Alternate versions

The original network television version included two extra scenes. The first one is where the hypnotist, that is hired, explaining to Redford's gang how hypnosis works and how he can hypnotize the bank worker. He tells them the trigger phrase will be "Afghanistan banana stand", which Redford later says to the bank worker to obey his commands. The second one occurs at the end of the movie where Abe Greenberg and Dr. Amusa go to the bank to retrieve the diamond, but are disappointed to discover Dortmunder already took it from the safe deposit box.

The version of the film shown on AMC (American Movie Classics) features an extra scene after Robert Redford has already left the bank with the Sahara diamond with his partners, where Zero Mostel and Moses Gunn arrive at the bank not knowing that Redford had taken the diamond from the safety deposit box. The newly released DVD by Fox omits this scene and the film ends as they getaway in the station wagon driving along Park Avenue and the End Credits shown instantly afterwards.