Thief (1981)
Crime, Thriller, Drama • 2h 3m
Overview
Frank is an expert professional safecracker, specialized in high-profile diamond heists. He plans to use his ill-gotten income to retire from crime and build a nice life for himself complete with a home, wife and kids. To accelerate the process, he signs on with a top gangster for a big score.
Director: Michael Mann
Cast: James Caan, Tuesday Weld, Robert Prosky, Willie Nelson, Jim Belushi, 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, Hal Frank, Del Close, Bruce A. Young, John Kapelos, Mike Genovese, Joan Lazzerini, Beverly Somerman, Enrico R. Cannataro, Mary Louise Wade, Donna J. Fenton, Thomas Giblin, Willie Hayes, Conrad Mocarski, Benny Turner, William Petersen, Steve Randolph, Nancy Santucci, Nathan Davis, Thomas O. Erhart Jr., Fredric Stone, Robert J. Kuper, Joene Hanhardt, Marge Kotlisky, J. Jay Saunders, Susan McCormick, Karen Berger, Michael Paul Chan, Tom Howard, Richard Karie, Oscar DiLorenzo, Patty Ross, Margot Charlior
Director: Robert Wise
Disney 4K Blu-ray, see caps https://slow.pics/c/hE3HUCdj
Disney 4K Atmos is great, a reference quality track. It's a very slight remix (music seems to be from a better source), but it's completely seamless and faithful to the original, better fidelity than anything since the 1994 30th Anniversary Edition LaserDisc.
All DVDs (and 2010 Blu-ray) sound far worse than the 4K Blu-ray/LaserDisc and have various missing sound cues.
Director: Robert Wise
Disney 4K Blu-ray, see caps https://slow.pics/c/hE3HUCdj
Disney 4K Atmos is great, a reference quality track. It's a very slight remix (music seems to be from a better source), but it's completely seamless and faithful to the original, better fidelity than anything since the 1994 30th Anniversary Edition LaserDisc.
All DVDs (and 2010 Blu-ray) sound far worse than the 4K Blu-ray/LaserDisc and have various missing sound cues.
Director: Paul W. S. Anderson
Arrow includes the original theatrical sound mix in all its glory. All previous releases other than the 1996 AC-3 LaserDisc were tamed relative to the original theatrical DTS track.
The disc is authored by Duplitech, but doesn't exhibit any compression issues, though the image is pretty soft, that's likely just down to the stock used.
Old New Line Video LaserDiscs include an exclusive commentary track.
Director: Paul W. S. Anderson
Arrow includes the original theatrical sound mix in all its glory. All previous releases other than the 1996 AC-3 LaserDisc were tamed relative to the original theatrical DTS track.
The disc is authored by Duplitech, but doesn't exhibit any compression issues, though the image is pretty soft, that's likely just down to the stock used.
Old New Line Video LaserDiscs include an exclusive commentary track.
Director: John McTiernan
Director: John McTiernan
Director: Jean Vigo
Director: Jean Vigo
Director: Jean Vigo
Director: Jean Vigo
Director: Jean Vigo
Director: Jean Vigo
Directors: Jean Vigo & Boris Kaufman
Directors: Jean Vigo & Boris Kaufman
Director: Danny Boyle
Criterion 2026 4K Blu-ray (UPC 715515334617)
Criterion 2026 4K Blu-ray (UPC 715515334617) > Criterion 2024 4K Blu-ray > Film4 4K Blu-ray
5.1: Universal EU Blu-ray - Criterion and Lionsgate are missing LFE, otherwise the same
Stereo: Criterion 4K Blu-ray
Film4 4K Blu-ray is on a BD-66, both Criterion releases are on BD-100 discs.
Criterion 2024 release bitrate: 94.67 mbps
Criterion 2026 release bitrate: 93.66 mbps
Film4 bitrate: 62.00 mbps
Director: Danny Boyle
Criterion 2026 4K Blu-ray (UPC 715515334617)
Criterion 2026 4K Blu-ray (UPC 715515334617) > Criterion 2024 4K Blu-ray > Film4 4K Blu-ray
5.1: Universal EU Blu-ray - Criterion and Lionsgate are missing LFE, otherwise the same
Stereo: Criterion 4K Blu-ray
Film4 4K Blu-ray is on a BD-66, both Criterion releases are on BD-100 discs.
Criterion 2024 release bitrate: 94.67 mbps
Criterion 2026 release bitrate: 93.66 mbps
Film4 bitrate: 62.00 mbps
Director: Paul Thomas Anderson
Like previous releases, the 4K Blu-ray was scanned from an interpositive rather than the original camera negative at Paul Thomas Anderson’s request which may explain the softness.
Director: Paul Thomas Anderson
Like previous releases, the 4K Blu-ray was scanned from an interpositive rather than the original camera negative at Paul Thomas Anderson’s request which may explain the softness.
Director: Wolfgang Petersen
Shout! Factory 4K Blu-ray The DV FEL layer noticeably restores high-frequency detail that’s missing from the base layer. See caps. issue: the 4K disc is missing chyron in some beginning shots. TBC officially.
5.1: Shout! Factory 4K Blu-ray
Stereo: US Warner Bros LaserDisc
Director: Wolfgang Petersen
Shout! Factory 4K Blu-ray The DV FEL layer noticeably restores high-frequency detail that’s missing from the base layer. See caps. issue: the 4K disc is missing chyron in some beginning shots. TBC officially.
5.1: Shout! Factory 4K Blu-ray
Stereo: US Warner Bros LaserDisc
Director: Michael Mann
Theatrical Cut: Old Warner Bros DVD or fan restoration
Revised Cut: 2012 Japan Blu-ray for less revisionist colors, 2022 Disney 4K Blu-ray is controversially regraded and too dark overall.
Theatrical Cut: Old Warner Bros DVD or fan restoration
Revised Cut: 2012 Japan Blu-ray for less revisionist colors, 2022 Disney 4K Blu-ray is controversially regraded and too dark overall.
Director: Michael Mann
Theatrical Cut: Old Warner Bros DVD or fan restoration
Revised Cut: 2012 Japan Blu-ray for less revisionist colors, 2022 Disney 4K Blu-ray is controversially regraded and too dark overall.
Theatrical Cut: Old Warner Bros DVD or fan restoration
Revised Cut: 2012 Japan Blu-ray for less revisionist colors, 2022 Disney 4K Blu-ray is controversially regraded and too dark overall.
Director: Michael Mann
OOP KL Blu-ray
Director: Michael Mann
OOP KL Blu-ray
Director: Michael Mann
Director: Michael Mann
Director: Michael Mann
Paramount/Plaion Spain/Italy 4K Blu-ray has better encoding than the US 4K Blu-ray.
Paramount US 4K Blu-ray: the EUR 4K has missing dialog.
Director: Michael Mann
Paramount/Plaion Spain/Italy 4K Blu-ray has better encoding than the US 4K Blu-ray.
Paramount US 4K Blu-ray: the EUR 4K has missing dialog.
Director: Michael Mann
Theatrical: Universum Film Germany Blu-ray 2004 Director's Cut: Sony Director's Cut DVD 2017 Director's Cut: Sony Blu-ray
Director: Michael Mann
Theatrical: Universum Film Germany Blu-ray 2004 Director's Cut: Sony Director's Cut DVD 2017 Director's Cut: Sony Blu-ray
Director: Michael Mann
Imprint 4K Blu-ray is slightly better than the Vinegar Syndrome 4K Blu-ray see caps https://slow.pics/c/E1WBYjTH
See also this Vinegar Syndrome 4K Blu-ray vs Blu-ray caps https://slow.pics/c/OzvKrEEl
Imprint 4K Blu-ray has the same audio as Vinegar Syndrome
Director: Michael Mann
Imprint 4K Blu-ray is slightly better than the Vinegar Syndrome 4K Blu-ray see caps https://slow.pics/c/E1WBYjTH
See also this Vinegar Syndrome 4K Blu-ray vs Blu-ray caps https://slow.pics/c/OzvKrEEl
Imprint 4K Blu-ray has the same audio as Vinegar Syndrome
Director: Michael Mann
Shout! Factory 4K Blu-ray upcoming
Director: Michael Mann
Shout! Factory 4K Blu-ray upcoming
Director: Michael Mann
Director: Michael Mann
Director: Michael Mann
Director: Michael Mann
Director: Michael Mann
Arrow 4K 4K Blu-ray
Arrow 4K 4K Blu-ray
Director: Michael Mann
Arrow 4K 4K Blu-ray
Arrow 4K 4K Blu-ray
Director: Jean Renoir
The Criterion 4K Blu-ray has marginally better detail and grain structure than ESC 4K Blu-ray
The ESC France 4K Blu-ray is an SDR grade erroneously presented in HDR, but if your player can force the HDR into SDR it looks very good.
Director: Jean Renoir
The Criterion 4K Blu-ray has marginally better detail and grain structure than ESC 4K Blu-ray
The ESC France 4K Blu-ray is an SDR grade erroneously presented in HDR, but if your player can force the HDR into SDR it looks very good.
Director: John Waters
Director: John Waters
Director: Sidney Lumet
2026 Criterion 4K Blu-ray
2011 Criterion Blu-ray is the best. Kino Lorber 4K Blu-ray has heavily filtered audio
Director: Sidney Lumet
2026 Criterion 4K Blu-ray
2011 Criterion Blu-ray is the best. Kino Lorber 4K Blu-ray has heavily filtered audio
2025 Sony 4K Blu-ray
2025 Sony 4K Blu-ray
2025 Sony 4K Blu-ray
2025 Sony 4K Blu-ray
Director: John Waters
Director: John Waters
Director: David Lynch
Criterion 4K Blu-ray or Germany Plaion 4K Blu-ray - subtle difference in encoding to the Criterion in encoding, trading blows in different shots, with Plaion taking a slight edge with less highlight blocking
1993 MGM LaserDisc/2000 Region 1 MGM DVD
Criterion's 2.0 sounds muffled due to noise reduction and EQ.
Plaion's 2.0 lacks bass and has a very bright EQ, more resembling the 5.1 remix. Plaion’s 2.0 doesn't have any filtering unlike the Criterion, see https://forum.blu-ray.com/showpost.php?p=23831289&postcount=110
Director: David Lynch
Criterion 4K Blu-ray or Germany Plaion 4K Blu-ray - subtle difference in encoding to the Criterion in encoding, trading blows in different shots, with Plaion taking a slight edge with less highlight blocking
1993 MGM LaserDisc/2000 Region 1 MGM DVD
Criterion's 2.0 sounds muffled due to noise reduction and EQ.
Plaion's 2.0 lacks bass and has a very bright EQ, more resembling the 5.1 remix. Plaion’s 2.0 doesn't have any filtering unlike the Criterion, see https://forum.blu-ray.com/showpost.php?p=23831289&postcount=110
Director: David Lynch
Criterion 4K Blu-ray is closer to the original DVDs than the 2015 Criterion release, not sure about whether the StudioCanal 4K is like the Criterion 4K/original DVD
Criterion 4K Blu-ray has FEL Dolby Vision, StudioCanal 4K Blu-ray has MEL
Director: David Lynch
Criterion 4K Blu-ray is closer to the original DVDs than the 2015 Criterion release, not sure about whether the StudioCanal 4K is like the Criterion 4K/original DVD
Criterion 4K Blu-ray has FEL Dolby Vision, StudioCanal 4K Blu-ray has MEL
Director: Ridley Scott
Capelight 4K Blu-ray has better encode than Criterion 4K Blu-ray
Director: Ridley Scott
Capelight 4K Blu-ray has better encode than Criterion 4K Blu-ray
Edit History
6/8/2026
Additional Info
From
To
Arrow and Criterion 4K Blu-rays have differing extras, Arrow LE has Theatrical cut Blu-ray from older HD master, most likely from a 2K scan of an interpositive.
5/21/2026
Additional Info
12/22/2025
Best Video Release
From
Arrow 4K Blu-ray is encoded by FiM encode is better than Criterion, see caps https://slow.pics/c/Z2RRQAAT
Criterion 4K Blu-ray Vinegar Syndrome Blu-ray: caps colors are more different and nuanced than anticipated even in the SDR-converted caps and the usual gain in highlight detail is also apparent. Encode looks excellent except for the brightest areas as usual.
To
Arrow 4K Blu-ray is encoded by FiM encode is better than Criterion, see caps https://slow.pics/c/Z2RRQAAT
Criterion 4K Blu-ray vs Blu-ray: caps colors are more different and nuanced than anticipated even in the SDR-converted caps and the usual gain in highlight detail is also apparent. Encode looks excellent except for the brightest areas as usual.
From
Arrow 4K Blu-ray is encoded by FiM encode is better than Criterion, see caps https://slow.pics/c/Z2RRQAAT
Criterion 4K Blu-ray Vinegar Syndrome Blu-ray: caps colors are more different and nuanced than anticipated even in the SDR-converted caps and the usual gain in highlight detail is also apparent. Encode looks excellent except for the brightest areas as usual.
To
Arrow 4K Blu-ray is encoded by FiM encode is better than Criterion, see caps https://slow.pics/c/Z2RRQAAT
Criterion 4K Blu-ray vs Blu-ray: caps colors are more different and nuanced than anticipated even in the SDR-converted caps and the usual gain in highlight detail is also apparent. Encode looks excellent except for the brightest areas as usual.
Best Audio Release
From
Arrow/Criterion 4K Blu-ray. Only imperceptible differences in bit-depth: 20 Vinegar Syndrome 24.
To
Arrow/Criterion 4K Blu-ray. Only imperceptible differences in bit-depth: 20 vs 24.
From
Arrow/Criterion 4K Blu-ray. Only imperceptible differences in bit-depth: 20 Vinegar Syndrome 24.
To
Arrow/Criterion 4K Blu-ray. Only imperceptible differences in bit-depth: 20 vs 24.
12/5/2025
Best Audio Release
Added
Arrow/Criterion 4K Blu-ray. Only imperceptible differences in bit-depth: 20 Vinegar Syndrome 24.
Added
Arrow/Criterion 4K Blu-ray. Only imperceptible differences in bit-depth: 20 Vinegar Syndrome 24.
12/4/2025
Additional Info
From
Arrow and Criterion UHDs have differing extras, Arrow has Theatrical cut BD
To
Arrow and Criterion 4K Blu-rays have differing extras, Arrow LE has Theatrical cut Blu-ray from older HD master, most likely from a 2K scan of an interpositive.
From
Arrow and Criterion UHDs have differing extras, Arrow has Theatrical cut BD
To
Arrow and Criterion 4K Blu-rays have differing extras, Arrow LE has Theatrical cut Blu-ray from older HD master, most likely from a 2K scan of an interpositive.
12/4/2025
Additional Info
Added
Arrow and Criterion UHDs have differing extras, Arrow has Theatrical cut BD
Added
Arrow and Criterion UHDs have differing extras, Arrow has Theatrical cut BD
8/23/2025
Best Video Release
From
Criterion UHD (upcoming BFI UHD w/ FiM encode will likely surpass). caps Colors are more different and nuanced than anticipated even in the SDR-converted caps and the usual gain in highlight detail is also apparent. Encode looks excellent except for the brightest areas as usual.
To
Arrow 4K Blu-ray is encoded by FiM encode is better than Criterion, see caps https://slow.pics/c/Z2RRQAAT
Criterion 4K Blu-ray Vinegar Syndrome Blu-ray: caps colors are more different and nuanced than anticipated even in the SDR-converted caps and the usual gain in highlight detail is also apparent. Encode looks excellent except for the brightest areas as usual.
From
Criterion UHD (upcoming BFI UHD w/ FiM encode will likely surpass). caps Colors are more different and nuanced than anticipated even in the SDR-converted caps and the usual gain in highlight detail is also apparent. Encode looks excellent except for the brightest areas as usual.
To
Arrow 4K Blu-ray is encoded by FiM encode is better than Criterion, see caps https://slow.pics/c/Z2RRQAAT
Criterion 4K Blu-ray Vinegar Syndrome Blu-ray: caps colors are more different and nuanced than anticipated even in the SDR-converted caps and the usual gain in highlight detail is also apparent. Encode looks excellent except for the brightest areas as usual.
8/23/2025
Best English-Friendly Release
From
Criterion UHD (upcoming BFI UHD w/ FiM encode will likely surpass)
From
Criterion UHD (upcoming BFI UHD w/ FiM encode will likely surpass)
7/14/2025
Best English-Friendly Release
From
Criterion UHD (BFI UHD upcoming w/ FiM encode will likely surpass)
To
Criterion UHD (upcoming BFI UHD w/ FiM encode will likely surpass)
From
Criterion UHD (BFI UHD upcoming w/ FiM encode will likely surpass)
To
Criterion UHD (upcoming BFI UHD w/ FiM encode will likely surpass)
7/14/2025
Best Video Release
From
Criterion UHD. caps Colors are more different and nuanced than anticipated even in the SDR-converted caps and the usual gain in highlight detail is also apparent. Encode looks excellent except for the brightest areas as usual.
To
Criterion UHD (upcoming BFI UHD w/ FiM encode will likely surpass). caps Colors are more different and nuanced than anticipated even in the SDR-converted caps and the usual gain in highlight detail is also apparent. Encode looks excellent except for the brightest areas as usual.
From
Criterion UHD. caps Colors are more different and nuanced than anticipated even in the SDR-converted caps and the usual gain in highlight detail is also apparent. Encode looks excellent except for the brightest areas as usual.
To
Criterion UHD (upcoming BFI UHD w/ FiM encode will likely surpass). caps Colors are more different and nuanced than anticipated even in the SDR-converted caps and the usual gain in highlight detail is also apparent. Encode looks excellent except for the brightest areas as usual.
7/14/2025
Best English-Friendly Release
From
Criterion UHD
To
Criterion UHD (BFI UHD upcoming w/ FiM encode will likely surpass)
From
Criterion UHD
To
Criterion UHD (BFI UHD upcoming w/ FiM encode will likely surpass)
3/20/2025
Best Video Release
From
Criterion UHD
To
Criterion UHD. caps Colors are more different and nuanced than anticipated even in the SDR-converted caps and the usual gain in highlight detail is also apparent. Encode looks excellent except for the brightest areas as usual.
From
Criterion UHD
To
Criterion UHD. caps Colors are more different and nuanced than anticipated even in the SDR-converted caps and the usual gain in highlight detail is also apparent. Encode looks excellent except for the brightest areas as usual.
3/18/2025
