Thief Film Cue Music by Tangerine Dream

This is a mix of a (nearly) complete Tangerine Dream score for the 1981 Michael Mann film Thief, which was very different from the music released on the official soundtrack album in 1981. That album was missing many music cues heard in the film, and included music not heard in the film. This soundtrack includes nearly every music cue heard in the film, including the film version of the ending music composed by Craig Safan, Confrontation (unknown guitarist).

1. Diamond Diary (film cue mix with rain effects) 00:00
- remix of previously released and unreleased music
2. Gags and Fairy Tales (film cue mix) 11:20
- previously unreleased
3. Life Vision (film cue mix) 12:55
- previously unreleased
4. Habeas Corpus (film cue mix - variant of Scrap Yard) 16:44
- previously unreleased
5. The Fifth Alarm (film cue mix - variant of Diamond Diary) 18:52
- previously unreleased
6. The Break In (film cue_remix of Thru Metamorphic Rocks)* 23:54
7. Beach Scene (extended film cue mix) 32:00
- remix of previously released and unreleased music
8. Dr. Destructo 1 (film cue mix) 39:11
- previously unreleased
9. Car Lot Ambush (film cue_remix of Thru Metamorphic Rocks)* 41:25
- remix of previously released music
10. Back to Work Frank (film cue mix_variation on Kiew Mission intro from Exit) 44:32
- previously unreleased
11. Dr. Destructo 2 (extended remix of soundtrack album and film cue versions) 46:51
- remix of previously released and unreleased music
12. Confrontation (film cue mix - Craig Safan composition/unknown guitarist)† 51:43
- previously unreleased

This music was mixed together from the surround sound stems extracted from the Criterion Blu Ray 5.1 channels, with a few sections of music mixed in from official soundtrack. It also includes the music heard in the film that was remixed from the 1979 Tangerine Dream album Force Majeure. The versions of those tracks here are the film versions, not the 1979 album versions. Some of the film score cues are not exactly as they appear in the film because I had to take some artistic license in mixing them in order to remove sound effects and dialogue, while attempting to keep the musicality intact.

* The original version of this track appears on the 1979 album Force Majeure
† Tangerine Dream does not play on this track, but the sound was influenced by TD and the Pink Floyd song Comfortably Numb.

Edgar Froese – guitar, keyboards, electronic equipment
Christopher Franke – synthesizers, electronic equipment, electronic percussion
Johannes Schmoelling – keyboards, electronic equipment
Klaus Krieger – percussion on "Thru Metamorphic Rocks" (recorded 1978)
Craig Safan – composed "Confrontation". He is not the person playing the guitar. He said that it was performed by session musicians, but I have never found out who the guitarist was.

Mixed in 2015 by KR
Dedicated to the late great James Caan. RIP

Here is what TD member Johannes Schmoeling had to say about why their original ending music was not used for Confrontation. "“As an example for the shootout scene, he brought us a piece from Pink Floyd’s The Wall. I think The Wall had just come out. It was this gorgeous, incredible track called ‘Comfortably Numb,’ with an insane guitar solo by David Gilmour. For him that was the music for the ending, the shootout. We knew, of course, that the atmospheric parts wouldn’t be too hard for us, or the emotional sequences either. But for the ending, we knew it would be all but impossible to match the incredible sense of drama Gilmour puts into his solo, and, of course, the composition by Pink Floyd. We certainly could have created music for the ending, and of course we did. But I think Michael Mann wasn’t happy with it and ended up looking elsewhere."

[kitraestudio]

1. Diamond Diary (film cue mix with rain effects) 00:00
2. Gags and Fairy Tales (film cue mix) 11:20
3. Life Vision (film cue mix) 12:55
4. Habeas Corpus (film cue mix - variant of Scrap Yard) 16:44
5. The Fifth Alarm (film cue mix - variant of Diamond Diary) 18:52
6. The Break In (film cue_remix of Thru Metamorphic Rocks)* 23:54
7. Beach Scene (extended film cue mix) 32:00
8. Dr. Destructo 1 (film cue mix) 39:11
9. Car Lot Ambush (film cue_remix of Thru Metamorphic Rocks)* 41:25
10. Back to Work Frank (film cue mix_variation on Kiew Mission intro from Exit) 44:32
11. Dr. Destructo 2 (extended remix of soundtrack album and film cue versions) 46:51
12. Confrontation (film cue mix - Craig Safan composition. Guitarist unknown)† 51:43

Here is what TD member Johannes Schmoeling had to say about why their original ending music was not used for Confrontation. "“As an example for the shootout scene, he (Mann) brought us a piece from Pink Floyd’s The Wall. I think The Wall had just come out. It was this gorgeous, incredible track called ‘Comfortably Numb, ’ with an insane guitar solo by David Gilmour. For him that was the music for the ending, the shootout. We knew, of course, that the atmospheric parts wouldn’t be too hard for us, or the emotional sequences either. But for the ending, we knew it would be all but impossible to match the incredible sense of drama Gilmour puts into his solo, and, of course, the composition by Pink Floyd. We certainly could have created music for the ending, and of course we did. But I think Michael Mann wasn’t happy with it and ended up looking elsewhere."

[FrankBoers-sz]

Tangerine Dream 's best film music score 👍👍👍

[Warp]

One of the best pairings of film & sound known to man.

[TheScaryTruthCatalyst]

Michael Mann originally wanted a jazz soundtrack for this movie, until he was convinced to use Tangerine Dream. I think he made the right choice...

[MikeSmith-lsfn]

Michael Mann is a genius when it comes to scoring his films. Thief, Manhunter, and the Miami Vice movie all have great scores. My favorite is Manhunter.

[worawatli]

I came here after listening to GTA V soundtracks, and for a few minutes, I forgot that it's from 1981 film, not GTA. They were so ahead of time, their music really is timeless.

[AaronAnaya]

The Diamond Diary sequence is the exact vision of the 80s that things like Vapourwave and Synthwave are nostalgic for.

[jamesallen]

James Caan oozed charisma and was the perfect actor for this film.

[SSMONTECARLO]

As far as I'm concerned, Tangerine Dream should've won the Oscar for this MASTERPIECE!!!

[nakumastone]

Can you believe this is Michael Mann's first full length film and he nailed it?!?!

[OctoberTFB]

The movie melted my brain with its phenomenal nature. This soundtrack was a big reason why.

[joecole]

When l was 10 years old l I snuck into the theater to see the movie sorcerer love the Movie but that's where I found out about Tangerine dream's music and Became a Big fun of there music l remember buying the Sorcerer sound track at my local Kmart Store and they only had on 8 track l was only 10 and it was with in walking distance from that point l would ask for music and not toys for Christmas and birthdays and would ask for Rock Music and Disco yes Disco Music but from Europe and Tangerine Dream l love There Music one Day l was at the Movie theater and they show the preview of the Movie Thife and at the of it said Music by Tangerine Dream and l was there on the opeing day Loved the Movie most of all the thief soundtrack I was 15 years old then I'm now 56 years old and still own still own the original soundtrack or Record and Cd my favorite Soundtrack still soceror but for me this is Thief still their best work . Great movie By Michael Mann and awesome Soundtrack by Tangerine Dream.!!!! It's good to be old !!!

[strawdawgs]

The perfect soundtrack to listen to as you plan your next heist.

[Anxiety]

My dad introduced me to this group when I was 7
I thought wow
I'm 47 now, and Dad is long gone, but I continue listening!
Thanks, Edgard and all tangerine dreamer, for all these incredible melodies

[nadoanacleto]

James Caan...the best role.
Best Actor!!
Tangerine Dream...best music forever in all movies

[davehoward]

One of my favorite movies of all time, with incredible music and IMO the best director on the planet, Michael Mann. Simply awesome.

[kraggman]

Great movie. Great soundtrack. Thank you !!

[MK_]

Under appreciated masterpiece film and score.

[TheSmegPod]

whoever played the guitar on that final track really nailed the David Gilmour sound

[jazykjedovaty]

This soundtrack, along with Sorcerer are my favorite soundtracks. These interpretations of Edgar Froese are incredible. You can close your eyes, and still watch the movies!