Ladri di biciclette
"The Prize Picture They Want to Censor!"
Bicycle Thieves - Characters & Cast
Character Analysis
Antonio Ricci
Lamberto Maggiorani
Motivation
His sole motivation is to provide for his wife and children. The bicycle is not just a possession but the means to fulfill his fundamental role as a father and breadwinner in a society with no safety net.
Character Arc
Antonio begins as a hopeful but downtrodden man, overjoyed at the prospect of a job that can support his family. The theft of his bicycle sends him on a downward spiral of desperation. His journey through Rome strips him of his optimism and faith in society. He transforms from a victim seeking justice into a perpetrator himself, attempting to steal a bicycle in a moment of utter despair, thus sacrificing his morality and dignity.
Bruno Ricci
Enzo Staiola
Motivation
Bruno is motivated by his love and admiration for his father. He is a dedicated helper in the quest for the bicycle, understanding its critical importance to their family's survival.
Character Arc
Bruno starts as a dutiful and admiring son who works to help his family. He is a loyal companion to his father, sharing in the hopeful beginning and the grueling search. His arc is one of disillusionment. He witnesses the world's cruelty and, most tragically, his father's humiliation and moral failure. While his innocence is shattered, his final act of taking his weeping father's hand shows a newfound, mature compassion.
Maria Ricci
Lianella Carell
Motivation
Maria is motivated by a pragmatic and fierce determination to ensure her family's survival and support her husband's chance at employment.
Character Arc
Maria's role is brief but crucial. She represents the strength and sacrifice at the heart of the family. She doesn't hesitate to pawn their dowry bedsheets, items of great personal and material value, to secure the family's future. Her character remains a steadfast, supportive presence, highlighting the stakes of Antonio's success or failure.