International Press Release Arrow Video Press Release: Thief (1981) (4k UHD) (2 Viewers)

[Ronald Epstein]

For his first theatrical feature, Michael Mann (Manhunter, Public Enemies) returned to the rain-soaked streets of his hometown, Chicago, for a stunning piece of neo-noir starring James Caan (The Godfather, Rollerball) at his toughest.

Caan plays Frank, a jewel thief and former convict who is looking to settle down with his girlfriend (Tuesday Weld, Once Upon a Time in America) and begin a family. But when his 'fence' is thrown from a window and the Chicago mafia begin to flex their muscles, his hopes of a quiet life become anything but...

With a sterling supporting cast in the shape of James Belushi, Robert Prosky, Willie Nelson and Dennis Farina, lush electronic score by Tangerine Dream and the assured direction of Mann, Thief is a standout eighties crime flick that paved the way for his later urban thrillers such as Heat and Collateral as well as Nicolas Winding Refn's Drive.

Product Features​

2-DISC 4K ULTRA HD BLU-RAY LIMITED EDITION CONTENTS

• Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by maarko phntm
• Collector's booklet featuring writing on the film by Brad Stevens, new essays by Barry Forshaw and Gillian Kelly, and a new comparison of the different cuts of the film by Stevens

DISC 1 - DIRECTOR'S CUT & EXTRAS (4K ULTRA HD BLU-RAY)

• Brand new 4K restoration of the Director's Cut from the original camera negative, approved by director Michael Mann
• 4K (2160p) UHD Blu-ray presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible)
• DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and stereo 2.0 audio
• Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
• Audio commentary by writer/director Michael Mann and actor James Caan
• The Directors: Michael Mann, a 2001 documentary on the filmmaker, containing interviews with Mann, James Belushi, William Petersen, Jon Voight and others
• Stolen Dreams, a 2014 interview with Caan
• Hollywood USA: James Caan, an episode of the French TV series Ciné regards devoted to the actor, filmed shortly after Thief had completed production
• The Art of the Heist, an examination of Thief by writer and critic F.X. Feeney, author of the Taschen volume on Michael Mann
• Thieves, a brand new comparison of the Theatrical Cut, 1995 Director's Special Edition and 2014 Director's Cut
• UK "Violent Streets" opening and closing titles
• Theatrical trailer

DISC 2 - THEATRICAL CUT (BLU-RAY) [LIMITED EDITION EXCLUSIVE]

• High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation of the original Theatrical Cut
• Original lossless English stereo 2.0 audio
• Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
• Optional isolated music and effects track

 

[SD_Brian]

Most likely the Blu-ray with the theatrical cut will be Region B.

Since I'm region free and since I already have the Criterion Blu-ray, I'll gladly pick up the Arrow 4k to complement the Criterion BD rather than upgrade to the Criterion 4k.

 

[Sam Favate]

Does this differ in any way from the recent Criterion 4k? Glad to see a worthy film getting so much attention but it’s weird to see two new releases of the same film in such a short time. (The Criterion came out in March.)

 

[SD_Brian]

Does this differ in any way from the recent Criterion 4k? Glad to see a worthy film getting so much attention but it’s weird to see two new releases of the same film in such a short time. (The Criterion came out in March.)

Different bonus features, inclusion of the theatrical cut, possible A/V differences, depending on authoring.

 

[Robert Crawford]

Different bonus features, inclusion of the theatrical cut, possible A/V differences, depending on authoring.

Yeah, I'm buying it mainly because of the theatrical cut on Blu-ray.