Coming closer to his dream of leading a normal life, a professional safecracker agrees to do a job for the Mafia, who has other plans for him.
Director:
Michael Mann
From metacritic.com
Before "The Office," star Rainn Wilson had a different type of workplace comedy in mind. Presented by "Star Trek: Discovery."
Related News
-
Robert Kirkman and Sony Pictures TV launch Skybound Galactic
10 October 2018 | ScreenDaily -
Close-Up on Michael Mann's "Manhunter"
04 October 2018 | MUBI -
Video Game Review – Shadow of the Tomb Raider
10 September 2018 | Flickeringmyth
Editorial Lists
Related lists from IMDb editors
User Lists
Related lists from IMDb users
Share this Rating
Title: Thief (1981)
Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? Use the HTML below.
2 wins & 6 nominations.
See more awards »
Learn more
More Like This
Manhunter
(1986)
Crime
|
Horror
|
Mystery
Director:
Michael Mann
Stars:
William Petersen,
Kim Greist,
Joan Allen
To Live and Die in L.A.
(1985)
Action
|
Crime
|
Drama
Director:
William Friedkin
Stars:
William Petersen,
Willem Dafoe,
John Pankow
Blow Out
(1981)
Mystery
|
Thriller
Director:
Brian De Palma
Stars:
John Travolta,
Nancy Allen,
John Lithgow
Sorcerer
(1977)
Adventure
|
Drama
|
Thriller
Director:
William Friedkin
Stars:
Roy Scheider,
Bruno Cremer,
Francisco Rabal
The Insider
(1999)
Biography
|
Drama
|
Thriller
Director:
Michael Mann
Stars:
Russell Crowe,
Al Pacino,
Christopher Plummer
The Keep
(1983)
Horror
Director:
Michael Mann
Stars:
Scott Glenn,
Ian McKellen,
Alberta Watson
The Driver
(1978)
Action
|
Crime
|
Thriller
Director:
Walter Hill
Stars:
Ryan O'Neal,
Bruce Dern,
Isabelle Adjani
Miami Vice
(2006)
Action
|
Crime
|
Thriller
Director:
Michael Mann
Stars:
Colin Farrell,
Jamie Foxx,
Li Gong
Edit
Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| James Caan | ... | Frank | |
| Tuesday Weld | ... | Jessie | |
| Willie Nelson | ... | Okla | |
| Jim Belushi | ... | Barry (as James Belushi) | |
| 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 |
Edit
Plot Summary
|
Plot Synopsis
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>
Taglines:
Tonight, his take home pay is $410,000...tax free.Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
Edit
Edit
See more on IMDbPro »
See full technical specs »
Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
27 March 1981 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Thief See more »Filming Locations:
Green Mill Cocktail Lounge, 4802 N Broadway Street, Chicago, Illinois, USA See more »Edit
Box Office
Budget:
$5,500,000 (estimated)Gross USA:
$11,492,915Company Credits
Show more on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
Dolby StereoColor:
ColorAspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1
Edit
Mrs. Knowles: Yes.
Frank: Right! Right!
See more »
(uncredited)
Written by Craig Safan
Played during the last scene and the end credits
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
Producer Jerry Bruckheimer Executively Produced William Petersen in the long-running series, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2000). See more »Goofs
When Frank arrives outside with Barry at the L & A Plating company, it is overcast. When Frank arrives in Attaglia's office only a minute later, the weather outside is completely different. See more »Quotes
Frank: I got some A-B-C type information for you, lady. I was state-raised, and this is a dead place. A child in eight-by-four green walls, after awhile you tell the walls 'my life is yours.' What, didja grow up in the suburbs?Mrs. Knowles: Yes.
Frank: Right! Right!
See more »
Alternate Versions
The Criterion Collection's Blu-Ray and DVD edition of Thief is a sort of hybrid between the theatrical version and the director's cut. The early scene from the director's cut with Willie Dixon has been added back in, but the rest of the film is the theatrical version, with the slow motion shots untouched. See more »Soundtracks
Confrontation(uncredited)
Written by Craig Safan
Played during the last scene and the end credits
See more »
Frequently Asked Questions
See more »Contribute to This Page
Watch Hollywood hits and TV favorites for free with IMDb Freedive. Start streaming on IMDb and Fire TV devices today!
Enjoy a night in with these popular movies available to stream now with Prime Video.
This is one of the few Michael Mann films I can stand to watch. Caan is at his absolute peak here, with his intensity just blazing off the screen. The supporting cast is excellent, the edits are perfect, everything just clicks.
As has been noted by other reviewers, the technical aspects of this film are right on the money. All the locations are really there (or were at one time) and the settings didn't have to be faked up. Yes, Chicago and surrounding Chicagoland is really like this, folks.
I try to watch this thing every few years. Should buy a DVD, I guess, and insert it into my permanent circular film buffer.
Highly, highly recommended.