James Caan is excellent as the tough guy with a rather too short fuse, not unlike his Oscar nominated tough guy in The Godfather (1972), while Tuesday Weld is a believable foil. The action, when it occurs, is quick and explosive and in the climax, again as in Heat, the criminal pushes his loved one aside. In Thief there is even a long dialogue scene in a diner between James Caan and Tuesday Weld to rival the one in Heat. There are scenes that are domestic and every day, almost banal, for criminals have families and relationships too, and there are sequences with sparse dialogue which play out slowly without quick editing. Like that film Thief is a film where the development of the relationships between the characters is paramount.
Thief was Michael Mann’s first theatrical feature and is in many ways a trial run for the fabulous Heat (1995). This “technical advice” and genuine equipment, not props, gives the film an authentic feel.
One of the technical advisors on the film was John Santucci he plays a policeman but was himself a professional thief who supplied a lot of the safecracking equipment that was used in the film. Thief, by screenwriter / director Michael Mann, is based upon the novel The Home Invaders by Frank Hohimer he was a real life professional thief who was in prison while Thief was in production. Leaving the Mob can be very hazardous indeed. But when Frank wants his share of the proceeds so that he can quit thieving and be a family man, Leo has other ideas. However despite the heat, Frank, Barry and Joseph successfully complete a major score in L.A. Frank refuses so is harassed by the police and his house and car bugged. Frank is reluctant until now he has relied on his business as a successful used car dealer to remain under the radar of the police but Frank has just met Jessie ( Tuesday Weld) and wants a big score so he can get out of the game and start a normal family life with her.įrank’s association with Leo, however, brings him to the attention of corrupt police officers including Sergeant Urizzi ( John Santucci), who want in on his next score. Through Attaglia Frank meets Mob boss Leo ( Robert Prosky) who gives Frank his money and, in addition, offers to set up scores for Frank. Frank is determined to get his money so visits Attaglia ( Tom Signorelli) who runs a front business for the Mob. After a successful robbery Frank turns over the stolen diamonds to his fence but before he can collect his money the fence is killed by the Mob. Turn it off here.įrank ( James Caan) is a safecracker in Chicago specialising in stealing diamonds with his work crew Barry ( Jim Belushi) and Joseph ( William LaValley). If you create a user account, you can add your own review of this DVDĪudio Commentary- Director Michael Mann and actor James CaanĪlternative Version- Both Theatrical Cut and Director's Cut are includedĮnglish Audio Commentary DTS HD Master Audio 2.0