Thief is a huge underrated classic and I have it on the now OOP Criterion edition. This movie which was Mann's directorial debut essentially defined a lot of Mann later work from TV show Miami Vice to Movies Heat & Collateral. Caan is great and it has one of the greatest finales filmed with Caan taking out Prosky and his team. 100% a great movie. RIP James Caan.
Rest in peace, James Caan, you were an absolute legend. Since I didn't see "The Godfather" or "Misery" until years later, I was first introduced to him via "Elf!"
Always liked everything he was in. one of my all time favorites. we used to quote some of the lines in the movie that stuck out when we first seen the movie..
They showed the wrong line up in the picture. The members at the time were Edgar Froese, Christopher Franke, Johannes Schmoelling. The ones in the picture probably weren’t even born yet.😂
BIG TIME, as to the score! My favorite piece was the scene when Frank was driving in downtown Chicago, and over the main track, they let loose these subtle trumpet "ruffles." Sometimes I load up the movie just to watch that scene.
Michael Mann's often overlooked masterpiece. Crazy to think that this is his first directoral feature, too. Other than The Godfather I and II, this is my favorite Cann role. Rest easy.
I kid you not, the very night before he was announced to have died, I googled him to check if he was still alive and was relieved to find he still was... a very spooky experience. RIP Mr Caan, your work lives on x
A personal favorite (big Michael Mann fan here). This is the kind of film that really doesn't get made anymore, quite sadly. Definitely among James Caan's best performances. True legend.
RIP, Sonny Corleone. We miss you. This was also Michael Mann's first film as a director. He would direct The Keep 1983, Manhunter 1986, Last Of The Mohicans 1992, Heat 1995, The Insider 1999, Ali 2001, Collateral 2004, Miami Vice 2006, Public Enemies 2009, and Blackhat 2015.
One of my all-time favorite films and James Caan's most underrated performance for sure. It's a small scale heist for that evolves into a much greater story by the end, and has one of the best final acts of the 80s. Love this film.
I don't think this movie ever gets enough credit. this and American Gigolo are basically THE movies that started the whole 80s aesthetic.. you can say Michael Mann and Paul Schrader basically developed an aesthetic that defined an whole decade. and then again Mann created Miami Vice, which was one of the quintessential piece of the 80s
Still remember seeing this movie as a teenager in a now old fashioned movie theatre in 1981. I was totally blown away by all of it, and went on to see it about 50 times. Never got tired of it. Michael Mann's style is top drawer, and the entire cast gave excellent performances. The score by Tangerine Dream remains one of the best ever made in film. I stayed on with Mann through Miami Vice, Manhunter (highly recommended) and of course the classic "Heat".
Watch this at least twice a year , it's one of my favorites. When I heard he had passed this was the first movie of his I put in . I don't know many people that haven't seen it . R.I.P. the LEGENDARY James Caan .
I've known about this movie since I was a kid in the 90's which I rented from the video store, great character piece with top notch direction and performances, plus the score is amazing too, own it on Blu-ray and love rewatching it.
Caan had such a huge body of work. I've always been a huge fan of his acting, even his cameo in Santa's Slay was fun. I caught Thief on cable in the 80s and loved it. I saw it again recently and it is so good. I recently watched The Gambler 1974, it was good and Caan really chews up the screen. It's not as good as Thief but it's very good and I am really glad I watched it. RIP...
I couldn't agree more with many of the comments I'm reading here. I was one of the few that got to see this movie when it first came out in the theaters in 1981. It was one of the first times I sat through the entire credits just so I could listen to the music fell in love with the music and the movie Always been a James Caan fan since the Godfather thief is also one of my all time favorites. "I am the last guy you wanna (bleep) with!" Love it! This is also the moment when I became a huge Michael Mann fan!
Thief is my favourite James Caan movie, it really it a showcase for his talent and he has so many great lines. It’s also one of Michael Mann’s best film’s and i love the soundtrack too. It’s a must see for any fan of James Caan. I recommend The Gambler too. Rest in peace Mr Caan.
Aww man, I had no idea he passed away. Thanks for opening my eyes to this movie. As the style of "Mean Streets" set the precedence for "Taxi Driver", I'm eager to see where the Michael Mann film style first got its wings.
Great choice amazing film, shocking how many film lovers haven't seen this, Caan I feel was underrated despite respect he got so solid & believable in his roles.Have tried to see as many of Caans films, its not loved by critics but Rollerball is a good sci-fi sport film too. Thankyou & RIP JC
When my wife and I heard of Caan's death, we both felt sad. Which of his films to watch to honor his memory? We both immediately said "Thief". Tough, gritty and very stylish. A terrific movie.
I found this film because of the Tangerine Dream. And oh boy, how good the soundtrack is. As for the film itself - it's gorgeous! People are real here. No fancy high-talks. Just life.
One of my favorite movies for quotable lines. I even worked in the building where a part of the movie was shot. When Frank walks into the Plating Company you see a large walk in safe. That was our building. Recognized the back office also. Great movie.
The role of a lifetime. The kind of starring role most actors only dream of, I was familiar with James Caan, but after seeing Thief he became one of my top 5 favorite actors. All of Michael Mann's movies "go hard", and all have amazing endings, but Theif probably has the best ending scene of any movie ever.
I'm so glad you covered this crime film classic. I bought the MGM DVD on a blind buy because of it being a Michael Mann film I'd never seen with James Caan. It's a fantastic film and one of the best in their respective canons.
Glad you mentioned Drive it's definitely similar. Leo's speech is classic! Reminiscent of a real Mafia capo for sure. The diner conversation w frank and his gf is reenacted at acting schools to this day. My dad took me to see this when I was 12 in 1981 and I always liked it.
I worked in a movie theater when this movie came out, saw it many times, liked it a lot, Caan was great in it, good chemistry with well cast Tuesday Weld
Hi @JoBlo Originals ~ First, I want to thank you for paying tribute to a great film, a great director and a great actor, James Caan. As it is probably my all-time favorite film, scored by one of my all-time favorite Krautrock bands, Tangerine Dream, it's pretty special to see it praised in this manner. There's one thing about the tribute, however, that I want to point out to you. When you give a well-deserved mention to the German electronic music godfathers, Tangerine Dream, you employed a photo of the band that came well after the band that actually put together the score for the film, "Thief." The version of the Tangerine Dream trio that worked on the score for Michael Mann was led by founding member, Edgar Froese, and included Christopher Franke and the great soloist, Johannes Schmoelling. As you accurately pointed out, they became much better known in the 80s because their work was featured in some notable films during that period of time, including 1983's, "Risky Business." Founding member, Edgar Froese, passed away in 2015 and, being one of the most highly-regarded Krautrock composers, he deserves a proper mention when it comes to this particular classic film score. Regardless, I want to thank you again for doing the right thing by paying tribute to this classic film. Please keep up the good work. RIP Jimmy C.
I love reading up on movies. And this one definitely had me intrigued by the synopsis. Looking forward to seeing this very soon. Also I was mainly introduce to James Caan in his later years on movies of the 2000s. Always felt he was such a distinguished actor. Looking at his discography only confirms this. RIP James Caan
I F’n love Thief. Saw it only 12 years ago but watched it twice after I bought it. Definitely bought the Blu-ray first day. I always recommend this one to people. Got the soundtrack on CD. This was my go to after I heard he passed. Rest In Peace Mr Caan. You were a awesome person.
I really enjoy most of Michael Mann's shows and movies. Crime Story wit Dennis Farina was super under rated as well seeing him mentioned in the video. James Caan of course one of the greats and both will be missed.
Honestly, after you play GTA V, watch Thief, the soundtrack (by Tangerine Dream), camera angles, cutscenes all scream Michael Mann. A good example is the winter driving scene with Michael's flashbacks, coupled with a heavy 80s synth piece, it's SO Michael Mann! Legit this is pretty much GTA V the movie! haha. I love Mann's work, Miami Vice, HEAT, Manhunter etc! all amazing work.
When i heard about his death i was sadden as i it was long lost uncle. i grew on this guys machismo along with other tough guys of the Hollywood. i guess the media industrial complex was ramping up their training for a whole new generation. Prepared the pre-teen for the upcoming wars of the 2000s. So i was one of them. its not easy to watch movies now and kinda not want to watch new movies again. The training given now to the new generation is no longer about a war. So the media does not push the tough image anymore. Its not needed. I am from the tough guy age of Hollywood. probably gonna stay that way for the rest of my life. lol. Rest in Peace James. thank you for your service.
Totally agree. This is a cracking movie for so many reasons and you see how this film bled into so many of Mann's films years later. Totally second, The Jericho Mile and Killer Elite. Well worth watching. I feel Thief and The Gambler are the perfect Caan double feature. RIP Jimmy Caan. There was no one like you.
Thief one of the best movies I have seen 40 years ago James Caan was awesome as far as my favorite movie I got to go with El Dorado you listen to his commentary on the DVD about John Wayne is hilarious
LOL, very good point, a lot of other directors in the early 80's were still releasing movies that felt very 70's but Mann even with this movie in 1981 was bringing something new and fresh to filmmaking.
I re-watched Thief Friday night. Like a fine wine it gets better with age. Phenomenal movie. The Gambler is another great Jimmy Caan movie worth a shot, what a magnificent actor
I've been a fan of Thief since the 1980's. I've watched the VHS countless times with my best friend. I was so happy when it got the Criterion treatment. And, yes, it is James Caan's magnum opus.
It is one of my all time favorites. Though its old camera work, James makes the movie. One of my favorite quotes, not from this movie but another unique of his. "Karma's only justice without the satisfaction, and I don't believe in justice" James Caan
