Having a head for movies, I also have a head for movie sound tracks. I've collected sound track albums since the 1960s and I have several favorite composers and can spot their work even before the credits roll.
It's the way they "use" the orchestra that becomes familiar, like seeing a friend’s signature that you know so well. Their music style is in fact, their signature. Last week’s movie *Sorcerer* had a score by the avant-garde group, Tangerine Dream, which leads us to another movie scored in their unique and unmistakable style.
The 1981 Michael Mann production of "Thief" in which Mann did the screen play, as well as the direction! "Thief," shot entirely on location in the dark, rain slicked streets of Chicago.
"Thief" stars James Cann, as Frank, an expert second story man who only goes after big scores. Using all the high tech equipment available, he and his small crew are as slick as they come. Frank learned his "trade" in prison from one of the best teachers, Okla, (a small role played by country singer Willie Nelson). Using the legal system and his ill-gotten gains, Frank tries to buy the elder man's freedom from prison before a fatal illness claims his life.
Things are going well for our anti-hero. He owns a bar and a used car lot that are fronts for his criminal activities, and he's met a woman, Jessie, (Tuesday Weld). Jessie, whose maturity and attractiveness has sparked Frank’s no nonsense romantic interest. She's never been able to have a child, and they want to adopt, but the system is against people of their ilk.
Then enters a mob boss, Leo, (Robert Prosky) whose keen interest in the successes of our hero, prompt him to make an offer that would be unwise to refuse! Frank agrees, but insists that he'll only do a couple of heists for the mob, and then he retires as he's planned all along. At first, working for the mob seems profitable for all concerned. The mob boss even helps the new couple obtain a child with no apparent strings attached. Ah, but then the other shoe drops!
When Frank is ready to retire, he goes to Leo and says thanks and so long. However, Leo says no way: once you're in the "family" you don't get out! He insists that Frank take down several more scores that Leo has lined up for him. Leo makes his point by offing Frank's right-hand man, Barry, (James Belushi) and getting even more heavy handed with Franks home life! Frank is forced into a self-destructive mode and a one-man war against the mob that plays out even more surreal than the story itself! This is taut film noir at it's American best!
The eerie score by Tangerine Dream, heightens the action to match the special 8,000 degree torch that Frank and Barry use to cut through one vault door!
Playboy magazine said: "Violent, surreal beauty . . . stunning authenticity!" L.A. Magazine said: " ... a gripping, drum-tight tale." To which New West Magazine added: " ... the best of [its] breed since The Asphalt Jungle."
This is a violent film, not for those under its R rating age group! The DVD has a full-length commentary by Michael Mann and James Cann, deleted scenes, original trailer and Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack to make T.D.'s score all the more enjoyable! If you like heist flicks with plenty of suspense and action, this is your meat!
While I have your eyes, and we're talking about movie soundtracks, I must highly recommend a CD by the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Directed by Esa-Pekka Salonen, entitled "The Film Scores of Bernard Herrmann" (Sony SK 62700). It contains highly faithful versions of one of my all time favorite composer's film scores! The CD includes suites from most of the great Alfred Hitchcock films that Herrmann scored, and his last score before his death for the noir classic, "Taxi Driver." It also contains music from The Man Who Knew Too Much, Psycho, Marnie, North by Northwest, Vertigo, Torn Curtain and my very favorite, Fahrenheit 451. All newly recorded in Dolby Surround Sound! If you like any of the music from these films, this is a must own CD!