Ok I got to say, there's a longer cut here in YT. A lot of extra scenes and expository dialogue etc. This recent version I saw had Caan talking to a fisherman right after the opening score. Seems like the version I've always watched the editor butchered it compared to what I've seen recently. Just thought I'd mention that
A very fine and damned-near perfect film that completely passed me by in 1981. One of the best of the year. A very real-feeling take on the one-last-score film.
The title "Thief" could, of couse, refer to James Caan's character, the jewel thief. Or, on a deeper level, the title "Thief" could refer to the Robert Prosky character, who quite literally steals James Caan's character's life. A deeper film than meets the eye!
Great observation, tdsafff, that never occurred to me before but you're right. The theft of this master thief's dream of love and freedom by the even bigger thief than him.
Prosky as Leo deserved at least a Supporting Oscar nomination for his debut. His first and best big-screen character. He stole the film (pun somewhat intended).
I was a high school kid with my mind focused on partying when I first saw Thief. I'm not paying full attention as the film is building up, was finding it kind of boring (typical high school teen, right?). Then suddenly, everything clicked in my mind. "Holy crap, this is a really good movie!", and this film had my full attention. I ended up buying it later. What a masterpiece of film noir. "Mexico"
When I was a kid, "Thief" was on Showtime in 1982. It was only being shown once more and I didn't want to miss it. It was on at 4am. So I set my alarm and got up to watch it. Really enjoyed it.
I remember seeing this when it came on super channel in 1981. I was forced to watch it on a black-and-white TV but I didn’t care. This is the movie that got me into tangerine dream and the soundtrack still ranks as one of the greatest ever made. It gave TD their second wind in the 80’s as they became one of the most requested bands for movie soundtracks.
I saw this on the big screen when it first came out in 81. The final scene was pretty hairy and shocking by the standards of those days and the end theme music was riveting. By the mid 80's, Miami Vice was serving up the same menu every Friday night on NBC.
Highly underated film Caan says he's most proud of this movie and all the supporting cast nail it I believe first film for William Peterson and Farina Santuchi's Urizzi is one of my all time favorites
Yeah, funny how both of Manhunter’s leads, Petersen and Farina, both had fairly discrete and unassuming roles in this picture. Farina was still a Chicago PD detective at the time.
I think roger put this film in his top ten best movies of the year list. I agree it's great film. One of James Cann best don't worry I have not forgotten The Godfather as sonny another great performance by cann. One of many great films by Michael Mann the screenplay and directing and editing. The whole look of film beautiful. Let's not forget the score Tangerine Dream incredible.
That scene reminds me so much of the scene from Heat, where De Niro's character is lamenting not having enough time, just wanting to make one last score so he can get away, get out of the game, and retire in Fiji (with the iridescent algae).
Common theme in most of Mann's films - time being part of the external forces at work on us all often forcing characters to make decisions they wouldn't otherwise make.
This is such an underrated movie. I like the movie 'Heat', but it is basically a reboot of this movie with a bigger budget and more action. But I think Thief is actually the better film. It is possibly James Caan's greatest performance. And like S&E said, the supporting cast is equally great. The scene with Prosky laying down the law with Caan in the factory is truly epic.
Both Thief and Heat are great, great films. The two advantages Thief has over Heat is the lurid photography, and an exhilarating Tangerine Dream score.
Yeah, I always preferred the mystique and menace of Thief. It’s from a murkier and more low-tech era, whereas Heat was more forward thinking both visually and technologically. There’s no question that Heat is a terrific picture, but Thief is more closely aligned with my aesthetic preferences.
God I finally need to see this movie. I've only ever seen 2 Michael Mann films ever - _Manhunter_ and _Collateral_ - but I really need to see _Thief_ and _Heat._
That would be Spot the Wonder Dog....they used the pup to talk about their weekly "Dogs Of The Week", movies so horrible they don't get the normal reviews like the others do...
They are both amazing. Thief is on the ground running, and showcases what makes Michael Mann one of the best action directors of all time, and Heat is a magnum opus, larger, and more ephemeral and lingering. Great films both, I wouldn't pick one over the other though.
“The best movie to come out in 1981…” WOW!!! What it would be like to live again during this time, but as the adult I am now. So many classics come out during the next few years. Raiders of the Lost Ark, E.T., Poltergeist, Return of the Jedi, Ghostbusters, etc., etc. The Atari 2600 was king. Arcades. Pop culture wasn’t even a reference yet. It was literally being made! Ok, I’ll stop now. I need some $5/gas, with $6 pound of butter and wonder why President Trump is a political prisoner in the good ‘ole U.S.of A.
Great Michael Mann film. Direction, acting, editing and Tangerine Dream score are all fantastic.
Yeah I liked it too.
Compare it to Mann's later HEAT.
Thief and Heat are my two favorite films of his
Ok I got to say, there's a longer cut here in YT. A lot of extra scenes and expository dialogue etc.
This recent version I saw had Caan talking to a fisherman right after the opening score.
Seems like the version I've always watched the editor butchered it compared to what I've seen recently.
Just thought I'd mention that
A very fine and damned-near perfect film that completely passed me by in 1981. One of the best of the year. A very real-feeling take on the one-last-score film.
Thief, Manhunter and Heat are the definitive Michael Mann films.
Hear hear! In that same order too!
My favorite Mann films are Thief, Manhunter and Last of the Mohicans.
The insider is great also, along with Collateral.
Yup. The Insider and Collateral are excellent too. Public Enemies, sadly, kinda sucked. It had so much potential.
But none beat The Insider.
The title "Thief" could, of couse, refer to James Caan's character, the jewel thief. Or, on a deeper level, the title "Thief" could refer to the Robert Prosky character, who quite literally steals James Caan's character's life. A deeper film than meets the eye!
He reminds me of Whitey Bulger, but at that time, Whitey was still an active crime boss in Boston.
Great observation, tdsafff, that never occurred to me before but you're right. The theft of this master thief's dream of love and freedom by the even bigger thief than him.
Thief makes for a terrific late night noir watch.
Prosky as Leo deserved at least a Supporting Oscar nomination for his debut. His first and best big-screen character. He stole the film (pun somewhat intended).
I was a high school kid with my mind focused on partying when I first saw Thief. I'm not paying full attention as the film is building up, was finding it kind of boring (typical high school teen, right?). Then suddenly, everything clicked in my mind. "Holy crap, this is a really good movie!", and this film had my full attention.
I ended up buying it later. What a masterpiece of film noir. "Mexico"
When I was a kid, "Thief" was on Showtime in 1982. It was only being shown once more and I didn't want to miss it. It was on at 4am.
So I set my alarm and got up to watch it. Really enjoyed it.
I admire your dedication
You sound like a true cinephile. Do you still love movies?
Great story, and good you didn't miss it.
This film made even Jim Belushi look good. James Caan in one of his top tier performances!
Lol yes a nice Belushi performance.
I remember seeing this when it came on super channel in 1981. I was forced to watch it on a black-and-white TV but I didn’t care. This is the movie that got me into tangerine dream and the soundtrack still ranks as one of the greatest ever made. It gave TD their second wind in the 80’s as they became one of the most requested bands for movie soundtracks.
One of my favorites. A hidden gem really.
"Thief" is a masterpiece. Robert Protsky played the most realistic mob boss in cinema history.
Wasn't he terrific as Leo? Whereas the Italian guy who calls people Slick, James Caan was able to ambush him with a refrigerator door.
I saw this on the big screen when it first came out in 81. The final scene was pretty hairy and shocking by the standards of those days and the end theme music was riveting. By the mid 80's, Miami Vice was serving up the same menu every Friday night on NBC.
Highly underated film Caan says he's most proud of this movie and all the supporting cast nail it I believe first film for William Peterson and Farina Santuchi's Urizzi is one of my all time favorites
Yeah, funny how both of Manhunter’s leads, Petersen and Farina, both had fairly discrete and unassuming roles in this picture. Farina was still a Chicago PD detective at the time.
I think roger put this film in his top ten best movies of the year list. I agree it's great film. One of James Cann best don't worry I have not forgotten The Godfather as sonny another great performance by cann. One of many great films by Michael Mann the screenplay and directing and editing. The whole look of film beautiful. Let's not forget the score Tangerine Dream incredible.
That scene reminds me so much of the scene from Heat, where De Niro's character is lamenting not having enough time, just wanting to make one last score so he can get away, get out of the game, and retire in Fiji (with the iridescent algae).
Common theme in most of Mann's films - time being part of the external forces at work on us all often forcing characters to make decisions they wouldn't otherwise make.
Siskel gives a spot on review.
This is such an underrated movie. I like the movie 'Heat', but it is basically a reboot of this movie with a bigger budget and more action. But I think Thief is actually the better film. It is possibly James Caan's greatest performance. And like S&E said, the supporting cast is equally great. The scene with Prosky laying down the law with Caan in the factory is truly epic.
James Caan's best role/performance. One of Mann's best films. A great movie.
This is one of James Caan scorcher performances. They should have given him more credit.
One of my all-time favorite movies. A true gem from the early eighties
Same here, 100%.
Great!
One of the best films I’ve ever seen
So good on so many different levels
Both Thief and Heat are great, great films. The two advantages Thief has over Heat is the lurid photography, and an exhilarating Tangerine Dream score.
Yeah, I always preferred the mystique and menace of Thief. It’s from a murkier and more low-tech era, whereas Heat was more forward thinking both visually and technologically.
There’s no question that Heat is a terrific picture, but Thief is more closely aligned with my aesthetic preferences.
This is a great movie, and I'm pleased with how Gene and Roger reviewed it. Both brought up great points.
Man! Ebert is never wrong it seems like haha
God I finally need to see this movie. I've only ever seen 2 Michael Mann films ever - _Manhunter_ and _Collateral_ - but I really need to see _Thief_ and _Heat._
Awesome James Caan film, very underrated.
One of the best films of the 80’s
Ebert and Siskel were competitive with each other. People thought they were pals but they were not really.
No Oscar nods for nothing!
Anyone who loves "Heat" needs to see this earlier Mann film as soon as possible. 👍👍
5:23 And who is the doggy???? 🐶😄
That would be Spot the Wonder Dog....they used the pup to talk about their weekly "Dogs Of The Week", movies so horrible they don't get the normal reviews like the others do...
love movies. used to watch this review with my Dad. love you Dad.
Me too!
Thief and Rollerball his best films-- James Caan
This scene sort of reminds me of the Robert De Niro movie Taxi Driver with De Niro asking Cybil Sheppard out to a movie.
Great upload. Thanks for this.
Prosky stole the show in Christine from an also excellent lead actor.
Why are they so dismissive of James Caan. The actor playing the mob boss is excellent but so is Caan.
I tend to agree with siskel more than ebert almost always
😊❤😊😊😊😊great movie
And there wouldn't be an intelligent movie on the heist world until "The Score" MANY years later.
So you're saying Heat (1995), made by the same filmmaker, wasn't an intelligent movie dealing with the heist world?
With the level of Surveillance technology today, this heist could never be pulled off.
Then again, today's high tech surveillance can be hacked. The old analog technology could be harder to defeat in some ways.
…yeah?
@@norwegianblue2017 Can be, but not in the manner in which he is illustrating it in this scene.
Thief is good but Heat is pretty much superior in every way. Unless you insist your films be brief.
I feel the exact opposite.
They are both amazing. Thief is on the ground running, and showcases what makes Michael Mann one of the best action directors of all time, and Heat is a magnum opus, larger, and more ephemeral and lingering. Great films both, I wouldn't pick one over the other though.
“The best movie to come out in 1981…” WOW!!!
What it would be like to live again during this time, but as the adult I am now.
So many classics come out during the next few years. Raiders of the Lost Ark, E.T., Poltergeist, Return of the Jedi, Ghostbusters, etc., etc.
The Atari 2600 was king.
Arcades.
Pop culture wasn’t even a reference yet. It was literally being made!
Ok, I’ll stop now. I need some $5/gas, with $6 pound of butter and wonder why President Trump is a political prisoner in the good ‘ole U.S.of A.