Thief (1981)

Director:

Michael Mann

Writers:

Frank Hohimer (novel)
Michael Mann (screen story)
(more)

Release Date:

27 March 1981 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Crime | Drama | Thriller

Tagline:

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

Plot:

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.

Plot Keywords:

Safecracker | Heist | Thief | Gangster | Adoption

Awards:

2 nominations

Cast

James Caan	...	Frank
Tuesday Weld	...	Jessie
Willie Nelson	...	Okla
James Belushi	...	Barry
Robert Prosky	...	Leo
Tom Signorelli	...	Attaglia
Dennis Farina	...	Carl
Nick Nickeas	...	Nick
W.R. Brown	...	Mitch (as W.R. [Bill] Brown)
Norm Tobin	...	Guido
John Santucci	...	Urizzi
Gavin MacFadyen	...	Boreksco
Chuck Adamson	...	Ancell
Sam Cirone	...	Martello
Spero Anast	...	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 (as Bruce Young)
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 (as William L. Peterson)
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 (as J.J. Saunders)
Susan McCormick	...	Nurse
Karen Bercovici	...	Ruthie
Michael Paul Chan	...	Waiter at Chinese Restaurant
Tom Howard	...	Jewelry Salesman #1
Richard Karie	...	Jewelry Salesmen #2
Oscar DiLorenzo	...	Customer at Green Mill (as Oscar Di Lorenzo)
Patti Ross	...	Marie
Margot Charlior	...	Rosa
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Ron L. Cox	...	Guy in Bar (uncredited)

Directed by
Michael Mann

Writing credits
Frank Hohimer		(novel "The Home Invaders")
Michael Mann		(screen story)
Michael Mann		(screenplay)

Produced by
Richard Brams	....	associate producer
Jerry Bruckheimer	....	producer
Ronnie Caan	....	producer
Michael Mann	....	executive producer

Original Music by
Christopher Franke		(as Tangerine Dream)
Edgar Froese		(as Tangerine Dream)
Johannes Schmölling		(as Tangerine Dream)

Cinematography by
Donald E. Thorin		(director of photography) (as Donald Thorin)

Film Editing by
Dov Hoenig

Casting by
Vic Ramos

Production Design by
Mel Bourne

Art Direction by
Mary Dodson

Set Decoration by
John M. Dwyer		(as John Dwyer)

Makeup Department
Frank Griffin	....	makeup artist
Edie Panda	....	hair stylist
Kathe Swanson	....	hair stylist

Production Management
Gene Levy	....	unit production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Peter Bogart	....	first assistant director
Richard Graves	....	second assistant director (as Richard N. Graves)
Scott Maitland	....	first assistant director

Art Department
Joe Acord	....	construction coordinator
Johnny Lattanzio	....	paint foreman (as John Lattanzio)
Bill MacSems	....	property master
Michael Molly	....	assistant art director
Wendell Powell	....	assistant property master
Barton M. Susman	....	lead person (as Bart Susman)

Sound Department
George H. Anderson	....	assistant sound effects editor (as George Anderson)
Larry Carow	....	sound effects editor
David B. Cohn	....	sound effects editor
Samuel C. Crutcher	....	sound effects editor
Daniel Gianneschi	....	cable person (as Dan Gianneschi)
Robert Glass	....	sound re-recording mixer
Craig Harris	....	sound effects processing
Scott Hecker	....	sound effects editor (as Scott Heckers)
J. Paul Huntsman	....	looping editor (as Paul Huntsman)
Joseph A. Ippolito	....	assistant sound effects editor (as Joe Ippolito)
Craig S. Jaeger	....	assistant sound effects editor (as Craig Jaeger)
Chris Jenkins	....	sound re-recording mixer
Robert Knudson	....	sound re-recording mixer
Don MacDougall	....	sound re-recording mixer
David M. Ronne	....	sound mixer (as David Ronne)
Duffy Rutledge	....	assistant sound effects editor
Robert R. Rutledge	....	sound effects supervisor
John B. Schuyler	....	boom operator (as John Schuyler)
Jerry Stanford	....	sound effects editor

Special Effects by
Russel Hessey	....	special effects
Doug Hubbard	....	special effects (uncredited)

Stunts
Norman Blankenship	....	stunts
H.P. Evetts	....	stunts
Walter Scott	....	stunt coordinator

Camera and Electrical Department
James Blanford	....	assistant camera
Don Cahill	....	additional photographer
Gusmano Cesaretti	....	special photographer
Craig Denault	....	camera operator
Alan R. Disler	....	assistant camera (as Alan Disler)
Jack Lee Gary	....	assistant camera (as Jack Gary)
Michael Genne	....	assistant camera
Richard Hart	....	gaffer
Daniel R. Jordan	....	key grip (as Danny Jordan)
Robin P. Knight	....	second grip (as Robin Knight)
Frank Miller	....	camera operator
Larry Whitehead	....	best boy electric
James Zenk	....	still photographer
Michael Kohnhorst	....	first assistant camera: second unit (uncredited)
Christopher Nibley	....	director of photography: additional photography (uncredited)

Casting Department
Lisa Clarkson	....	extras casting
Stanzi Stokes	....	additional casting

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Paula Cain	....	costumer
Dennis Fill	....	costumer
Jodie Lynn Tillen	....	costume supervisor (as Jodie Tillen)

Editorial Department
Donah Bassett	....	negative cutter
Dick Bernstein	....	assistant film editor (as Richard Bernstein)
Carol Eastman	....	assistant film editor: Chicago
Aubrey Head	....	color timer
John Stagnitta	....	assistant film editor

Music Department
Bob Badami	....	music editor (as Robert Badami)
Craig Safan	....	composer: additional music

Transportation Department
Ronnie Baker	....	transportation coordinator
Bo Falck	....	transportation coordinator
Billy Martin	....	transportation co-captain
Jim Sharp	....	transportation co-captain (as James Sharp)
Tom Briggs	....	set driver (uncredited)

Other crew
Chuck Adamson	....	technical consultant
Patti Bosworth	....	assistant to producers (as Patti Kailing Bosworth)
Julie Chandler	....	location manager
Sam Cirone	....	security officer
Theresa Curtin	....	assistant: Mr. Mann
Larry Farber	....	production assistant
Arnold Goodwin	....	title designer
Larry Hand	....	assistant accountant
Wilbur Hopp	....	craft service: Chicago
Sandy King	....	script supervisor
Kathy Landing	....	secretary: Michael Mann
Kellie Lattanzio	....	production assistant
Barbara Licker-Caan	....	assistant: James Caan
Gavin MacFadyen	....	special projects
Patrick Markey	....	location manager
Michael J. Maschio	....	location manager (as Michael Maschio)
Lillian Neidenberg	....	accountant: Michael Mann Co./Caan Productions
Larry Rapaport	....	location manager
Joanne Rutledge	....	craft service: Los Angeles
Ruth Rutledge	....	production assistant
John Santucci	....	technical consultant
Art Schaeffer	....	production accountant (as Art Schaefer)
Florian Schereck	....	assistant accountant
Christine Vertosick	....	secretary: Michael Mann
Danae Walczak	....	production assistant
Anita Weiss	....	production assistant
Robert Werden	....	unit publicist
Lisbeth Wynn-Owen	....	production coordinator

Thanks
Sidney Beckerman	....	thanks
Willie Dixon	....	special thanks
Dominick Frigo	....	thanks: The Chicago Police Dept. (as Lt. Dominick Frigo)
Thomas Giblin	....	special thanks (as Mighty Joe Young)
Nathan Grossman	....	thanks
Willie Hayes	....	special thanks (as Mighty Joe Young)
Conrad Mocarski	....	special thanks (as Mighty Joe Young)
Lucie Salenger	....	thanks: The Illinois Film Commission
Benny Turner	....	special thanks (as Mighty Joe Young)

Production Companies

• Mann/Caan Productions

Distributors

• United Artists Corporation (1981) (UK) (theatrical)
• United Artists (1981) (USA) (theatrical)
• MGM Home Entertainment (1998) (USA) (DVD)

Other Companies

• Independent Casting  extras casting
• Pacific Title  titles and opticals

Also Known As:

Violent Streets (UK)

Runtime:

122 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Finland:K-18 (cut) | USA:R (certificate #26144) | Iceland:12 | Brazil:14 | Australia:R | France:-12 | Germany:18 | New Zealand:R16 | Norway:16 (1981) | Sweden:15 | West Germany:16 | UK:X | UK:18 (video rating)

Filming Locations:

Chicago, Illinois, USA

Company:

Mann/Caan Productions

Trivia:

After The Godfather (1972), this is James Caan's favorite film of his own. He has stated that his monologue in the diner is the scene he is most proud of in his career.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: Late in the film, when Frank gets out of his car to plant the bomb at his bar, the Green Mill, the lights used to illuminate the scene are clearly visible in the car door as the door's angle changes. When he opens the car door to get back in, the lights are visible again.

Quotes:

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

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The Punisher (2004)

Michael Mann's best movie, with James Caan' best performance. 'Thief' is a hardboiled crime classic not to be missed!

'Thief' is one of the most underrated movies of the 1980s, if not of all time. Made in the early 80s by TV veteran Michael Mann, and co-produced by the future "king" of action blockbusters Jerry Bruckheimer, this movie can almost be seen as the transition from 1970s character based crime DRAMA to 1980s flashy but brainless 1980s crime ACTION. In that sense 'Thief' is the last great 1970s movie of the 1980s. Mann made at least two great movies after this ('Manhunter' and 'Heat'), but I still think it is is his best and most satisfying work. James Caan believes that the movie contains his finest performance and I'm inclined to agree with him. Caan is dynamite throughout. He oozes charisma and is impossible to take your eyes off, but also gives a subtle and complex performance. The film works both as an exciting caper movie, and as a human drama. In many ways it is the best crime film to pull that off since Dassin's 'Rififi' in the mid 1950s. Cann is helped by a superb supporting cast, who on the surface may seem a motley bunch, but all are very good - Tuesday Weld ('Who'll Stop The Rain'), Jim Belushi (his movie debut), a memorable cameo from country legend Willie Nelson, and especially a fantastic turn from Robert Prosky. Prosky is probably best known to most viewers as the kindly father-figure he played in 'Hill Street Blues'. His turn here as a ruthless gangster is a complete eye opener! Prosky delivers one of the most vicious lines ever heard in a movie, which is a bit too extreme for me to quote here, but believe me, you will never forget it when you hear it! Many people seem to find Tangerine Dream's dated synth score to be extremely irritating but I actually enjoyed it and thought it helped build the mood. 'Thief' is a hardboiled crime classic and is highly recommended to any fan of the genre, especially those made in the 1970s. It is wildly underrated and deserves to be rediscovered by a larger audience. 'Thief' is simply one of THE great "lost" classics of the last thirty years.