THE HOT ROCK (OR: HOW TO STEAL A DIAMOND IN FOUR UNEASY LESSONS.)
US, 1972, 101 minutes, Colour.
Robert Redford, George Segal, Zero Mostel, Ron Leibman, Paul Sand.
Directed by Peter Yates.

The Hot Rock is an unusual film - one that can be generally recommended without the least reservation. Yes, it is another robbery story, although it takes four attempts to get the jewel (the "hot" rock), what one character calls "the habitual crime". And then screenplay is by William Goldman (of Butch Cassidy fame) and contains similar deadpan wit which is always enjoyable. And director is Peter Yates who gave us cars in Bullitt and a plane in Murphy's War. Here he keeps the pace moving, throwing in a helicopter ride through New York skyscrapers to show his touch. And Robert Redford and George Segal bring the caper to ultimate success.

1. The emphasis of the title? The alternative English title was: How to Steal a Diamond in Four Uneasy Lessons. Which is more appropriate?

2. The film as an example of the robbery-comedy genre? The explanation for its popularity? Use of conventions, satirising them, for successful entertainment?

3. The importance of the New York background, its visual presentation, colour and Panavision? The helicopter ride? The musical background?

4. The quality of the deadpan and witty dialogue? The irony? The success of the characterisations and the satire on the screen images of the stars?

5. The importance of suspending judgement on morality and immorality for the success of the film? The standards for heroes and the standards for villains? Where were audience sympathies directed? How?

6. The film's focus on John Dortmunder? Robert Redford's personality and style? The sequences of his leaving prison, pursued in the car by Kelp? What type of criminal was he? His involvement in jobs? The challenge and the creative plan for jobs? Outward cool but interior ulcers? His relationship with Kelp and his sister? His leadership of the other criminals? His shrewdness in gaining ultimate success? A hero-villain?

7. The contrast with the character of Kelp? His dreams, daffiness, relating to John? The praise of his hands in the robbery of the jewel? His getting caught in traps? The ideas man?

8. Murch and his car and road mania? His contribution to the robbery? His impersonation of the patient? The helicopter ride etc.? A crazy comic?

9. The contribution of Alan Greenberg? Explosives, his role in the robberies, swallowing the diamond, trusting his father, in prison, the escape, tricking his father?

10. The satire in Abe Greenberg? His legal mind, his double-dealing, robbing the diamond, succumbing to the pressure of the lift shaft, double-dealing with the African statesman? Inevitable that he be tricked? The villain of the film?

11. The character of Dr. Amusa? His explanation of African politics, United Nations, traditions, the reason for the robbery? Their consulting him for more material? His comment on habitual crime? His deal with Greenberg?

12. The success of the comedy and action sequences: the robbery and the glass case, the pretending of the accident, the hospital escape, the helicopter attack on the police station and the reaction of the police, the credit card and the examination of the box in the bank?

13. Why is this kind of film enjoyable? Its exploration of values and turning them topsy-turvy?