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S E A R C H D V D B e a v e r |
(aka "The Bicycle Thief" or "Bicycle Thieves")
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
Reviews More Reviews DVD Reviews
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 vs. Arrow Academy (UK) - Region 'B' - Blu-ray vs. Criterion Region 'A' - Blu-ray |
Big thanks to Pavel Borodin for the Films Sans Frontieres DVD Screen Caps!
1) Criterion - Region 1- NTSC TOP LEFT 2) Arrow Films - Region 0 - PAL TOP MIDDLE 3) Image - Region 0 - NTSC TOP RIGHT 4) Films sans Frontieres - Region 0 - NTSC BOTTOM LEFT 5) Arrow Films - Region 'B' - Blu-ray BOTTOM MIDDLE 6) Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM RIGHT |
Box Covers |
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Distribution |
Criterion Collection - Spine # 374 Region 1 - NTSC |
Arrow Film Distribution Region 0 - PAL |
Image Entertainment Region 0 - NTSC
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Re-Released by Arrow on Blu-ray in August 20202: |
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Films
Sans Frontieres
Region 0 - NTSC |
Arrow Films |
Criterion Collection - Spine #374 - Region 'A' Blu-ray |
Distribution |
Criterion Collection - Spine # 374 Region 1 - NTSC |
Arrow Film Distribution Region 0 - PAL |
Image Entertainment Region 0 - NTSC |
Films
Sans Frontieres
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Arrow Films Region 'B' - Blu-ray |
Criterion Collection - Spine #374 - Region 'A' Blu-ray |
Runtime | 1:29:06 | 1:26:36 (4% PAL speedup) | 1:28:54 | 1:24:42 | 1:28:35.977 | 1:29:27.320 |
Video |
1.33:1 Original Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: 9.11 mb/s NTSC 704x480 29.97 f/s |
1.33:1
Aspect Ratio |
1.37:1 Original Aspect Ratio |
1.37:1
Original Aspect Ratio |
1.33:1 1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray Disc Size: 43,883,253,200 bytesFeature: 22,312,814,592 bytes Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video Total Video Bitrate: 27.06 Mbps |
1.37:1 Disc Size: 47,328,726,748 bytes Feature Size: 26,361,974,784 bytes Total Bitrate: 34.96 MbpsDual-layered Blu-ray MPEG4 - AVC |
NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes. |
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Bitrate:
Criterion
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Arrow
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Image
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Films Sans Frontieres |
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Arrow Blu-ray |
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Bitrate:
Criterion Blu-ray |
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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) |
LPCM Audio Italian 1152 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 1152 kbps / 24-bit Commentary: LPCM Audio English 1536 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1536 kbps / 16-bit |
LPCM
Audio Italian 1152 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 1152 kbps / 24-bit Dolby Digital Audio English 192 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps |
Subtitles |
English, and none |
English, and none |
English (non removable when Italian audio is chosen) |
English, Spanish, French and none |
English, and none | English, and none |
Features |
Release Information:
Aspect Ratio:
Edition Details: • 65-page book with multiple essays.
DVD
Release Date: February 13th, 2007 Chapters 20 |
Release Information: Aspect Ratio:
Edition Details: • Poster, Artwork and Lobby Stills• Theatrical trailer
DVD Release Date: February 20th, 2006Transparent Keep Case Chapters ? |
Release Information:
Aspect Ratio:
Edition Details: • Biographies/Filmographies of De Sica and this film
DVD
Release Date: July 22, 1998 Chapters 14 |
Release Information: Aspect Ratio: Edition Details: • Filmography, Film notes
Chapters 10 |
Release Information:
1.33:1 1080P
Dual-layered
Blu-ray
Disc Size:
Feature: 22,312,814,592 bytes Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video Total Video Bitrate: 27.06 Mbps
Edition Details:
Blu-ray
Release Date:
April 18th, 2011 Chapters 12 |
Release Information: Disc Size:47,328,726,748 bytes Feature Size: 26,361,974,784 bytes Total Bitrate: 34.96 MbpsDual-layered Blu-ray MPEG4 - AVC
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 (22:43)
• Booklet with multiple essays.
Chapters: 19 |
Criterion DVD Package
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Comments: |
NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc. ADDITION: Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray February 16': The Criterion is a '4K digital restoration'. It is darker than the Arrow BD and has a higher bitrate. But the biggest difference I see is that the Arrows faces seem slightly thinner in their 1.33:1 aspect ratio and the 1.37:1 Criterion are fuller and wider. I'm not positive which is more correct but I lean, strongly, to the Criterion. The Criterion looks stunning in-motion - rich and film-like - magnificent. Whether the ratio adjustment is noticeable to you is a personal preference. I give the video edge to Criterion.Audio is the same as far as my ears can tell same strengths and weaknesses. Both liner PCM mono tracks (24-bit) in original Italian but Criterion continues to offer the English Dolby DUB option. The US Blu-ray disc is region 'A'-locked and has optional English subtitles. Criterion duplicate their extras found on the 2007 DVD excepting that the enclosed liner notes book is smaller with 3 of the previous essays removed (Charles Burnett, Cesare Zavattini and André Bazin). No commentary but (from below) "...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." So, Arrow still remain a step ahead with their commentary. Criterion's 4K digital restoration Blu-ray is a must-own. Still one of the most moving film experiences in cinema history. Don't hesitate for a moment. Enjoy. *** ADDITION: Arrow - Region 'B' - Blu-ray (April 2011): Okay Arrow (along with Les Diaboliques Arrow Academy's First Releases!) brings one of the world's greatest cinema classics to Blu-ray in a Dual-Format package which includes a DVD of the film. This appears as thought it may be a different print - even from the Arrow DVD. I couldn't seem to match the same damage marks. Also the subtitle translation are different from the 2006 Arrow DVD. The image shows some DNR-like softness in a few scenes and may be brighter than some are anticipating (removing some detail or, at times, actually adding some) but there are plenty of scenes that look very impressive. I'd have appreciated more grain but there is surprising depth at times and some separation of contrasts. This may be the cleanest version I have seen of the Bicycle Thieves - as even the Criterion had some notable scratches. The 1080P image is either slightly horizontally stretched or the Criterion is vertically stretched (thinner faces). We seem to get an equal number of strong opinions either way once the topic is brought up. I lean to the Criterion being a shade squeezed as the other DVDs - as well as the Blu-ray - support the general proportions. Comparatively the Criterion may have some black level boosting looking at side-by-side captures. Bottom line is that I had the best presentation of the film that I have ever had and the screen captures below should speak for themselves. There are plus and minuses to each digital transfer but the higher resolution can definitely trump its weaknesses, imo. There is more than enough to extol here without bringing out the magnifying glass. Audio is in a liner PCM track (also on the included DVD) and still has it's share of tinny-ness. It is the film I would most like to see a whole new audio restoration but have no idea of the effort or cost involved. Arrow have kept the Italian mono and the well-known music is still impacting - even with its flaws. I have heard the film sounding improved and the lossless can make a crispness that can occasionally translate to an effective edge. As mentioned there are optional English subtitles with a slightly different translation but expressing the same general meaning. The disc is region 'B'-locked Blu-ray. Bicycle Thieves finally gets a much deserved audio commentary - and who better than by Robert Gordon; Italian cinema expert and author of Bicycle Thieves (BFI Film Classics). There is an array of impressive information at every turn and he was a pleasure to listen to. Included is the same documentary as found on the Criterion - described below as '...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.' As found on the Arrow DVD we get the Timeless Cinema documentary on De Sica plus a lengthy original trailer. Included is a comprehensive liner notes booklet featuring a brand new essay on the film by writer and film historian Michael Brooke as well as screenwriter Cesare Zavattini’s essay 'Some Ideas on the Cinema', illustrated with original stills and Lobby Cards. The artwork presentation packaging including three original posters and a newly commissioned artwork cover. Not only one of the most important neorealist films in the history of cinema but quoting Gordon's wonderful book; '...a necessary point of reference for any cinematic engagement with the labyrinthine experience of the modern city, the travails of poverty in the contemporary world, the complex bond between fathers and sons, and the capacity of the camera to capture something like the essence of all of these.' I see Bicycle Thieves as a wonderful starting point to introduce people to the value of non-mainstream cinema. I've show it to dozens of friends - most quietly stunned by its conclusion. Region 'B'-locked audiences shouldn't hesitate to pick this up. Arrow Academy deserves some kudos for the extensive extras - surely worth the price of admission alone. *** 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 - 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. |
Note: The Arrow Films DVD does have a different title than the other compared releases:
The Blu-ray has the 'standard title (top)
Menus
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Criterion - Disc 1
Criterion - Disc 2
Arrow Films - Region 0 - PAL
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(Image
- Region 0 - NTSC - LEFT vs. Films sans Frontieres - Region 0 - NTSC - RIGHT)
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Arrow Films - Region 'B' - Blu-ray
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Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray
CLICK EACH BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920X1080 RESOLUTION
Screen Captures
1) Criterion - Region 1- NTSC - TOP 2) Arrow Films - Region 0 - PAL SECOND 3) Arrow Films - Region 'B' - Blu-ray THIRD 4) Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM |
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1) Criterion - Region 1- NTSC - TOP 2) Arrow Films - Region 0 - PAL SECOND 3) Arrow Films - Region 'B' - Blu-ray THIRD 4) Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM |
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1) Criterion - Region 1- NTSC TOP 2) Arrow Films - Region 0 - PAL SECOND 3) Image - Region 0 - NTSC THIRD 4) Films sans Frontieres - Region 0 - NTSC FOURTH 5) Arrow Films - Region 'B' - Blu-ray FIFTH 6) Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM |
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1) Criterion - Region 1- NTSC TOP 2) Arrow Films - Region 0 - PAL SECOND 3) Image - Region 0 - NTSC THIRD 4) Films sans Frontieres - Region 0 - NTSC FOURTH 5) Arrow Films - Region 'B' - Blu-ray FIFTH 6) Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM |
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1) Criterion - Region 1- NTSC TOP 2) Arrow Films - Region 0 - PAL SECOND 3) Image - Region 0 - NTSC THIRD 4) Films sans Frontieres - Region 0 - NTSC FOURTH 5) Arrow Films - Region 'B' - Blu-ray FIFTH 6) Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM |
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1) Criterion - Region 1- NTSC TOP 2) Arrow Films - Region 0 - PAL SECOND 3) Image - Region 0 - NTSC THIRD 4) Films sans Frontieres - Region 0 - NTSC FOURTH 5) Arrow Films - Region 'B' - Blu-ray FIFTH 6) Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM |
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1) Criterion - Region 1- NTSC TOP 2) Arrow Films - Region 0 - PAL SECOND 3) Image - Region 0 - NTSC THIRD 4) Films sans Frontieres - Region 0 - NTSC FOURTH 5) Arrow Films - Region 'B' - Blu-ray FIFTH 6) Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM |
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1) Arrow Films - Region 'B' - Blu-ray TOP 2) Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM
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1) Arrow Films - Region 'B' - Blu-ray TOP 2) Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM
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1) Arrow Films - Region 'B' - Blu-ray TOP 2) Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM
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1) Arrow Films - Region 'B' - Blu-ray TOP 2) Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM
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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 |
Box Covers |
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Distribution |
Criterion Collection - Spine # 374 Region 1 - NTSC |
Arrow Film Distribution Region 0 - PAL |
Image Entertainment Region 0 - NTSC
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Films
Sans Frontieres
Region 0 - NTSC |
Arrow Films |
Criterion Collection - Spine #374 - Region 'A' Blu-ray |
Report Card:
Image: |
Criterion Blu-ray |
Sound: |
Blu-rays |
Extras: | Arrow Blu-ray |
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