MovieChat Forums > Thief (1981) Discussion > Fans of the soundtrack/score...

Fans of the soundtrack/score...

posted 12 years ago by hecantune
15 replies | jump to latest

Thief is easily one of my top ten all-time favorite soundtracks. I know it's not for everyone but I am a sucker for this type of synth heavy music. Just wondering if others enjoy it as much as I do and what are your favorite tracks? For me it's "Diamond Diary" (opening theme), which immediatley grabbed hold of me the first time I saw this movie. Combine the music, the visuals and the gritty setting and what you get is one of the coolest openings ever. "Burning Bar" comes in second, followed by "Frank is Set Up". The first half of Frank Is Set Up is awesome but I've never liked the second half of the song. If it wasn't for the abrupt change tone it might've been my top favorite.

Diamond Diary
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FqEujUKoi9Q

Burning Bar
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CV5VTJNaKc4

Opening scene
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEvomyYkIPY

Back off! ... Way off!

[–] MyDarkStar 12 years ago

I won't call myself a Tangerine Dream "fan", but I do listen to them at times, and I thought the music included in the film was quality.

With that said, I didn't really care too much for the soundtrack. The music itself was cool, but it just felt out of place with the general pace of the movie. It felt like it would have meshed much better with a true action movie, and although this movie does have some fast-paced scenes it is not what I would call an "action" movie.

I think another reason I didn't care for it was because it was featured so prominently in the scenes. It was loud ! It kinda overwhelmed the scenes in my opinion. To me, that made me think more of the soundtrack than what was actually happening on screen.

that's my take on it anyway

[–] MyDarkStar 12 years ago

yes, I've got more ... :-)

One example of it being wrong for the general pace of the movie was during the big safe-cracking scene. The soundtrack was way too fast for that scene in my opinion. It made it feel as though it was supposed to be some kind of action scene. But it wasn't an "action" scene per se. It was a scene in which the complexity of the job was really shown, and backing it with a very fast-paced soundtrack kinda took away from that.

ok, that's it - I'm out

[–] hecantune 12 years ago

Interesting points, MyDarkStar. The things you mention weren't an issue for me but I get what you're saying. The music is VERY prominent and if you aren't really into it it might seem tedious.

Back off! ... Way off!

[–] chpah 12 years ago

Just stumbled onto this film recently on local TV and recognised music immediately as Tangerine Dream, who I've liked for 40+ years. Ended up watching entire film, with much enjoyment, music as loud as possible, quite a treat, excellent film, thanks.

[–] sgcim 12 years ago

I thought it made the film cheesey. With a real film score it could've been a much better film.

[–] arisdisc 12 years ago

Let me guess...you're under the age of 25. Only someone that young would make such a ridiculous statement.
The score of this film is what makes the film so powerful.
Throw on your Lady Gaga cd and let the rest of us enjoy the 'good' stuff.

[–] MisterHex 12 years ago

Amen to that!

Michael Mann is the reason synth artists like Tangerine Dream and Jan Hammer were able to rejuvenate their careers and reach out to a more mainstream audience.

[–] ccr1633 11 years ago

MisterHex wrote:

Michael Mann is the reason synth artists like Tangerine Dream and Jan Hammer were able to rejuvenate their careers and reach out to a more mainstream audience.

Maybe for Jan Hammer, but William Friedkin certainly beat Mann to the punch with his use of Tangerine Dream for Sorcerer (1977).

[–] balthazar_bee 10 years ago

Something similar happened between the two vis a vis Miami Vice and To Live and Die in L.A.

[–] MrXAnderson 10 years ago

if you guys get a chance, I recommend Buying Grand Theft Auto 5. Great video game and Tangerine Dream was involved in the score, which has a modern sound to their craft.

My notables ones so far..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwMjazrwPak

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otU3AlkTVfs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCThRN-SIVE

[–] 12 years ago

[deleted]

[–] ralanmace 12 years ago

I've been a big fan of the "Thief" soundtrack since the first time I saw the movie in '82 or '83. Actually purchased the soundtrack to this one on cassette tape and listened to it many dozens of times over the years. Tangerine Dream composed and performed this soundtrack and have done many others that are also very pleasant to listen to. My favorite track from "Thief" has to be The Beach Theme.

~~I carry a gun because a cop is too heavy.

[–] srklondie 11 years ago

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[–] kairingler 10 years ago

my ex roomate turned me on to the music of Thief, he was into Tangerine Dream at the time,, and I wasn't expecting much,, but I really like it very much,, and everytime I watch the movie,, I try to pick out something different from the soundtrack to enjoy more than the first time.

are you going to bark all day little doggie,, or are you going to bite

[–] beersandshots 10 years ago

'Thief' has a great soundtrack, and I love TD's body of work both on the screen amd off. Yes, Mann directed this, so I get why people bring up "Jan-ny come lately" Hammer. What really makes me kind of sad is: where the he11 is the love for the master, the one who nailed it? Where's the love for Vangelis?

"In a time of universal deceit,
telling the truth is a revolutionary act."
George Orwell