Starring: James Caan, Tuesday Weld, Willie Nelson, James Belushi, Robert Prosky Directed By: Michael Mann Average Rating: Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Audience Rating: R (Restricted) Binding: DVD Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD-Video, Letterboxed, Special Edition, Widescreen, NTSC Label: MGM (Video & DVD) Number of Items: 1 Picture Format: Letterbox Region Code: 1 Release Date: July 01, 1998 Running Time: 122 minutes Theatrical Release Date: March 27, 1981
Description: James Caan is at his very best as a tough, wisecracking professional thief trapped between Chicago organized crime families and corrupt police in this gripping drum-tight tale (Los Angeles).Michael Mann, who directed Last of the Mohicans and Manhunter and produced Miami Vice and Crime Story, wrote and directed this taut, visually dazzling heist -drama called 'the bestof that breed since The Asphalt Jungle by New West. Filmed on rain-slicked Chicagostreets, Thief captures the chilling suspense and human drama of professional crime with incredibly'realistic details...heist technology straight out of Star Wars and dialog with 'the gutter pungency of a wood-alcohol cocktail (Rolling Stone). Co-starring country superstar Willie Nelson and James Belushi ('saturday Night Live ), 'thief envelops you in its tough, doom-laden grip and never lets go (Newsweek).
Amazon.com: Thief's dark noir spaces are tinged with the neon palette that has become the trademark of director Michael Mann (Miami Vice, Heat). This was his first theatrical film, and all the elements that characterize his later style (and this is a very stylistic film) are dominant. Equal parts grit and glamour, the story is simple. Frank (James Caan) is a lone-wolf jewel thief who was, in his words, brought up "by the state." In prison he was apprenticed to a master thief, played by Willie Nelson. When Frank's successful career comes to the attention of an avuncular syndicate boss (Robert Prosky), Frank is offered (and accepts against his better judgment) a deal that should allow him to retire and enjoy the family life he covets. But the deal sours, and Frank is left to decide what his nature truly is, lone wolf or family man. Thief melds its jazzy visual style with heightened realism: the jewel thief's tools of the trade are authentic, up to the 8,000 degree thermal lance used to cut through a nearly impregnable safe. Some of the bit parts are played by real-life, highly successful jewel thieves, who acted as consultants. And their presence informs the superb dialogue, as every word rings true. In one long, engrossing scene, James Caan gradually persuades the woman he wants to start a family with (Tuesday Weld in one of her most affecting performances) that they should be together. The film was photographed beautifully by Donald Thorin and further emboldened by the driving rhythms of Tangerine Dream. The DVD contains a very funny commentary track by the director and James Caan. --Jim Gay
Who stole your cheese??? Another movie for any man's movie collection, right there with Godfather, Scareface and other good gangster movies.
Brilliant Piece Tangerine Dream's score takes this beautifully written and directed film to unimaginable heights. In my opinion, the best electronic composition ever in film, superbly original. The dialogue, the acting, the writing - stunning. It's a shame that not enough people know about this classic directed by Michael Mann. Just about everything he made after is a derivitave of this one. Hands-down, a masterpiece.
Highly underrated, for discerning viewers. Quality work. I hadn't seen this in 15 years and was amazed at how much better it is in every way to the high end noisy Hollywood slop that blows up in our faces these days. The acting, script, look, feel, and moody soundtrack are all top notch. Michael Mann could learn something by studying his old work here instead of torturing us with expensive and boring garbage like Miami Vice. This is not for shoesized IQ's with ADD who need to see stuff blowed up real good every 5 minutes, but if you have a brain that enjoys great character development, cinematography, and subtleties of tension and mood, go for it. A gem in any collection.
utcmom We enjoyed this movie when it first came out about 20 years ago. We werepleased to find it available on DVD. If you like anything by Michael Mann such as Heat or Miami Vice (the tv show), you will enjoy this movie. Intense and well acted.
Theif is my role model This movie took a impeccable dive into the mind of a thief and the work of a thief. If you like psychology, or maybe action intelligence, than this movie is for you. The movie features stealing, a full length display of how it is done, as the camera pans all angles.
America meet scarface, Cuba meet Thief. This man stole diamonds, Scarface sold coke. Thief killed his boss, Scarface killed his boss. Thief was a low life and scarface was a low life. They both took their low selves and grew to billions, and then ruined it all in the end. Scarface was a gangster crime lord, and thief was a crime lord. In the end however, Scarface died, as Thief did not. There were a few differences, however, James made an uncanny resemblance to Scarface. What the parallel synthesis, as both stories were amazing.
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