man and his adoring son set out through the labyrinth of postwar Rome in search of the stolen bicycle upon which the father’s livelihood depends. (MR) Screened as part of our 2002 Kudos to Kino: 25 Years of Classic and Cutting-Edge Cinema series.
Awards & Nominations
Winner -1949 Locarno International Film Festival Special Prize of the Jury
Winner - 1950 BAFTA Best Film from any Source
Winner - 1949 New York Film Critics Circle Awards Best Foreign Language Film
Nominee - 1950 Academy Awards Best Screenplay
25 For 25
To celebrate 25 years on State Street, the 25 For 25 series revisits standout titles from our State Street history, spotlighting films that have lit up our screens since 2001 and reflecting on the Siskel Film Center’s programming legacy. Each selection connects to a past Siskel program, highlighting the Siskel Film Center’s long-standing commitment to diverse and innovative curation.
The Film Center is ADA accessible. This presentation will be projected without open captions. The theater is hearing-loop equipped. For accessibility requests, please email filmcenter@saic.edu