Home
search
more | tips
IMDb > Thief (1981)
Thief
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summaryplot synopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

Photos (see all 17 | slideshow)

Overview

User Rating:
7.2/10   4,423 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 63% in popularity this week. See rank & trends on IMDbPro.
Director:
Michael Mann
Writers:
Frank Hohimer (novel)
Michael Mann (screen story)
more
Contact:
View company contact information for Thief on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
27 March 1981 (USA) more
Genre:
Action | Crime | Drama | Thriller more
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. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
more
Awards:
2 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(5 articles)
Public Enemies Review: Robbed of a Solid Script
 (From TheHDRoom. 1 July 2009, 6:48 PM, PDT)

In My Opinion: Ranking the Films of Michael Mann
 (From Rope Of Silicon. 29 June 2009, 4:54 AM, PDT)

User Comments:
Michael Mann's Masterpiece more

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

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
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
Violent Streets (UK)
more
Runtime:
122 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Dolby
Certification:
Finland:K-18 (cut) | USA:R (certificate #26144) | Iceland:12 | 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 more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The long "sparkler" used to melt into the big jewel safe is a real tool, known as an oxy-lance. more
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. more
Quotes:
Leo: Plus, I've got a major score for you in Palm Springs in six weeks. more
Movie Connections:
Featured in "The Directors: The Films of Michael Mann (#2.1)" (2001) more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
21 out of 31 people found the following comment useful:-
Michael Mann's Masterpiece, 16 February 2001
Author: marquis de cinema from Boston, MA

Thief(1981) contains the best performance of James Caan as a professional thief in a rare leading role. He is complex and three deminsional as the protagonist, Frank. Thief(1981) is similar in many ideas to the Dustin Hoffman film, Straight Time(1977). One of the best directorial debut as Michael Mann gives a realistic portrayal of the hardships in being a professional thief. The movie does a good job in showing the corruption that Frank has to go against.

Its much better than Heat(1995) because it focuses on one person instead of trying to interweave in confusing detail the lives of two people who are opposite in job but the same in spirit. Willie Nelson is terrific in the small of of Frank's mentor, Okla. Robert Prosky is impressive as the father like crime boss, Leo. The heist scenes are the highlight of the film. Thief(1981) has to be one of the best movies to come out during the 1980s and is definitely the director's top film.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Thief (1981)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Theatrical Cut on FLIX? Lambadockis
Thief on Blu Ray? Cyronaseez
Bar where the band is playing Turning Point. firemanjohn628
Homoerotic subtext with Willie Nelson? hankpink
question about weapon used by Caan Milouaouu
What's the deal with Caan, Mann, and Tuesday Weld? PhaseLockedLoop
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Goodfellas Cradle 2 the Grave Heat The Negotiator Carlito's Way
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Action section IMDb USA section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.