The Hot Rock

  • 1972
  • PG
  • 101m
movieMx RATING
6.5/10120
VERDICT
HIT
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Performance & Direction: The Hot Rock Review

Last updated: January 28, 2026

movieMx Editorial Team
REVIEWED BY

movieMx Editorial Team

🔍 Cinematic Analysis Expert

Leading cinematic analysis expert with over 10 years of experience in Bollywood and Hollywood box office tracking. Reviewed 500+ films with a focus on narrative structure and commercial profitability.

📅 Updated: January 28, 2026 🎟️ Verified Viewing

🎬 Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?

Is The Hot Rock (1972) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 6.5/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Crime.

🎭 Cast Performances: A Masterclass

The success of any Crime is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Hot Rock features a noteworthy lineup led by Robert Redford . Supported by the likes of George Segal and Ron Leibman , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.

Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.

💡 Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?

In summary, our editorial assessment of The Hot Rock (1972) is generally positive. With an audience rating of 6.5/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Result: HIT
Based on verified audience sentiment and box office trajectory, The Hot Rock stands as a HIT.

Story & Plot Summary: The Hot Rock

Quick Plot Summary: The Hot Rock is a Crime, Comedy film that dives into the criminal underworld with a grounded sense of realism and complex morality. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.

Ending Explained: The Hot Rock

Ending Breakdown: The Hot Rock concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to crime resolution.

The conclusion addresses the core thematic questions, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.

Ending Analysis:

  • Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
  • Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
  • Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the crime themes established throughout the runtime.

The final moments of The Hot Rock reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.

The Hot Rock Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?

The Hot Rock incorporates elements from real criminal cases. As a crime, comedy film, it navigates the space between factual accuracy and narrative engagement.

Historical Context

The film takes creative liberties to enhance dramatic impact. Core events maintain connection to source material while adapting for theatrical presentation.

Creative interpretation shapes the final narrative, focusing on emotional truth over strict chronology.

Accuracy Assessment: The Hot Rock adapts its source material for dramatic purposes. The film prioritizes thematic resonance over documentary precision.

Who Should Watch The Hot Rock?

Worth Watching If You:

  • Enjoy Crime films and don't mind familiar tropes
  • Are a fan of the cast or director
  • Want solid genre entertainment

Box Office Collection: The Hot Rock

Metric / RegionCollection (Approx)
Production Budget $4.9M
Worldwide Gross $3.5M
Trade Verdict CLEAN HIT

The Hot Rock Budget

The estimated production budget for The Hot Rock is $4.9M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.

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Top Cast: The Hot Rock

All Cast & Crew →
Robert Redford
Robert RedfordJohn Dortmunder
George Segal
George SegalAndrew Kelp
Ron Leibman
Ron LeibmanStanley Murch
Paul Sand
Paul SandAlan Greenburg
Moses Gunn
Moses GunnDr. Amusa
Topo Swope
Topo Swope"Sis" Clara Kelp
Graham Jarvis
Graham JarvisFrank, the Prison Warden
Zero Mostel
Zero MostelAbe Greenberg
Harry Bellaver
Harry BellaverRollo the Bartender
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The Hot Rock Parents Guide & Age Rating

1972 Advisory
PG

Official Age Rating

Wondering about The Hot Rock age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:

The Hot Rock is rated PG. Parents should be aware that it contains mature themes, violence. It is generally suitable for all ages.

⏱️ Runtime & Duration

The total runtime of The Hot Rock is 101 minutes (1h 41m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.

Verdict Summary

Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.5/10, and global performance metrics, The Hot Rock is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 1972 cinematic calendar.

HIT
Official movieMx status for The Hot Rock. Rating: 6.5/10

Frequently Asked Questions

Is The Hot Rock worth watching?

The Hot Rock is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Crime movies. It has a verified rating of 6.5/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.

Where can I find The Hot Rock parents guide and age rating?

The official parents guide for The Hot Rock identifies it as PG. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.

What is the total runtime of The Hot Rock?

The total duration of The Hot Rock is 101 minutes, which is approximately 1h 41m long.

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How The Hot Rock Compares & Where it Ranks

Critic Reviews for The Hot Rock

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🛡️

movieMx Verified

This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.

This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.

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Expert Consensus
Live Rating
MOVIEMX
★ 6.5
The Hot Rock
<a href="https://moviemx.in/review/the-hot-rock-46059" target="_blank" style="text-decoration:none;"><div style="background:#121212;border:1px solid #f5c518;border-radius:12px;padding:15px;width:180px;text-align:center;font-family:sans-serif;box-shadow:0 10px 20px rgba(0,0,0,0.3);"><div style="color:#f5c518;font-size:10px;font-weight:900;letter-spacing:2px;">MOVIEMX</div><div style="color:white;font-size:28px;font-weight:900;margin:8px 0;">★ 6.5</div><div style="color:#888;font-size:12px;font-weight:500;">The Hot Rock</div></div></a>

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