Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.5
Overall		4.0

Thieves Like Us 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf December 23, 2024

One of the strangest things to ever happen to Robert Altman was box office success. It happened once, as 1970’s “M*A*S*H” managed to break out and find an appreciative audience exposed to the director’s impish, subversive ways and his specialized manner of making movies. The release was enormous, suddenly putting Altman in the spotlight, which didn’t suit his artistic interests, spending the rest of the decade burning off such financial potential on a series of challenging endeavors that perfectly fit his cinematic worldview. 1974’s “Thieves Like Us” was sold to audiences as something of a gangster picture, following the survival of three prison escapees using bank robberies to fund their lifestyles. But this is Altman, and the cheap thrills of criminal activity have no place in the effort, as it’s more of a character study focusing on people stuck in neutral for various reasons. “Thieves Like Us” remains in line with other Altman offerings, but it's hard to grasp the purpose of its glacial pace, which strains dramatic engagement as cinematic indulgence tends to dominate the viewing experience.

Bowie (Keith Carradine), Chicamaw (John Schuck), and T-Dub (Bert Remsen) are on the run, newly escaped from a Mississippi prison, hoping to restart their lives. The men attempt to remain out of sight, making their way to Mattie (Louise Fletcher), T-Dub’s sister-in-law, for shelter, trying to keep ahead of news reports announcing their presence in the area. Times are tight in 1936, and the trio needs money, inspiring a fresh round of bank robberies around the state, allowing Chicamaw a chance to feed his anger issues, and T-Dub reconnects to greed. Bowie is more interested in a peaceful future, catching Keechie’s (Shelley Duvall) eye, hoping to fall in love before the violence of his life returns with refreshed police interest in his whereabouts.

Altman apparently wants viewers to remain in a position of stasis with the characters in “Thieves Like Us.” Bowie, Chicamaw, and T-Dub manage to escape custody, only to find themselves on the run, looking for safe places to hide out as word of their prison departure spreads. The screenplay (by Altman, Joan Tewkesbury, and Calder Willingham) is an adaptation of a novel by Edward Anderson, but doesn’t retain a literary atmosphere. Instead, it’s all Altman in the feature, as he takes time to study behaviors and mundane interactions, going for a loose atmosphere of relationships in play. It’s not exactly riveting cinema, but there’s value in some degree of patience, as the material gets to understand three different personalities stuck together during a time of crisis, watching these itchy men deal with one another as grander criminal plans take shape.

The bank robbery elements of “Thieves Like Us” aren’t prioritized by Altman, who downplays criminal activity for the most part. More interesting to the helmer is Bowie’s journey as a seemingly benevolent man in possession of a stained past. He’s eventually drawn to Keechie, embarking on a sexual relationship with the woman, complicating his transitory situation. It’s a reasonably compelling subplot for the endeavor, which is mostly fascinated by levels of boredom as the crooks wait for opportunities. Supporting characters arrive, exposing T-Dub’s perversity and Chicamaw’s impatience, but “Thieves Like Us” doesn’t build as a goes. Altman remains distant and conversational, keeping up with career interests, but the dead air of the effort isn’t riveting.

Thieves Like Us 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Screencaps are taken from the Blu-ray.

Previously issued on Blu-ray in 2014, "Thieves Like Us" is now available on this UHD release, listed as a "new 4K restoration from the 35mm OCN, presented in HDR." The film offers softer cinematography to capture its period mood, pushing detail as far as possible. A sense of skin particulars is always available, examining the unglamorous appearance of the characters. Clothing maintains its period appearance, with decent fibrousness. Locations retain dimension, offering a look at the vastness of the land. Interiors preserve dimension and decoration. Color sustains its drained hues, securing muddy browns, and greenery is distinct. Skin tones are decent, with Bert Remsen (playing T-Dub) looking a bit too reddish at times. Blacks are deep, securing evening activity. Highlights are tasteful. Grain is fine and film-like. Source is in good shape.

Thieves Like Us 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix offers a simple understanding of dialogue exchanges, with voices remaining clear and performance choices appreciable. Radio tunes retain their broadcast sound, often faintly supporting scenes. Sound effects are clearly understood.

Thieves Like Us 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Booklet (40 pages) collects essays by Mitchell Beaupre, Marya E. Gates, and Calos Valladares.

• Commentary #1 features director Robert Altman.

• Commentary #2 features film historian Nathaniel Thompson.

• "Vacuum Cleaner" (15:18, HD) is an interview with screenwriter Joan Tewkesbury, who had a friend in actor Michael Murphy, joining him for a 1970 screening of "M*A*S*H," immediately recognizing a shared sensibility with director Robert Altman. Contacting the helmer, Tewkesbury was offered a script supervisor job on "McCabe & Mrs. Miller," earing his trust, and this collaboration moved on to "Thieves Like Us." Time around Altman is explored, highlighting his creative approach and fondness for personalities. The production experience on "Thieves Like Us" is detailed, hitting some hostility in Mississippi, and Tewkesbury took on a few additional jobs during the shoot. Casting is celebrated and screenwriting challenges are identified.

• Interview (34:40, HD) with actor Keith Carradine charts the development of his interest in the acting business, building his chops in high school, living in the shadow of his father, John Carradine. Seeking escape in the world of forestry, Carradine changed his mind, eventually making his way to Los Angeles, trying his luck with help from his brother, David Carradine. Acquiring a role in the musical "Hair," the aspiring thespian pushed onward, eventually connecting to Robert Altman on "McCabe & Mrs. Miller." Thoughts on Altman's approach to auditions are shared, learning to understand his special way of working. For "Thieves Like Us," Carradine had to hang on while financial issues were encountered, and he discusses his method and approach to characterization, crediting his success to the screenplay by Joan Tewkesbury. Mississippi locations are identified, finding many places requiring little change to bring them back to the 1930s. Co-stars are recalled, sharing lots of love for Shelley Duvall and respect for supporting players. The interviewee also highlights his musical moods during the shoot, triggering interest from Altman and Tewkesbury, who were already planning their moves on "Nashville." Carradine closes with his thoughts on the marketing plan for the feature and the final cut.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (2:01, SD) is included.

Thieves Like Us 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

There are many positives in "Thieves Like Us," which offers an evocative understanding of its time and place, selling the Depression-era journey with care, especially character appearances and locations. Performances are also capable, getting into the quirks and concerns of the escapees and their low impulse control, and Remsen nearly steals the movie as T-Dub. There's some movement as lives change and the gang tries to work independently, resulting in additional complications, but, again, Altman takes his time with everything, diluting whatever dramatic power was initially intended. "Thieves Like Us" has its passionate supporters, and more power to them. The feature certainly fits in with Altman's career odyssey during the 1970s, resisting bankability as much as possible, but there's a certain spark missing from the picture as it slowly goes about its business.