The Hot Rock

Critics Consensus

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Movie Info

Peter Yates directs the early '70s comedy caper The Hot Rock, based on the Donald Westlake novel and adapted for the screen by William Goldman. Robert Redford stars as John Archibald Dortmunder, a former jewel thief just released from prison. His brother-in-law, Andrew Kelp (George Segal), recruits him to steal a diamond from a museum. They are hired by Dr. Amusa (Moses Gunn), an ambassador from Central Fatawi, whose people consider the stone to be sacred. John and Andrew assemble a team with Alan Greenberg (Paul Sand) and Stan Murch (Ron Leibman). They successfully pull off the job until the guards arrest them and Alan swallows the diamond. Alan's father (Zero Mostel) helps him break out of jail, which leads to a series of other heist attempts. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, Rovi

Rating:

PG
Genre:

Action & Adventure, Classics, Comedy, Drama
Directed By:

Peter Yates
Written By:

William Goldman
In Theaters:

Jan 26, 1972 wide
On Disc/Streaming:

May 20, 2003
Runtime:

105 minutes
Studio:

20th Century Fox

Cast

Robert Redford
as Dortmunder

George Segal
as Kelp

Zero Mostel
as Abe Greenberg

Ron Leibman
as Murch

Paul Sand
as Alan Greenberg

Moses Gunn
as Dr. Amusa

William Redfield
as Lt. Hoover

Topo Swope
as Sis

Charlotte Rae
as Ma Murch

Graham Jarvis
as Warden

Harry Bellaver
as Bartender Rollo

Seth Allen
as Happy Hippie

Robert Levine
as Cop at Police Station

Lee Wallace
as Dr. Strauss

Robert Weil
as Albert

Lynne Gordon
as Miasmo

Grania O'Malley
as Bird Lady

Frederic Cook
as Otto

Ed Bernard
as Policeman

Charles White
as Policeman

Mark Dawson
as Big Museum Guard

Christopher Guest
as Policeman

Gilbert Lewis
as Museum Guard

George Bartenieff
as Museum Guard

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Critic Reviews for The Hot Rock

All Critics (9) | Top Critics (1) | DVD (1)

Those seeking something a little more off the beaten path than The Natural or Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid should check out this entertaining caper yarn.

Sep 10, 2018 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…

Matt Brunson
Creative Loafing
OK Redford caper flick directed by Peter Yates.

Mar 23, 2008 | Rating: 3/5

Steve Crum
Video-Reviewmaster.com

View All Critic Reviews (9)

Audience Reviews for The Hot Rock

Aug 07, 2013

Enormously entertaining caper flick where a quartet of thieves don't have just one job, they have to pull off four - a museum, the state prison, a police station, and a bank - and all to get the same diamond! Redford is typical Redford as the cool-as-a-cucumber brains of the group, although he tends to get arrested and needs antacids to offset the nerves he internalizes. George Segal is the optimist and master locksmith, while Ron Leibman and Paul Sand round out the team, and we can't forget Zero Mostel as a crooked lawyer. There's always something amusing going on in William Goldman's script which adds offbeat color to the story, like an old woman who interrupts a gang meeting in the park to feed the birds, or a bum who steals Redford's watch when he's casing a building, or the getaway driver and his mother who listen to speedway recordings of roaring engines for recreation. Plus, there's a breathtaking extended helicopter ride through downtown New York City. If you love caper movies, you've got to see <i>The Hot Rock.</i> <i>"Johnny.....Can't you go straight this time?" "I just don't have it in me."</i>

Doctor S Super Reviewer
Sep 05, 2010

A band of criminals played by some great 70s actors, go out to steal a diamond, with hilarious results. I enjoyed this movie, it's not very different from other movies like that, but it's fun.

Aj V Super Reviewer
May 20, 2007

Afghanistan Banana Stand, See this movie! How was this not a hit? Robert Redford + George Segal + Zero Mostel + William Goldman + Peter Yates = a pretty fun movie.

Ken S Super Reviewer