Plot: What’s it about?
It’s always fun to notice a fun romp in the genre known as the heist genre. The audience wants the thieves to succeed and get what their after despite all the roadblocks and complications that may get in their way. One such fun romp came from 1972 and is truly a hidden gem
For those of you not familiar with this film, here goes. John Dortmunder (Robert Redford) has recently been released from prison assured not to go back into his life of crime. That is, until his brother-in-law Kelp (George Segal) tempts him into another job, this one involving an African diplomat (Moses Gunn) and a precious gem known as the Sahara Stone. The money is tempting and Dortmunder is reluctant at first but then after careful deliberation the job, according to Dortmunder, “is what I do”.
Two other associates Greenberg (Paul Sand) and Murch (Ron Leibman) join in on the job, but getting the stone isn’t as easy as they think or as difficult as they make it even when a mysterious lawyer (Zero Mostel) comes into the mix with his own motives for the gem.
I was introduced to this film on AMC a few years ago in it’s original widescreen form and I’ve loved it ever since and thank god for DVD because any pan and scan version of this movie on any other cable channel comes out directly from the hard to find original video and it’s quality is less desirable to say the least. This was a 3 film follow-up from director Peter Yates after Bullitt and with a penchant for fast cars and explosions, he turns in a more lighter fare and an enjoyable romp that’s short and sweet despite the 70’s decor and casual mood which adds its own bit of coolness with one of the only movie with clearance to low fly a helicopter along NYC waters (and a then in-progress World Trade Center) with a thefty jazz score by the immortal Quincy Jones and a surprising editing Oscar nomination.
With all that together, as well as a early cameo by Christopher Guest as a messenger cop during an “invasion”, it makes for a worthy entry in the fun heist genre.
Video: How does it look?
The sound has 4 channels. At first when seeking them I thought a hidden commentary would make it’s way on channel #4. It wasn’t until going onto the language category of the menu that it’s for surround mono 2.0 and all sound channels sound satisfactory. It still has a bit of the muteness in seventies sound that’s not quite earth shattering but the channels are well in place when it comes to the explosions in the film as well as the flight of the helicopter. The dialogue comes out crisp and clear with no pops and made for a nice track. This film also has English Stereo Mono, French Mono and Spanish Mono tracks along with English and Spanish subtitles.
Audio: How does it sound?
As for the extras there isn’t much but most times for many movies on DVD I only ask for a trailer and this one is no exception. Along with a wonderful trailer for the feature, which includes a snippet not in the film, this DVD includes trailers for “Brubaker” and “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid”.
Supplements: What are the extras?
Overall, The Hot Rock is a fun little trip from the 70’s that is worth the 10 dollars I paid and more. Definitely a keeper and comes recommended and worthy of addition to any DVD collection.
