Customer Reviews

Thief [DVD]

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This has got to be one of the best crime / thriller movies ever made. James Caan is a superb actor, who when given the right role is in a class of his own. This film is his finest hour and he delivers a moving performance as the main character. Caan plays Frank who is an expert safe cracker with dreams of retiring and starting a family with his lady played by Tuesday Weld. He foolishly agrees to work for the mob headed by evil Leo (Robert Prosky), safecracking to order in the belief that after 2 or 3 big scores he can leave with a nice nest egg with which to start his family. When Frank decides it's time to move on and leave his life of crime behind him he soon discovers that it's extremely difficult to walk away when the big time crooks don't want to see their meal ticket leave. This film slowly builds up to a final, bloody showdown with the tension almost becoming unbearable as Frank realises that he is going to have to take drastic action if he truly wants out of his shady profession. Superb.

This is Michael Mann's first effort, and also one of his best. James Caan is excellent as the hardened thief that does not give in to anyone. The "you have to be willing to walk out on everything in 60 seconds" theme will be used by Mann in other movies (notably "Heat"). The acting is good all around and so is the soundtrack by TAngerine Dream. Definitely one for the must watch list

Mann's first feature film abused and forgotten upon release then abused by MGM with a lousy non-anamorphic transfer in the early days of DVD. I have read some lukewarm reviews for this outstanding film's Optimum release. All untrue.. as this is struck from a new HD transfer.No it's not perfect, no it's not the director's cut which omits 4 minutes not crucial but detail and colors pop. This is a bare bones release, film only with the original 2 channel dolby stereo track heard in theaters back in 1981. All in all this is a must for the transfer alone.

Old school Michael Mann at his best. This is a slow burner but fascinating to watch. The climax is brutal and shocking. Caan exudes all things Mann-ish, the prototype for Petersen and Cruise, the essential Mann man - mean, ruthless, wrestling with a fragile humanity, the broken idealist in a world of pain. Tangerine dream soundtrack is class too.

This early Michael Mann (pre Miami Vice) movie took a impeccable dive into the mind of a professional thief. The movie features a major heist similar to the famous heist in RIFIFFI (1956).

James Caan (The Godfather), Robert Prosky, Tuesday Weld (Once upon a Time in America), Michael Mann all combine forces here to great effect.
This is Caan's finest performance as Frank (James Caan = not a brilliant actor anyway), he plays a middle-aged jewel thief who is obviously determined to make a long-cherished dream come true-- retire from his criminal life, marry, start a family, and live happily ever after (the ageless crime plot - one last score as seen in Heat).

Cann carries a photo collage in his wallet as a daily reminder of the "life" he one day hopes to have. He shares it only with Jessie (Tuesday Weld) because she is the only person with whom he wants to share that life. Meanwhile, Frank has met with Leo (Robert Prosky) who seems to take a paternal interest in Frank but only to gain his trust so that Frank will agree to an assignment for the mob. Of course, Leo has no intention of allowing him to retire. ..

Under Mann's direction, all of the performances are outstanding. I was especially interested in the care with which the major theft is planned and then executed. When Frank then realises that he cannot free himself from the mob, he reacts with prudence (to protect his wife and child) and then with rage and vengeance. The soundtrack and cinematography are brilliantly integrated within the narrative..

James Caan was perfect in this role...one of his best films. This is Heat in a raw format and works equally as well. Great script performed flawlessly. Buy it, watch it, watch it again!

It's a great film, a must have for people who like the genre, and/or Tuesday Weld. The music played by Tangerine Dream is a dream indeed. Too bad it has no subtitles.

Loved it. This is James Caan's finest hour, forget the Godfather Part 2. Excellent movie, five stars. Loved it .

I own 3 copies of Thief (region 1/region 2 and this) this has to be the worst version of the film to date, its got 2 channel stereo sound whilst earlier versions had 5.1 sound, this movie is very dark so why optimum have decided to use a single layer disc for this movie is beyond me, it would benefit from a higher bitrate (it should really fill a dual layer disc up to max out quality wise) because the film is mostly night time scenes.

this really is a bare bones release, no extras or anything, the american (region 1) dvd has a few special features which makes it more worthwhile ( http://www.amazon.com/Thief-James-Caan/dp/0792838947/ ).

The opening 10 minutes of this film are compelling; no dialogue, just the excellent soundtrack by Tangerine Dream and Michael Mann's stunning photography. Its a masterclass in how to start a film. Thereafter, the pressure doesn't let up, with excellent support from James Belushi, James Caan dominates the screen. Its a 1981 film but to my mind it doesn't date all that much; sure the cars are 1981, but the direction and production is bang up to date.

A cracking film, and worth 5 stars