Thief (1981)
Australian Premiere - 4K Restoration
‘Michael Mann … is one of the most inspired stylists in American cinema today, but it was all there from the start. In Thief, his first feature, you have echoes of [Jean-Pierre] Melville … a sharp eye for realism, but also profound human characters with precisely drawn relationships, and great acting.’ – Olivier Assayas
In Michael Mann’s remarkably assured theatrical feature debut, a skilled safecracker who spent his early adult life behind bars (James Caan) plans to pull off a final score and forge a respectable life with his girlfriend (Tuesday Weld). In pursuit of this dream, he agrees to become involved with the Mafia – in doing so, putting his hard-earned autonomy at risk.
Mann’s artistry, meticulous attention to detail and commitment to authenticity are all on full display in this hugely influential neo-noir. Featuring Donald Thorin’s moody cinematography, a hypnotic score by Tangerine Dream and one of Caan’s greatest performances, Thief announced the arrival of a fully formed director and provided the blueprint for his crime films to come.
Introduced by Anna Dzenis at Lido Cinemas and Blake Howard at Ritz Cinemas.
Rating
R18+
Duration
124 min
Country
United States
Language
English
Cast
James Caan, Tuesday Weld, Willie Nelson, James Belushi, Robert Prosky, Dennis Farina
Director
Michael Mann
