IMDb > The Hot Rock (1972)
The Hot Rock
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The Hot Rock (1972) More at IMDbPro »


Overview

User Rating:
6.7/10   1,915 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 4% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Peter Yates
Writers:
Donald E. Westlake (novel)
William Goldman (screenplay)
Contact:
View company contact information for The Hot Rock on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
26 January 1972 (USA) more
Genre:
Action | Comedy | Crime 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:
Great Heist Caper 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
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Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
How to Steal a Diamond (UK) (informal title)
How to Steal a Diamond in Four Uneasy Lessons (UK)
more
Runtime:
101 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
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

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:
Factual errors: Abe Greenberg has a conversation with his son using the monitored visitor telephones. As his son's attorney, they would have been entitled to a private conversation. 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.
5 out of 6 people found the following comment useful.
Great Heist Caper, 19 July 2003
7/10
Author: (willrams@earthlink.net) from Santa Maria, CA

A valuable gem is in a museum in N.Y. which is of great value to Dr. Amas. played by Moses Gunn, who approaches Dortmund, played by Robert Redford, because of its significance to his people in Africa which was stolen in colonial times. Dortmund assebles a crack team of cat burglars and has an elaborate plan for stealing back the gem. Circumstances and plain bad luck are both hilarious and stupefying. Under the cool direction of Peter Yates, the cast is perfect including Zero Mostel, George Segal, Ron Leibman, Charlotte Rae. The title threw me off; could have been called something better. 7/10

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Hot Rock (1972)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Funny bit from the book left out loweco99
sand stole liebman's steal onleft22-558-111411
Ron Liebman stole film! Aujouret
Movie locales cryptical70
Steve McQueen Cameo? Alvy Singer
Six years to build? buckaroobanzai50
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