Vittorio de Sica's The Bicycle Thief

(aka "The Bicycle Thief" or "Bicycle Thieves")

Italy 1948

Hailed around the world as one of the greatest movies ever made, Vittorio De Sica's Academy Award-winning Bicycle Thieves (Ladri di biciclette) defined an era in cinema. In postwar, poverty-stricken Rome, a man, hoping to support his desperate family with a new job, loses his bicycle, his main means of transportation for work. With his wide-eyed young son in tow, he sets off to track down the thief. Simple in construction and dazzlingly rich in human insight, Bicycle Thieves embodied all the greatest strengths of the neorealist film movement in Italy: emotional clarity, social righteousness, and brutal honesty.

***

Vittorio De Sica's remarkable 1947 drama of desperation and survival in Italy's devastating post-war depression earned a special Oscar for its affecting power. Shot in the streets and alleys of Rome, De Sica uses the real-life environment of contemporary life to frame his moving drama of a desperate father whose new job delivering cinema posters is threatened when a street thief steals his bicycle. Too poor to buy another, he and his son take to the streets in an impossible search for his bike. Cast with nonactors and filled with the real street life of Rome, this landmark film helped define the Italian neorealist approach with its mix of real life details, poetic imagery, and warm sentimentality. De Sica uses the wandering pair to witness the lives of everyday folks, but ultimately he paints a quiet, poignant portrait of father and son, played by nonprofessionals Lamberto Maggiorani and Enzo Staiola, whose understated performances carry the heart of the film. De Sica and scenarist Cesare Zavattini also collaborated on Shoeshine, Miracle in Milan, and Umberto D, all classics in the neorealist vein, but none of which approach the simple poetry and quiet power achieved in The Bicycle Thief.

Posters

Theatrical Release: November 4th, 1948 - Italy

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DVD Comparison:

Criterion (2-disc) - Region 1 - NTSC vs. Arrow Film - Region 0 - PAL vs. Image - Region 0 - NTSC vs. Film Sans Frontieres - Region 0 - NTSC

Big thanks to Pavel Borodin for the Films Sans Frontieres Screen Caps!

(Criterion - Region 1- NTSC TOP LEFT vs. Arrow Films - Region 0 - PAL TOP RIGHT vs. Image - Region 0 - NTSC - BOTTOM LEFT vs. Films sans Frontieres - Region 0 - NTSC - BOTTOM RIGHT)

DVD Box Covers
Distribution	Criterion Collection - Spine # 374 Region 1 - NTSC	Arrow Film Distribution Region 0 - PAL

Image Entertainment

Region 0 - NTSC

Films Sans Frontieres
Region 0 - NTSC

Distribution	Criterion Collection - Spine # 374 Region 1 - NTSC	Arrow Film Distribution Region 0 - PAL	Image Entertainment Region 0 - NTSC	Films Sans Frontieres Region 0 - NTSC
Runtime	1:29:06	1:26:36 (4% PAL speedup)	1:28:54	1:24:42
Video	1.33:1 Original Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: 9.11 mb/s NTSC 704x480 29.97 f/s	1.33:1 Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: 5.88 mb/s PAL 720x576 25.00 f/s	1.37:1 Original Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: 6.30 mb/s NTSC 704x480 29.97 f/s	1.37:1 Original Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: 6.29 NTSC 704x480 29.97 f/s
	NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.
Bitrate: Criterion
Bitrate: Arrow
Bitrate: Image
Bitrate: Films Sans Frontieres
Audio	Italian (Dolby Digital 1.0), DUB: English (Dolby Digital 1.0)	Italian (Dolby Digital 2.0)	Italian (Dolby Digital 1.0), DUB: English (Dolby Digital 1.0)	Italian (Dolby Digital 1.0), French (Dolby Digital 1.0)
Subtitles	English, and none	English, and none	English (non removable when Italian audio is chosen)	English, Spanish, French and none
Features	Release Information: Studio: Criterion Aspect Ratio: Full Screen (Standard) - 1.33:1 Edition Details: • Working with De Sica, a collection of new interviews with screenwriter Suso Cecchi D'Amico, actor Enzo Staiola (Bruno), and film scholar Callisto Cosulich (22:40) • Life as It Is, a new program on the history of Italian neorealism in cinema, with scholar Mark Shiel (39:52) • Documentary on screenwriter and longtime Vittorio De Sica collaborator Cesare Zavattini, directed by Carlo Lizzani (55:36) • 65-page book with multiple essays. DVD Release Date: February 13th, 2007 3 -tiered Digipack inside cardboard box (see images below) Chapters 20	Release Information: Studio: Arrow Films Aspect Ratio: Full Screen (Standard) - 1.37:1 Edition Details: • Timeless Cinema - a Documentary on Vittorio de Sica (54:32) • Poster, Artwork and Lobby Stills • Theatrical trailer DVD Release Date: February 20th, 2006 Transparent Keep Case Chapters ?	Release Information: Studio: Image Entertainment Aspect Ratio: Full Screen (Standard) - 1.37:1 Edition Details: • Theatrical trailer (3:56) • Biographies/Filmographies of De Sica and this film DVD Release Date: July 22, 1998 Snapper Case Chapters 14	Release Information: Studio: Films Sans Frontieres Aspect Ratio: Full Screen (Standard) - 1.37:1 Edition Details: • Filmography, Film notes DVD Release Date: ? Keep Case Chapters 10

Criterion Package

Comments:

ADDITION: Criterion - February -07:

NOTE: Criterion have chosen to use the UK title, Bicycle Thieves, rather than the US one - The Bicycle Thief. The UK translation is considered by many vitally more accurate and germane to the narrative intent. Personally, I think it was an imperative.

Before we launch into our accolades, sadly the Criterion transfer is again pictureboxed (see our description of 'pictureboxing' in our Kind Hearts and Coronets review). With an earlier spine #, Paul Robeson: Portraits of the Artist, not being pictureboxed many fans had high expectations that the highly important film Bicycle Thieves would avoid this practice. Unfortunately in many cases cineophile's hopes have been dashed.

On the positive the Criterion image is stronger than we have ever seen De Sica's masterpiece on digital before - brighter, sharper, better contrast - far less damage marks (or far lesser in intensity). It has an atmospheric bitrate of 9.11 mb/s. Perhaps not as dramatic a DVD improvement as, say, 'Late Spring' over previous releases - it still deserves strong recognition and a great vote of thanks for Criterion's efforts.

The often problematic audio (Italian mono) even sounds superior to my tin ear. The Criterion package states 'The soundtrack was mastered at 24-bit from the 35mm optical soundtrack, and audio restoration tools were used to reduce clicks, pops, hiss, and crackle.' An English DUB soundtrack is optionally included (like the Image Entertainment DVD) but this reviewer did not test it.

Extras are not as extensive as one might have hoped - no commentary and the first disc houses only the feature film. On Disc 2 there are three featurettes (almost 2 hours in total) - each offered with optional English subtitles. Working with De Sica lasts about 22 minutes and is a collection of interviews with screenwriter Suso Cecchi D'Amico, actor Enzo Staiola (Bruno), and film scholar Callisto Cosulich. I found it enjoyable and interesting. Life as It Is runs about 40 minutes giving good background on the history of Italian neorealism hosted by scholar Mark Shiel. Finally there is an hour-long documentary simply called Cesare Zavattini about the screenwriter and longtime Vittorio De Sica collaborator. It is directed by Carlo Lizzani and has input from many sources. Scenarist Cesare Zavattini also collaborated on Shoeshine, Miracle in Milan, and Umberto D, each highly regarded classics in the neorealist vein. The featurettes make a keen base for learning about De Sica's legendary film expressions and the man himself. Included in the package is an 80-page book featuring 2 theory essays by Andre Bazin and Cesare Zavattini and a more extensive section entitled Remembrances with writings by De Sica, Sergio Leone and others. It has many black and white photos on pastel colored pages.

This could successfully be argued as the greatest film of all time... possibly without much, or any, opposition. It is a journey - both poetic and allegorical - one for those who view it can rarely forget. This film is it - the one you want all family members to view as you encourage them away from the latest Hollywood blockbuster fodder of the week. Criterion have procured their restoration magic and it is easily a must-own DVD package that will vault to our Essentials listing. Highly recommended!

****

ADDITION: Arrow Films - February - 06': Yes, I wasn't expecting a vast improvement - but there definitely is some. Thankfully it appears to be both progressive and from the correct standard. The Arrow films has the best contrast and grey tone of the three releases. I would say it is on a par for the detail (tie-ing with the Image Entertainment) but it doesn't have the major contrast boosting of the Film sans Frontieres or the minor contrast boosting of the Image Entertainment. For the most part it is pretty good. Where it scores another point over the Image disc are the English subtitles are optional on the Arrow release as opposed to mandatory. Damage marks are relatively consistent in all three but are more prone to visibility when there is boosting (as in the Image and Film sans Frontieres). Extras are another area that the Arrow Films DVD eclipses both other editions. The included, almost hour long, documentary may not be prime supplement material but it was worth watching - more for de Sica than The Bicycle Thief in general. There are some negatives with the Arrow release - it appears to have the same minor cropping as the Films sans Frontieres - on all 4 sides.... and there were some absentee spots in dialogue translation in the subtitles. Nothing devastating but still unpleasant to detect. If you can live with those weaknesses then the Arrow Films is the release for you - I'm happy, but not ecstatic with it. Can Criterion come to this films rescue? Please? Arrow has done a superior job but the film warrants more.

***

The films sans Frontieres version has quite a few problems. It is cropped on all 4 sides (and zoomed in) and has significant contrast boosting. I can't figure out where the missing 4 minutes are on their DVD too. It looks like about 4% meaning PAL-NTSC, and I saw evidence of 'ghosting' . If any film out there deserves restoration, well, this is it. It MUST happen soon... so try to be patient. But in the interim pick up the Image Entertainment version.

- Gary W. Tooze

Note: The Arrow Films does have a different title than the other compared releases:

DVD Menus

Criterion - Disc 1

Criterion - Disc 2

Arrow Films - Region 0 - PAL

(Image - Region 0 - NTSC - LEFT vs. Films sans Frontieres - Region 0 - NTSC - RIGHT)

Screen Captures

(Criterion - Region 1- NTSC TOP vs. Arrow Films - Region 0 - PAL BOTTOM)

(Criterion - Region 1- NTSC TOP vs. Arrow Films - Region 0 - PAL 2nd vs. Image - Region 0 - NTSC - 3rd vs. Films sans Frontieres - Region 0 - NTSC - BOTTOM)

(Criterion - Region 1- NTSC TOP vs. Arrow Films - Region 0 - PAL 2nd vs. Image - Region 0 - NTSC - 3rd vs. Films sans Frontieres - Region 0 - NTSC - BOTTOM)

(Criterion - Region 1- NTSC TOP vs. Arrow Films - Region 0 - PAL 2nd vs. Image - Region 0 - NTSC - 3rd vs. Films sans Frontieres - Region 0 - NTSC - BOTTOM)

(Criterion - Region 1- NTSC TOP vs. Arrow Films - Region 0 - PAL 2nd vs. Image - Region 0 - NTSC - 3rd vs. Films sans Frontieres - Region 0 - NTSC - BOTTOM)

Recommended Books on Italian Cinema (CLICK COVERS or TITLES for more information)


Italian Cinema: From Neorealism to the Present by Peter E. Bondanella	Italian Film in the Light of Neorealism by Millicent Marcus	My Time With Antonioni: The Diary of an Extraordinary Experience by Wim Wenders, Michael Hofmann	Antonioni: The Poet of Images by William Arrowsmith, Ted Perry	Italian Film (National Film Traditions) by Marcia Landy, David Desser	Italian Cinema by Maggie Gunsberg	I, Fellini by Charlotte Chandler, Billy Wilder	Vittorio De Sica: Director, Actor, Screenwriter by Bert Cardullo

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DVD Box Covers
Distribution	Criterion Collection - Spine # 374 Region 1 - NTSC	Arrow Film Distribution Region 0 - PAL

Image Entertainment

Region 0 - NTSC

Films Sans Frontieres
Region 0 - NTSC

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