Thief (film)

For other films by this name, see Thief (disambiguation) § Film and television.

Thief
Theatrical release poster
Directed byMichael Mann
Screenplay byMichael Mann
Story byMichael Mann
Based onThe Home Invaders
by Frank Hohimer
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyDonald E. Thorin
Edited byDov Hoenig
Music byTangerine Dream
Production
company
Mann/Caan Productions
Distributed byUnited Artists
Release date
  • March 27, 1981 (1981-03-27)
Running time
123 minutes[1]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$5.5 million[2]
Box office$11.5 million[3]

Thief is a 1981 American neo-noir[4][5] heist film written and directed by Michael Mann in his feature film debut. It stars James Caan as a professional safecracker trying to escape his life of crime, and Tuesday Weld as his wife. The supporting cast includes Jim Belushi, Robert Prosky, Dennis Farina, and Willie Nelson. The screenplay is inspired by the memoir The Home Invaders: Confessions of a Cat Burglar, by former cat burglar Frank Hohimer.[6] The original musical score was composed and performed by Tangerine Dream.

Produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and James Caan's brother Ronnie, Thief was screened at the 1981 Cannes Film Festival, where it competed for the Palme d'Or. It was released in the United States on March 27, 1981, to widespread critical acclaim. Thief earned $11.5 million at the box office, on a $5.5 million budget.

  1. ^ Staff (December 31, 1980). "Review: Thief". Variety. Retrieved July 15, 2017.
  2. ^ Siskel, Gene. (May 11, 1980). "Movies: James Caan: Frustrated star talks tough about his career Tough talk from a frustrated star". Chicago Tribune. p. d2.
  3. ^ "Thief". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved July 15, 2017.
  4. ^ "Thief (1981)". FilmAffinity.
  5. ^ Gadre, Soham (July 29, 2021). "Colorful and Sinister: The Neo-Noir Stylings of Michael Mann's 'Thief' and 'Manhunter'". Film Daze. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  6. ^ Canby, Vincent (March 27, 1981). "'THIEF,' WITH CAAN AND TUESDAY WELD". The New York Times. Retrieved August 6, 2024.