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Directed by Peter Yates
USA 1973

 

The Hot Rock (1972) is a clever caper film with multiple capers, but all focused on a single, elusive object: the Sahara Stone, long a hot potato between two African countries, now about to be snagged out of its spot at the Brooklyn Museum by a quartet of capable but luckless thieves. The extraordinary cast is led by Robert Redford, George Segal, Ron Leibman, and Paul Sand, supported by the dazzling likes of Moses Gunn and Zero Mostel. Adapted from one of Donald Westlake’s delightful John Dortmunder novels by the singular William Goldman, the film is directed with panache by the great Peter Yates, and features a sensational Quincy Jones score.

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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.

 Excerpt from B+N located HERE

Posters and book cover

Theatrical Release: January 26th, 1972

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Review: Twilight Time - Region FREE - Blu-ray

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Distribution Twilight Time - Region FREE - Blu-ray
Runtime 1:40:51.086   
Video

Disc Size: 30,855,506,350 bytes

Feature Size: 30,587,037,696 bytes

Average Bitrate: 29.99 Mbps

Dual-layered Blu-ray MPEG-4 AVC Video

NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.
Bitrate:

Audio

DTS-HD Master Audio English 2061 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 2061 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)
DTS-HD Master Audio English 1838 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1838 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)
Isolated Score:

DTS-HD Master Audio English 1698 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1698 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)
Commentary:

DTS-HD Master Audio English 2127 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 2127 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)
Subtitles English (SDH), None
Features

Release Information:
Studio: Twilight Time

Aspect Ratio:
Original Aspect Ratio 2.35:1

Disc Size: 30,855,506,350 bytes

Feature Size: 30,587,037,696 bytes

Average Bitrate: 29.99 Mbps

Dual-layered Blu-ray MPEG-4 AVC Video

 

Edition Details:
• Audio Commentary with Film Historians Lem Dobbs, Julie Kirgo, and Nick Redman
• Original Theatrical Trailer (2:57)

 Blu-ray Release Date: August, 2018
Transparent Blu-ray Case
Chapters: 24

 

 

Comments:

NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc.

The Twilight Time 1080P transfer is in the 2.35:1 aspect ratio on another dual-layered Blu-ray with a high bitrate. The HD presentation looks quite strong - a shade of gloss and some teal leaning but very tight and pleasing with bright colors. The Blu-ray visuals are impressive in-motion and the BD image is consistent.

Twilight Time again give the option of a DTS-HD Master 2.0 channel stereo transfer at 24-bit or a similarly encoded mono track. There are plenty of effects in the film from the heist and chases etc.. There is reasonable depth exported. The score is composed by  Quincy Jones (The New Centurians, The Getaway, The Slender Thread, The Pawnbroker, In the Heat of the Night, They Call Me Mr. Tibbs) including 'Hot Rock Theme' and some will recognize When You Believe sung by Táta. There are optional English (SDH) subtitles on the region FREE Blu-ray disc.

Extras offer an audio commentary with Film Historians Lem Dobbs, Julie Kirgo, and Nick Redman with a focus on the William Goldman screenplay, from the Donald E. Westlake novel, and Redford's career plus much more. It is excellent. There is also a trailer and, as usual, Twilight go the extra mile to include the isolated score track option for Quincy Jones' compositions.

The Hot Rock is a very fun caper film. director Peter Yates ("Bullitt") advanced the film and hard to go astray with Goldman's script and Redford as lead. fans of early 70's films will also find many things to appreciate. The a/v presentation has value and this Blu-ray, is recommended.

Gary Tooze

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CLICK to order from:
Distribution Twilight Time - Region FREE - Blu-ray



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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