The Hot Rock is a 1972 American crime comedy-drama film directed by Peter Yates and written by William Goldman, based on Donald E. Westlake's 1970 novel of the same name, which introduced his long-running John Dortmunder character.

The film stars Robert Redford, George Segal, Ron Leibman, Paul Sand, Moses Gunn and Zero Mostel.

Dr. Amusa seeks a valuable gem in the Brooklyn Museum that is of great significance to his people in his country in Africa, stolen during colonial times and then re-stolen by various African nations.

Dortmunder and Kelp are joined by driver Stan Murch and explosives expert Allan Greenberg, concocting an elaborate plan to steal the gem.

The scenes of "the practice run" in which Ron Leibman drives his car into the back of a waiting tractor trailer was also filmed in East Meadow on Hempstead Turnpike.

"[8] Roger Greenspun of The New York Times stated that "if The Hot Rock is never quite good enough, it is always pretty good⁠—and inventive, and attentive to reasonable detail.

"[11] Gary Arnold of The Washington Post thought that Redford gave what "seems more like a frozen, impassive performance than the ironically funny and affecting one it's supposed to be."

"[12] Nigel Andrews of The Monthly Film Bulletin stated "Within the limits of an increasingly familiar genre, How to Steal a Diamond springs a number of enjoyable surprises.

Although the early scenes threaten another conveyor-belt variation on the 'perfect robbery' film, How to Steal a Diamond has the entertaining difference that the criminals' plans go wrong on three occasions before they finally make off with the loot.

The film score was composed, arranged and conducted by Quincy Jones and the soundtrack album originally was released on the Prophesy label in 1972.