The Hot Rock (1972)

Director:

Peter Yates

Writers:

Donald E. Westlake (novel)
William Goldman (screenplay)

Release Date:

26 January 1972 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Comedy | Crime

Tagline:

How many times does it take to steal the same diamond?

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...

Plot Keywords:

Heist | Locksmith | Recruiting | Police Station | Prison Escape

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 1 nomination

Cast

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

Also Known As:

How to Steal a Diamond (UK) (informal title)
How to Steal a Diamond in Four Uneasy Lessons (UK)

Runtime:

101 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

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

Company:

Landers-Roberts Productions

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.

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.

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.

Soundtrack:

When You Believe

The Swinging Seventies

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.