Thief (movie)
| Thief | |
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Theatrical release poster
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| Directed by | Michael Mann |
| Produced by |
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| Screenplay by | Michael Mann |
| Story by | Michael Mann |
| Based on |
The Home Invaders by Frank Hohimer |
| Starring | |
| Music by | Tangerine Dream |
| Cinematography | |
| Edited by | Dov Hoenig |
| Distributed by | United Artists |
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Release date
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Running time
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122 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $5.5 million |
| Box office | $11.5 million |
Thief is a 1981 American neo-noir crime film written, produced and directed by Michael Mann in his feature film debut. It is based on the 1975 novel The Home Invaders: Confessions of a Cat Burglar by "Frank Hohimer" (the pen name of real-life jewel thief John Seybold). The film stars James Caan the titular thief, a professional safecracker trying to escape his life of crime, and Tuesday Weld as his girlfriend. The supporting cast includes Willie Nelson, James Belushi, Dennis Farina, and Robert Prosky. The original musical score was composed and performed by Tangerine Dream.
Frank (James Caan) is a jewel thief and ex-convict who has a set structure to his life. With a pair of successful Chicago businesses (a bar and a car dealership) as fronts for his criminal enterprise, Frank sets out to fulfill the missing part of his life vision: a family with Jessie (Tuesday Weld), a cashier he has begun dating.
After taking down a major diamond score, Frank gives the diamonds to his fence, Joe Gags. However, before Frank can collect his share, Gags is murdered for skimming from the mob collection money. Barry (James Belushi), Frank's friend and associate making the pick-up, discovers that a plating company executive Gags was working for, Attaglia, is responsible for Gags' murder and stealing Frank's payoff. In a confrontation at Attaglia's plating company, Frank demands his money back.
This leads to a meeting with Attaglia's employer Leo (Robert Prosky), a high-level fence and Chicago Outfit boss. Unknown to Frank, Leo has been receiving Frank's goods from Gags for some time. He admires Frank's eye for quality stolen goods and professionalism, and wants him working directly for him, offering Frank large profits. Their meeting is monitored from a distance by police surveillance.
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Wikipedia