Michael mann thief 1981 movie#
Even at this early stage of his directorial career, Michael Mann was honing his trademark style the movie features slick camera movements, and a moody musical score composed by Tangerine Dream. police force and the fire department to make sure that the studio wasn’t going to go up in flames.”ĭennis Farina was not only the one making his film debut the cast also included acting newcomers James Belushi, William Petersen, John Kapelos, and Robert Prosky. That paid off, because you really get the smell of that arc and you get the feel of the mass of that metal. There were layers and layers of metal and asbestos in the walls. “The jewelry store at the end was built at Zoetrope Studios in L.A.,” explained Mel Bourne. Though the crime was fictional, the production crew had other serious concerns. The big robbery was based on an actual heist masterminded by John Santucci, who went on to become a long-time technical consultant for Michael Mann. They used to come and stay with me, and they used to watch that movie once or twice a week. “I remember I had a bunch of friends going to Stanford at the time, and I knew a lot of the football players. Caan was not the only one who enjoyed the picture. Seated in a diner, the actor has a seven minute monologue with actress Tuesday Weld, talking about his character’s hopes and dreams. It's one of my fondest memories.” Thief also includes what James Caan considers to be his best performance. But I liked it, that film, and that character. And Michael - this little Napoleonic workaholic.
So you got knowledge from people who really knew what the hell was going on.”Īs for James Caan, he greatly enjoyed the cinematic experience, “Jerry Bruckheimer and my brother produced - and if you knew my brother, that's hysterical,” remarked the amused actor. He was a friend of Santucci’s and had pulled him in a number of times. Dennis Farina was on the Chicago police force at the time. “He helped us and told us scientifically, down to the specific tools, how safes were broken into. “We did so much research,” recalled Bourne.
Michael Mann and Mel Bourne went to great lengths to ensure an authentic environment. It was the start of what ended up in Miami Vice.” As for the dark interiors where shadows overpower the daylight, the movie’s production designer remarked, “We wanted that dreary, gritty, night look as a juxtaposition to the wet, neon exteriors.” To maintain this dramatic contrast, a 60,000 gallon water truck was employed to keep the streets constantly wet. “We sat down and talked and had a clear picture of what the James Caan character looked like, what he wore. “I saw elements in that script that I really liked.” And when the two men met they discovered themselves to be kindred spirits. “I got a call from him asking me if I would read the script for the picture he was doing,” began production designer Mel Bourne. I said I wanted to do this.”īehind the camera, Michael Mann sought help from a fellow Chicago native. So, at the time I was a big shot, and whatever I wanted to do, they did. I find out the guy did one thing, which I also saw, which is pretty good, The Jericho Mile. He asked if he could speak to me he hands me a script - I thought it was great after I read it. I see this guy sitting outside my trailer on a little wooden chair. “I think I was doing Chapter Two or something. “When I met Michael, he had done one thing,” recalled James Caan on how he became part of his favourite movie.
Michael mann thief 1981 professional#
Playing upon his fascination with the fine line that exists between the law enforcers and the lawbreakers, Mann had Chicago police officers Dennis Farina and Nick Nickeas appear as criminal henchmen, while former professional thief John Santucci plays a corrupt cop.įor the central character of Frank, the moviemaker had in a mind an actor who made a name for himself in The Godfather (1972). The crime noir was based on the novel The Home Invaders written by real life jewelry robber John Seyfold (under the pen name Frank Hohimer). movie The Jericho Mile, 1981 saw the release of Michael Mann’s first feature length film Thief. Leaving behind the prison walls of his Emmy-winning T.V.
Starring James Caan, Tuesday Weld, James Belushi, Dennis Farina, William Petersen and Robert Prosky.Ī professional safecracker’s plan for going straight spirals out-of-control when he becomes indebted to a crime boss.