Differences In Bicycle Thieves

1.) Bicycle Thieves, produced by Vittorio De Sica in 1948, significantly exemplifies the art of Italian Neorealism. De Sica depicts Italy during the post era of World War Two showcasing the struggles that were prevalent during this time period such as tough economic times and the difficulties of finding decent work. The concepts displayed in Bicycle Thieves representing the ideas of Italian Neorealism completely contradict those of Classical Hollywood Cinema. One example of the differences in these two types of film styles would be the filming of Bicycle Thieves. Bicycle Thieves was filmed on actual Roman streets rather than using a premade set in a studio or backdrop. Camera crews and sound crews had to trail these actors/actresses throughout the streets in

Once he receives his bike, it gets stolen and the rest of the film depicts Ricci trying to find the bike/obtain a new one. A Classical Hollywood Cinema film would not have a plot such as this. It would be more action oriented or romantic rather than a story about a lower class man trying to find his bike. The final scene of Bicycle Thieves in itself explores the differences between Italian Neorealism and Classical Hollywood Cinema. In this final scene, Ricci attempts to steal a bike and appears to almost get away with it until a crowd of people chase him down and reclaim the bike. Ricci’s son Bruno who is just a child bails him out of trouble and from getting beaten by the people he stole the bike from. This ending to the film is sad in so many aspects, Bruno just wanted to get a bike so he could provide for his family and reclaim his job. Now he sets a bad example for his son and is left with nothing. Italian Neorealism does not portray happy endings while Classical Hollywood Cinema films do portray these happy endings and tend to make people feel