Frank is an expert professional safecracker, specialized in high-profile diamond heists. He plans to use his ill-gotten income to retire from crime and build a nice life for himself complete with a home, wife and kids. To accelerate the process, he signs on with a top gangster for a big score.
James Caan
Frank
Tuesday Weld
Jessie
Robert Prosky
Leo Alderman
Willie Nelson
David 'Okla' Bertinneau
Jim Belushi
Barry Stratagakis
Tom Signorelli
Vincent Attaglia
Dennis Farina
Carl
Nick Nickeas
Nick
W.R. Brown
Mitch Kanoff
Norm Tobin
Guido
John Santucci
Sgt. Urizzi
Gavin MacFadyen
Det. Boreksco
Chuck Adamson
Det. Ancell
Sam Cirone
Det. Martello
Spero Anast
Det. Bukowski
Walter Scott
Detective D. Simpson
Sam T. Louis
Large Detective in Suit
William LaValley
Joseph
Lora Staley
Paula
Hal Frank
Joe Gags
Del Close
Mechanic #1
Bruce A. Young
Mechanic #2
John Kapelos
Mechanic #3
Mike Genovese
Bartender at Green Mill
Joan Lazzerini
Attaglia's Receptionist
Beverly Somerman
Secretary with Cup
Enrico R. Cannataro
Salesman at L&A Plating
Mary Louise Wade
Waitress #1 at Deli
Donna J. Fenton
Waitress #2 at Deli
Thomas Giblin
Mighty Joe Young Band
Willie Hayes
Mighty Joe Young Band
Conrad Mocarski
Mighty Joe Young Band
Benny Turner
Mighty Joe Young Band
William Petersen
Katz & Jammer Bartender
Steve Randolph
Bouncer at Katz & Jammer
Nancy Santucci
Hojo Waitress
Nathan Davis
Grossman
Thomas O. Erhart Jr.
Judge
Fredric Stone
Attorney Garner
Robert J. Kuper
Bailiff
Joene Hanhardt
Court Recorder
Marge Kotlisky
Mrs. Knowles
J. Jay Saunders
Doctor
Susan McCormick
Nurse
Karen Berger
Ruthie
Michael Paul Chan
Waiter at Chinese Restaurant
Tom Howard
Jewelry Salesman #1
Richard Karie
Jewelry Salesmen #2
Oscar DiLorenzo
Customer at Green Mill
Patty Ross
Marie
Margot Charlior
Rosa
Director, Screenplay, Screenstory
Michael Mann
Novel
Frank Hohimer
September 13, 2015
9
You are making big profits from my work, my risk, my sweat.
Thief is written and directed by Michael Mann, who adapts the screenplay form the novel "The Home Invaders" written by Frank Hohimer. It stars James Caan, Tuesday Weld, Robert Prosky, James Belushi and Willie Nelson. Music is by Tangerine Dream and cinematography by Donald Thorin.
Frank (Caan) is a tough ex-con and expert jewel thief. He's working his way out to a normal life, but after being lured to a big job for the mob, he finds plans on both sides severely altered.
For his first full length theatrical feature, Michael Mann announced himself to the film world with some distinction, and in the process showed everyone what style of film making makes him tick. Thief is a film of stylised grit, visually, thematically and narratively. Set and filmed in Chicago, Mann, aided by Thorin, shoots the story through pure neo-noir filters.
At nighttime it is all a beautifully neon drenched haze, where the streets shimmer with dampness, a dampness brought about by the rain and god knows what else! By day there's a sweaty hue, a feeling that the heat is well and truly on, that even in daylight Frank isn't safe, his dreams may be a touch too far to reach. And no matter what the scene or scenario, Tangerine Dream are laying over the top a throbbing pulse beat, it's like The Warriors trying to get back to Coney Island, the music has a sense of dread about it, that danger is at every corner.
This part of Chicago stinks, it's a vile and corrupt place. Dirty cops everywhere, underworld criminals ruling the roost - Hell! You can even buy a baby if you want one. Is it any wonder that Frank just wants to settle down with a wife and child, to walk barefooted in the sea, to have domesticity? But Frank, as smart, tough and savvy as he is, seems to thrive on the edge of things, with Mann giving him earthy and honest dialogue to engage us with, marking him out as an identifiable everyman protagonist who just happens to be an exceptional thief.
Mann's attention to detail is on show straight away, none more so than with the two key safe cracking jobs that are undertaken. Using genuine jewel thieves as technical advisers on the film, these sequences ooze realism, from the tools used, the pre-planning and the execution of the takes, it smacks of reality and does justice to the genuine feel of the characterisations brought alive by the superb cast. And finally Mann delivers a finale of ambiguity, a noir shaded piece of abruptness, an ending that perfectly fits the whole production. 9/10
Status:
Released
Original Language:
English
Budget:
$5,500,000.00
Revenue:
$11,494,812.00