6.8/10
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The Hot Rock (1972)

GP | | Action, Comedy, Crime | 26 January 1972 (USA)
The Hot Rock Poster
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...

Director:

Writers:

(novel), (screenplay)

Stars:

, , | See full cast & crew »
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Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 1 nomination. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
... Dortmunder
... Kelp
... Murch
... Greenberg
... Dr. Amusa
... Lt. Hoover
... Sis
... Ma Murch
... Warden (as Graham P. Jarvis)
... Rollo the Bartender
Seth Allen ... Happy Hippie
... Cop At Police Station
Lee Wallace ... Dr. Strauss
... Albert
Lynne Gordon ... Miasmo
See full cast »
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Storyline

Dr. Amusa approaches Dortmunder about a valuable gem in a museum that is of great signifigance to his people in Africa, stolen during colonial times. Dortmunder assembles a crack team of cat burglars and hatches an elaborate plan for stealing the gem. Despite their care and experience, circumstances and plain bad luck keep the gem just out of their reach. Written by Murray Chapman <muzzle@cs.uq.oz.au>

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

locksmith | heist | safe deposit box key | prison escape | planning | See All (60) »

Taglines:

They're out to steal the hottest diamond in town with the funniest schemes in history ! See more »

Genres:

Action | Comedy | Crime

Certificate:

GP | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

Add content advisory for parents »
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Details

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

26 January 1972 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

How to Steal a Diamond in Four Uneasy Lessons  »

Filming Locations:

 »

Company Credits

Production Co:

,  »
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Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

(Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Adam Holender was originally scheduled as the film's cinematographer, but creative differences with Peter Yates saw him replaced by camera operator Edward R. Brown just before the start of filming. See more »

Goofs

The police uniforms in the movie were two tone, light powder blue shirt and dark navy blue pants. The powder blue shirt wasn't introduced in New York City police uniforms until 1973, the year after this movie. See more »

Quotes

[Persuading Murch against thinking about double-crossing Amusa]
Kelp: Uh, one little problem is that Amusa knows who me and Dortmunder are. And since this stone is this big symbolic thing, I'm not all that anxious to have an entire African nation after my ass, if you don't mind. Blowguns and poison arrows, no thanks.
Dortmunder: I think they're a little more modern now, Andrew.
Kelp: Is that supposed to make me feel better, tommy guns and airplanes?
See more »

Crazy Credits

The 20th Century Fox logo is erased away via a "snake effect". See more »

Connections

Referenced in Sneakers (1992) See more »

Soundtracks

Listen To The Melody
Music and arrangement: Quincy Jones
Performed by: Tata with The Ian Smith Singers
See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Chicago Area Opening Happened When?
See more »

User Reviews

The Swinging Seventies
8 October 1999 | by – See all my reviews

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.
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