Antonio envisions a better life for his family with his salary, overtime and benefits. His wife Maria (Lianella Carell) pawns their bed sheets and uses the money to recover the precious bicycle. However, he needs to retrieve his bicycle in the pawn shop but he does not have money. In the post-war Rome, after more than two-year unemployment, the family man Antonio Ricci (Lamberto Maggiorani) finally finds a disputed job position putting up posters that requires having a bicycle. “Over here,” came a weak voice.Reviewed by claudio_carvalho 10 / 10 A Heartbreaking Masterpiece of the Italian Neo-Realism The course behind them was the dirt path that led from the Hardy house down through Bayport Park, which was just outside downtown Bayport. Suddenly there was a loud explosion, like a balloon breaking.
Cheering crowds surrounded it on each side, waiting to see who would win, Frank or Joe Hardy. Ahead of them the finish line drew closer. For half a mile the boys rode next to each other, so close that Frank could have scratched an itch on Joe’s hand. They were neck and neck as they came to the end of the race. The only sounds they made were their heavy breathing, or the occasional “Ooph!” as one of them hit a dip in the road. Pedals flying, feet pumping, they raced in silence. Soon it was as if they were the only people in the race. One by one they passed the kids who had been out front. Now it was time to kick it into high gear. The wind threw dirt from the road into their faces. The race continued, with one fewer racer. All was fine until one of the racers in front of them missed a turn and crashed right in front of them!įrank and Joe both pulled back on their handlebars and swerved just in time, right before they caused a bike pileup! Joe looked back to see if the other rider needed help, but someone was already on the way to help. Joe and Frank made their way up and down the slopes, pedaling a little faster to get up those hills. All along the streets of Bayport, people cheered as the racers rode by.Īt the second mile, they came to the first difficult part of the race: a few hills right in a row. Frank and Joe raced past the town hall, Bayport Elementary School, and even their own house.
Starting in first place didn’t mean ending there.
Frank and Joe weren’t worried about them. They were a tight pack of bicycles, so close together that every turn threatened to knock the riders into one another. Most of the racers stuck together at the start. They had only one thing on their minds: winning. All the racers stood up a little on their pedals, to give themselves an added push. “Get set!” He held the handkerchief high up in the air. The racers readied themselves on their bikes. He pulled a white-and-black checkerboard handkerchief from his pocket. Especially since he was almost as tall as Frank (though he was a year younger).īefore Joe could respond, the race judge stepped out onto the track. This was going to be a challenge-and Frank and Joe were ready for it! Instead, they would have to look for little blue flags that would mark the path. Although the roads had been closed for the race, none of the racers knew the exact route they would take. They would ride on roads and on dirt paths through the woods. They each knew that the biggest challenge would come from the other. On their right was Phil Cohen, Bayport Elementary’s resident tech expert. Chet Morton and his sister Iola were on their left. On either side of them were a dozen other kids they knew. They were next to each other on the starting line. Frank did the same when his name was called. Joe stuck one hand up in the air and waved to the hundreds of people who lined the streets of Bayport for the annual Junior Bike Rally. He knew when the announcer called his name, because the crowd started screaming, “Joe! Joe! Joe!” The crowd was cheering so loudly, Joe could barely hear the announcer.
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