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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers:
Donald E. Westlake (novel)
William Goldman (screenplay)
Release Date:
26 January 1972 (USA) more
Tagline:
How many times does it take to steal the same diamond? more
Plot:
Dortmunder and his pals plan to steal a huge diamond from a museum. But this turns out to be only the first time they have to steal it... full summary | add synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for Oscar. Another 1 nomination more
NewsDesk:
(3 articles)
Writer Donald E. Westlake dies, aged 75
(From digitalspy. 2 January 2009, 3:40 PM, PST)
Mystery Writer Westlake Dies
(From WENN. 2 January 2009, 4:08 AM, PST)
User Comments:
The Swinging Seventies more (51 total)
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| Robert Redford | ... | Dortmunder | |
| George Segal | ... | Kelp | |
| Ron Leibman | ... | Murch | |
| Paul Sand | ... | Greenberg | |
| Moses Gunn | ... | Dr. Amusa | |
| William Redfield | ... | Lt. Hoover | |
| Topo Swope | ... | Sis | |
| Charlotte Rae | ... | Ma Murch | |
| Graham Jarvis | ... | Warden (as Graham P. Jarvis) | |
| Harry Bellaver | ... | Rollo the Bartender | |
| Seth Allen | ... | Happy Hippie | |
| Robert Levine | ... | Cop at Police Station | |
| Lee Wallace | ... | Dr. Strauss | |
| Robert Weil | ... | Albert | |
| Lynne Gordon | ... | Miasmo |
Additional Details
Also Known As:
How to Steal a Diamond (UK) (informal title)
How to Steal a Diamond in Four Uneasy Lessons (UK)
more
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
101 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (Westrex Recording System)
Certification:
Iceland:16 | UK:U | Canada:PG (video rating) | Finland:K-16 | Norway:15 | Norway:16 (1972) | Sweden:15 | USA:GP (original rating) | USA:PG | Singapore:PG
Filming Locations:
Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA more
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
The weapon they are carrying during the helicopter ride to and the assault on the Police Precinct is the Swedish 9mm SMG m/45. Developed during WWII. Still in use within the Swedish Armed Forces (nowdays in a very small number). Once used by American Special Forces because of its simplicity and reliability. Also manufactured in Egypt on license. more
Goofs:
Miscellaneous: The Swedish 9mm SMG used is by no means realistic. They are both mounted with the special barrel and security equipment used for firing blanks for this actual type of SMG - plastic bullets that disintegrates when fired - only used in combat training. more
Quotes:
Abe Greenberg: You'll never be able to copy this amiable countenance. I've been tipping in that bank for years. Everybody knows Abe Greenberg. more
Soundtrack:
When You Believe more
FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (51 total)
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There is always a risk with these 'period' pieces that it will become dated very easily with changing tastes & expectations. Fortunately, caper movies are still getting made ('Entrapment'), Redford is still a sex-symbol, & crime still pays. So 'Hot Rock' is as eminently watchable today as it was way back then, provided of course you don't start wondering too much about the plot. Ride Quincy Jones' music (Gerry Mulligan plays the sax) & Redford's easy charm & you are safe home.
The performances all round are very muted, except the wonderful Zero Mostel's over-the-top crooked lawyer. At times you feel everybody is just too reluctant to get on with it, but I guess that is the kind of 'cool seventies' effect that director Yates was trying to get (& I feel, succeeded). Anyway Yates was riding high at this time with some great movies like Bullitt & Murphy's War & his confidence shows.