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Thief (1981)

R  122 min  -  Action | Crime | Drama   -  27 March 1981 (USA)
7.2
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Ratings: 7.2/10 from 6,370 users  
Reviews: 81 user | 32 critic

Becoming closer to his dream of leading a normal life, a professional safecracker agrees to do a job for the mafia, who have other plans for him.

Director:

Michael Mann

Writers:

Frank Hohimer (novel), Michael Mann (screen story), and 1 more credit »
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2 nominations See more awards »
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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
James Caan ...
Tuesday Weld ...
Jessie
Willie Nelson ...
Okla
James Belushi ...
Barry
Robert Prosky ...
Leo
Tom Signorelli Tom Signorelli ...
Attaglia
Dennis Farina ...
Carl
Nick Nickeas Nick Nickeas ...
Nick
W.R. Brown W.R. Brown ...
Mitch (as W.R. [Bill] Brown)
Norm Tobin Norm Tobin ...
Guido
John Santucci John Santucci ...
Urizzi
Gavin MacFadyen Gavin MacFadyen ...
Boreksco
Chuck Adamson Chuck Adamson ...
Ancell
Sam Cirone Sam Cirone ...
Martello
Spero Anast Spero Anast ...
Bukowski
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Storyline

Frank is an expert professional safecracker, specializing in high-profile diamond jobs. After having spent many years in prison, he has a very concrete picture of what he wants out of life--including a nice home, a wife, and kids. As soon as he is able to assemble the pieces of this collage, by means of his chosen profession, he intends to retire and become a model citizen. In an effort to accelerate this process, he signs on to take down a huge score for a big-time gangster. Unfortunately, Frank's obsession for his version of the American Dream allows him to overlook his natural wariness and mistrust, when making the deal for his final job. He is thus ensnared and robbed of his freedom, his independence, and, ultimately, his dream. Written by Tad Dibbern <DIBBERN_D@a1.mscf.upenn.edu>  

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

Safecracker | Diamonds | Car Dealership | Prison | Gangster  | See more »

Taglines:

Tonight, his take home pay is $410,000...tax free.

Genres:

Action | Crime | Drama | Thriller

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

(USA) See more »

Also Known As:

Violent Streets See more »

Filming Locations:

Chicago, Illinois, USA See more »

Box Office

Gross:

$4,300,000 (USA)
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Company Credits

Production Co:

Mann/Caan Productions See more »
Show detailed company contact information on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
See full technical specs »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

In the scene in Leo's house, James Caan improvised mispronouncing "elected" as "elected-ed" to show that Frank was an uneducated man who tried project an air of sophistication. See more »

Goofs

Revealing mistakes: When Frank visits Tatallia's office at the plating company, the door hinges are on the left. After Frank leaves, the door hinges are on the right. See more »

Quotes

Frank: You talking to me or somebody else walk in this room?
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Connections

Featured in "The Directors: The Films of Michael Mann (#2.1)" (2001) See more »