Shoeshine

micah van hove

A masterpiece with poetic performances from all the kids, this film leaves a splinter in the heart. A deep look at friendship, money, social politics & human will.

Checkpoint Charlie

An all around tragedy, from the poverty on the streets, to the adult criminals who take advantage of the children, to the adult jailers who care for not much else than maintaining their order and not being punished by their superiors, to the strife being in prison brings, until it comes full circle when you decide to further the momentum of the cycle.

Daniel S.

I've just watched SHOESHINE tonight for the first time thanks to a British DVD which presents SCIUSCIA in a pristine copy. Post WWII in Italy seen through the eyes of children and teens who try to survive in a world of adults who don't see them anymore or, worst, use them. It reminded me at times of Truffaut's THE 400 BLOWS. Highly recommended.

Andrei Rus

I found this film very moving. For this and for "Umberto D." I really believe that De Sica was a huge filmmaker.

Amanda A.Costa

De Sica's job in life was devastate hearts. Here we have another powerfull movie from Italian Neo realism, portraying a country destroyed by the war, where two kids have their lifes changed and being affected forever. The end is so painfull, cuts like knife.

Henrique Verkündigung

one of the best italian directors ever, this film is tremendously raw and violent but at the same time sica manages to reach into a level of passion in filming, just marvelous!

StellaWasaDiver

Incredibly powerful. Not sure why this one hasn't gotten as much acclaim as Bicycle Thieves. Maybe Shoeshine doesn't get out on the street enough. De Sica sure knows how to get some great performances from children and young actors.

Adam Suraf

An important work in the larger development of neo-realism, with De Sica presenting the deplorable insides of a boy's prison as a sign of the rough post-war times. Both poetic and tragic, with scenes of great power and beauty, the further maturation of a master film-maker.