Review of "The Hot Rock" by

Stand back because this is one of my all-time favorites, so I'm liable to gush just a bit. Based on the Donald Westlake novel, The Hot Rock is the story of a professional thief named Dortmunder (Redfrod) whose specialty is plotting capers. That's just what he does. On the day he gets out of prison, his loser of a brother in-law Kelp (George Segal) picks him up and ropes him into a doozy of a heist. They're out to steal a legendary diamond that's the object of dispute between two African nations. The UN ambassador of one side has hired Kelp to steal the stone from a museum in New York. Kelp naturally turns to Dortmunder to plan the job.

Dortmunder assembles a crew of low-lifes who each bring some special skill. Notable among them is Ron Leibman's character who plays a car nut who claims to be able to drive anything and ends up having to prove it when the crew suddenly finds they need a helicopter pilot. Its a "gang who couldn't shoot straight" sort of story where the gang takes one step forward and two steps back all along the way. Throw in the masterful Zero Mostel, and you have a film for the ages. Don't miss this fun-filled movie. And better yet, read all of the Dortmunder novels by Donald Westake. Trust me, you won't ever be disappointed!

Don't get the pan-and-scan VHS if you have a choice. They butchered this fun movie in pan and scan. The widescreen DVD gives you a much better movie experience.