On this day, February 17, 1984, Lassiter premiered in theaters. Starring Tom Selleck in the title role, alongside Jane Seymour, Lauren Hutton, and Ed Lauter, the film was a stylish blend of action, crime, and espionage set against the backdrop of World War II era London.
Selleck played Nick Lassiter, a suave American jewel thief who is coerced by British intelligence into pulling off a high stakes heist against the Nazis. Balancing his skills as a master thief with the dangerous world of espionage, Lassiter navigates a thrilling mix of intrigue, deception, and romance.
With a budget of $20 million, the film delivered an old school adventure feel, but despite its star power, it underperformed at the box office, earning $17.5 million. While it didn’t become a major hit, Lassiter remains an entertaining watch for fans of heist films and Tom Selleck’s signature charm.
80s insight: Lassiter was released during the height of Tom Selleck’s popularity as Magnum, P.I. was dominating television, making it one of his early attempts to transition into a leading man on the big screen.