Discussion: Ladri di biciclette (Bicycle Thieves) (Vittorio De Sica, 1948, Italy)

99 unread replies.1111 replies.

Consider the following questions about Vittorio De Sica’s Bicycle Thieves (1948) and share your comments in the thread below. Continue checking the discussion threads to read your classmates comments. Find opportunities to reply with your thoughts to their posts, so we can have a mutual exchange of ideas and engage in discussion together about the film. At the end of the week, your instructor will post additional research from various critics and film reviews, so be sure to view those as well.

How would you apply the tenets of Italian Neorealism to this film? Cite specific examples from the film to support your conclusions.

How did the use of black and white impact the storytelling? How might have the film been viewed differently in color?

What might be the purpose of the ambiguity in the film with reference to the outcome of events?

What questions, if any, do you have about the material from this unit?

POST 1

And reply this student:Antonia CupicWednesdaySep 22 at 9:34pmManage Discussion EntryHow would you apply the tenets of Italian Neorealism to this film? Cite specific examples from the film to support your conclusions.- actual real life sets no studios – stories of poor working class – use of random peopleMany of the tenets of Italian Neorealism can be seen in this film however I personally enjoyed the social issue it focused on, filming locations, and use of non-professional actors. This era of cinema focused on telling real life stories of what Italians had gone through, aiming for more of an emotional appeal from the audience. In this film,  they chose the struggle with crime, unemployment, and trying to make ends meet during such hard times to showcase what life was like for many at this time. The use of filming locations helped with the storytelling even more as it was real, alive places. The streets were filmed with regular, everyday Italians and on real streets. Had this been filmed on a set where the streets are fake and even the background people were actors, it would have taken away the realness of the film. To add on, the use of non-professional actors also helped this cause as well. How did the use of black and white impact the storytelling? How might have the film been viewed differently in color?I believe black and white is essential to telling the story. The use of this kind of effect really gives a sense that the movie and the time in which its taking place is old. Aside from that, black and white also helped with feeling more empathy for what the characters are going through as many correlate the use of black and white to ideas of sadness. If this movie was adapted to be viewed in color, I think it would take away from the story and setting in which this story took place. For example, the Wizard of Oz was re-released in color since it was such a fun, fantasy filled movie; something you would want to see in color. However, when you think of somebody suffering from unemployment, it is not really the type of movie you would want to see with bright, happy colors. What might be the purpose of the ambiguity in the film with reference to the outcome of events?I think the purpose of the ambiguity in the film is also yet another aspect under Neorealism that fits in this movie. As it ended with the audience not knowing what would next happen to our main characters, it leaves you up to decide on what could have happened next. Like what Neorealism aims for, they want you to see what life was like for these people and the struggles they went through, constantly thinking through out the movie: What would I do?