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Theif

The movie Theif was based on the book The Home Invaders: Confessions of a Cat Burglar.

Which one did you like better, the movie or the book?  There are 14 votes for the book, and 13 votes for the movie.

Movie details for Theif

The movie was released in 1981 and directed by Michael Mann, who also directed Heat (1987) and The Last of the Mohicans (1992). Theif was produced by MGM (Video & DVD). More information on the movie is available on Amazon.com and also IMDb.

Actors on this movie include James Caan, Tuesday Weld, Willie Nelson, James Belushi, Robert Prosky, Tom Signorelli, Dennis Farina, Nick Nickeas, W.R. Brown, Norm Tobin, John Santucci, Gavin MacFadyen, Chuck Adamson, Sam Cirone, Spero Anast, Walter Scott, Sam T. Louis, William LaValley, Lora Staley and Hal Frank.

 

Read More About This Movie

Thief's dark noir spaces are tinged with the neon palette that has become the trademark of director Michael Mann (Miami Vice, Heat). This was his first theatrical film, and all the elements that characterize his later style (and this is a very stylistic ... Read More
Thief's dark noir spaces are tinged with the neon palette that has become the trademark of director Michael Mann (Miami Vice, Heat). This was his first theatrical film, and all the elements that characterize his later style (and this is a very stylistic film) are dominant. Equal parts grit and glamour, the story is simple. Frank (James Caan) is a lone-wolf jewel thief who was, in his words, brought up "by the state." In prison he was apprenticed to a master thief, played by Willie Nelson. When Frank's successful career comes to the attention of an avuncular syndicate boss (Robert Prosky), Frank is offered (and accepts against his better judgment) a deal that should allow him to retire and enjoy the family life he covets. But the deal sours, and Frank is left to decide what his nature truly is, lone wolf or family man. Thief melds its jazzy visual style with heightened realism: the jewel thief's tools of the trade are authentic, up to the 8,000 degree thermal lance used to cut through a nearly impregnable safe. Some of the bit parts are played by real-life, highly successful jewel thieves, who acted as consultants. And their presence informs the superb dialogue, as every word rings true. In one long, engrossing scene, James Caan gradually persuades the woman he wants to start a family with (Tuesday Weld in one of her most affecting performances) that they should be together. The film was photographed beautifully by Donald Thorin and further emboldened by the driving rhythms of Tangerine Dream. The DVD contains a very funny commentary track by the director and James Caan. --Jim Gay

Book details for The Home Invaders: Confessions of a Cat Burglar

The Home Invaders: Confessions of a Cat Burglar was written by Frank Hohimer. The book was published in 1975 by Chicago Review Press : distributed by the Swallow Press. More information on the book is available on Amazon.com.

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