Description

Thief – Blu-ray Disc

Criterion Collection | 1981 | 125 min | Not Rated | March 11, 2025

Genres: Drama | Heist | ️‍♂️ Crime | ️ Film-Noir | Action | Thriller

Disc Specs

• Blu-ray Disc (BD-50)
• Video: MPEG-4 AVC | 1080p
• Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 (Original)
• Audio: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
• Subtitles: English SDH
• Region: Blu-ray Region A (locked)

Video Quality

5.0/5

Based on the same 4K restoration as the UHD disc, this 1080p encode still punches way above average for a decade-old transfer.

• Strong color grading, clean black levels, and great contrast, especially in the Chicago night scenes
• Neon signage, headlights, and fire effects glow beautifully — signature Mann aesthetics intact
• ️ Grain is visible but finely resolved, keeping the filmic texture consistent
• ️ No signs of DNR, edge enhancement, or artifacts — this is Criterion doing Blu-ray at its peak

➤ Still one of the best-looking Blu-rays for a pre-digital crime thriller — holds its own against many UHDs.

Audio Quality

5.0/5

• DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 — no remix tricks, just high-fidelity depth and grit
• Dialog is crisp, sound effects immersive, and the Tangerine Dream score is otherworldly
• ⚙️ The break-in scenes rumble with mechanical precision and layered ambiance

➤ A phenomenal mix — both cinematic and industrial, complementing the film’s cold, calculated tone.

Special Features (on Blu-ray Disc)

• ️ Archival Audio Commentary with Michael Mann & James Caan — great insights into authenticity, casting, and the Chicago criminal underworld
• Interview with Michael Mann (25 min) – In-depth 2013 chat about the film’s origins, lighting style, and real-world inspirations
• Interview with James Caan (11 min) – Discusses character prep, Mann’s direction, and shooting the pivotal scenes
• Tangerine Dream Featurette (16 min) – Johannes Schmoelling reflects on scoring the film and how Mann used their music
• Original Theatrical Trailer (2 min) – Gritty, atmospheric tease
• Booklet – Includes essay by critic Nick James and archival material

Packaging

• Minimalist Criterion foldout design
• Includes a booklet with art, essays, and notes
• Slick and shelf-worthy — feels like a piece of crime cinema history

Overall Score

5.0/5 – Elite Crime Classic on Blu-ray ️

✔️ This disc was already reference quality when it dropped in 2014 — and it still is
✔️ A perfect companion to the 4K disc — or a fantastic standalone for Blu-ray-only setups
✔️ Heist fans, noir lovers, and Mann completists — you want this disc in your collection.