A pulp novelist's side hustle as a seductive jewel thief leaves London’s women—and police—enthralled.
THE SEX THIEF
He stole their jewels. All they reported was the robbery.
A struggling pulp fiction writer who doubles as an incompetent jewel thief. He gets caught in the act every time, but he uses his looks and charm to make the best of it. Soon he becomes a celebrity. Wealthy women start leaving their jewels out like milk and cookies for Santa Claus in hopes that the sex thief will unlawfully invade their domiciles.
Quick Answer
The Sex Thief is a 1973 British comedy crime film directed by Martin Campbell about a pulp fiction writer who moonlights as a masked jewel thief, seducing his female victims and eluding police with his charms.
Programmer's Pick
Only in 1970s London could a jewel thief’s greatest weapon be his bedroom prowess, not his criminal finesse. Martin Campbell delivers a caper where the real cat-and-mouse is played between Grant Henry and his all-too-willing targets. Raunchy, cheeky, and never shy about its nudity, this is British sex comedy in full, unbuttoned swing.
— SassyFlix Programmer
Overview
Details & Specs
- Director
- Martin Campbell
- Writers
- Tudor Gates, Michael Armstrong
- Release
- 1973
- Runtime
- 1h 29m
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Language
- English
- Also Known As
- Flickans dyrbaraste skatt, Seksivaras, Sextjuven, Tytön kallein tavara, O sexy diarriktis, Ladro di sesso, Ограбление с сексом, Her Family Jewels, Handful of Diamonds, Hand Full of Diamonds, El ladrón del sexo
Why This Matters
This British sex comedy marks an early directorial effort by Martin Campbell, who later became known for major mainstream films. The screenplay was a collaboration between Tudor Gates and Michael Armstrong, credited together as Edward Hyde.
Cast & Crew
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Why Cult
Watch as Grant Henry uses his charm—and more—to pilfer jewels, with seduction as his preferred getaway plan.
The film leans into its era’s permissiveness, featuring ample nudity and risqué humor that defines the British sex comedy wave.
A kung fu-trained insurance agent and a hapless inspector make for a farcical pursuit of the elusive sex thief.
See the early directorial style of Martin Campbell before he made his mark on action cinema.
Scene Gallery
Threat File
Grant Henry's jewel thefts
Masked jewel thief using seduction
Victims protect thief and encourage more thefts
London's wealthy homes
Questions from the Vault
When was The Sex Thief released? +
The Sex Thief was released in 1973.
Who directed The Sex Thief? +
The Sex Thief was directed by Martin Campbell.
How long is The Sex Thief? +
The Sex Thief has a runtime of 89 minutes.
What genre is The Sex Thief? +
The Sex Thief is a comedy and crime film.
Where can I watch The Sex Thief? +
You can watch The Sex Thief on SassyFlix.
