The Bicycle Thief (1948 Italy) **** of **** Rated: not rated, but call it a PG Length: 90 minutes Format: B/W Director: Vittorio DeSica Cast:   Lamberto Maggiorani: Antonio Ricci, the father   Enzo Staiola: Bruno Ricci, the son   Lianella Carell: Maria Ricci, the mother Synopsis: Set and filmed in post war Italy, poverty and unemployment reign and wear at the hearts of the people.  A father gets not just a job, but a decent paying government job.  He is required to use his bicycle on the job.					Titles & images are property of their respective owners.
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	Review: This is a well done story of a father trying to earn wages for his family in a most difficult situation.  Every character in the film has their humanity tested in some way, and it is in the spiraling events that the power of the story becomes apparent.  The magnitude of the post war pawn shop was heartbreaking and knocked the audience back in their seats gasping.  The rich scenes and story make this a strong film despite it's age.  Young people need a reminder of what devastation really means.  Maggiorani does a great job as the strong and desperate provider.   The low quality of the filming serves to highlight the impoverishment of the times.  This film makes an excellent contrast to the materialistic gluttony that has become the norm.