The Taking Of Pelham One Two Three Movie
Storyline
TAGLINES
Before this train reaches the next station it will become the scene of the most spectacular hijack ever attempted
We are going to kill one passenger a minute until New York City pays us 1 million dollars.
Everyone read it. Now you can live it.
No other hijack was ever like his
Pelham 1-2-3, a subway train, becomes the focal point of the most audacious and unusual terrorist attack ever seen. Four gunmen, going by color codenames, seize the train and hold its passengers and conductor hostage halfway between underground stations, demanding a hefty ransom else they will begin executing hostages. A veteran NY transit policeman leads negotiations with the hijackers to prevent any killing, but amid the showdown a question nags at authrorities - with the gunmen and their hostages in a tunnel surrounded by police on all sides, how can they possibly escape?
| Walter Matthau | Lt. Garber |
| Robert Shaw | Blue |
| Martin Balsam | Green |
| Hector Elizondo | Grey |
| Earl Hindman | Brown |
| James Broderick | Denny Doyle |
| Dick O'Neill | Frank Correll |
| Lee Wallace | The Mayor |
| Tom Pedi | Caz Dolowicz |
| Beatrice Winde | Mrs. Jenkins |
| Jerry Stiller | Lt. Rico Patrone |
| Nathan George | Ptl. James |
| Rudy Bond | Police Commissioner |
| Kenneth McMillan | Borough Commander |
| Doris Roberts | Mayor's Wife |
| Joseph Sargent |
7.70 out of 10 (6034 votes)
Visitor Reviews
Brilliant
posted on 15 May 2009I discovered this movie after reading a blurb about it in the book "Cinema Year by Year: 1894-2000." I quickly went out and rented it and was grateful that I did. The Taking of Pelham One Two Three is a masterpiece of a thriller and certainly one that is too-often overlooked. It contains a large dose of humor, much of it by Walter Matthau, that helps the film tremendously. And while its plot may seem formulaic at first, further viewing will show that it is anything but. The last scene is especially clever (and humorous!). Kudos to director Joseph Sargent and writer Peter Stone for creating such a brilliant piece of entertainment.
Great thriller
posted on 15 Apr 2009Four men hijack a subway car full of people. They demand $1,000,000 from NYC in 1 hour...and they'll kill a hostage for every minute it's late.I saw this back when I was 12...my dad took me to see it (it's R rated). I loved it back then and, I'm glad, to say, I STILL love it now! It's extremely well done--full of suspense, action and violence. It isn't really an actor's film but Walter Matthau does as good as can be expected and Robert Shaw is excellent as the cold-blooded head villain. The movie has tons of swearing (that alone got it the R), offensive stereotypes and gleefully politically incorrect dialogue and jokes. But you'll be so caught up in the story you probably won't be bothered by it.This is an exceptional 1970s thriller that, sadly, is virtually forgotten. Naturally Hollywood is remaking it (for no good reason) See this (the original) if you get the chance! Highly recommended.
Great Crime Drama (spoilers)
posted on 16 Mar 2009I dig this film. All the grit of 70's NYC in a great story with perfect casting. The color-coded names were genius. Robert Shaw was dead on. A very well drawn character. Hector Elizondo, Mr Grey, was as sketchy as could be. You knew he was going to snap at some point. Matthau's cool head while dealing with the politics of Dick O'Neill was quality. Catch this film, you won't be sorry.Best,Rob
Rent it, see it, buy the CD!
posted on 26 Feb 2009David Shire's music captures perfectly the grit and energy of New York in this amazingly under rated crime classic. Walter Matthau and Martin Balsam are superb, but Robert Shaw is the perfect casting choice in this gem. Whatever you do, don't watch it on channel 48 on a Sunday afternoon, it will be cut to shreds, get the video or DVD (if it is available). A true classic.
Average 70's movie.
posted on 23 Feb 2009Here are your names......Mr Brown, Mr Blue, Mr Grey, Mr GreenWhy do I got to be Mr Green?Because you're a f----! This movie character naming inspired Quentin Tarantino to name his Reservoir Dogs: Mr Brown, Mr Blue, Mr Blonde, Mr Orange, Mr White, Mr Pink.As for this movie it's pretty good but nothing really special other than the names the only thing it shares in common with Reservoir Dogs is that things don't go according to plan for the robbers. Standard.
Super Seventies Crime Drama!
posted on 17 Feb 2009One of the best examples of the 70s crime drama genre. The subway car setting is an excellent personification of NYC in that era. It's gritty, dirty, and dangerous. Matthau is the epitome of the haggard, weary official, another 70s staple for this type of film. Excellent incidental music with a super-70s flatfoot riff that really captures the mood. Perhaps the only flaw I saw in this film were the flat, stereotyped passengers on the subway car. The hippie, the hooker, etc. Matthau's look in the movie's final scene is priceless. This film is a must-see!
Solid and well made crime thriller
posted on 06 Jan 2009An edge of the seat, intriguing crime thriller about four men who hijack a subway train and demand $1,000,000 for the release of the train and its passengers. Walter Matthau plays the slightly cynical transport cop on the case while Robert Shaw is chilling as the chief terrorist, Mr Blue. Indeed all the terrorists adopt colours as their "names", a hallmark later seen in another slick crime caper "Reservoir Dogs". The film builds up to a great conclusion, the very sudden ending being one thats very well crafted indeed.
Taking of Pelham One Two Three is a one of a kind taking!
posted on 28 Dec 2008This was a highly enjoyable and energetic hostage film, after all; who's ever gonna come up the idea of stealing a subway train? Unlike most hijack films of the 70's this one is stylish and smart with plenty of in joke hummor and catch phrases. A fun movie to watch and definitely a classic in which is sure not to disappoint any movie buff. My advice to any movie lover is get to a video store near you and pick up your own copy of this film.Later this film was even remade as a 1998 TV movie which does not even come close to this 1974 box office mega hit.
First-rate thrills and suspense take the spotlight of this incredible classic.
posted on 13 Dec 2008Could this be the film that inspired endless numbers of productions that deal with hijackings? One example is the made-for-TV film DETOUR TO TERROR starring O.J. Simpson (remember this one?). PELHAM 1-2-3 might have been ahead of its time for packing up the heavy adrenalin. The hair-gripping suspense is the major element for this type of film, and it may last more than an hour to prepare for the unexpected to happen. Robert Shaw ("Quint" from JAWS) has done fine performances, and his part in leading the hijacking quartet is a sensible role. Little do we know that these "villains" are more stylish and handsome in description, rather than the tackiness. But hang on for the climactic section of the Pelham subway train; the fast-paced editing meant new creativity in 70s movies. I appreciated the comedy relief being added to this exciting film because the feeling turns more episodic for its increased value, and this special blend of formula works. It might actually mistaken the careless viewer for blaming on the corny dialogue spoken by many of the actors! Since PELHAM 1-2-3 continues to receive high praise after twenty-five years, a special collector's edition would be a strong possibility. Highly recommended!
Enjoyable
posted on 07 Nov 2008The print I always manage to catch is tinted a gloomy blue but that's okay. The movie is worth watching anyway. The story line is familiar enough that I won't bother going over it much. The notion that the thieves should name themselves after colors -- Mr. Brown, Mr. Green -- was adopted by Tarantino for "Reservoir Dogs," of course, as every Turturro addict knows. I should point out that the novel is at least as good as the film because the author occasionally uses an omniscient point of view and we get some better notion of what the participants in this caper are feeling. The confrontation between the African-American kid and Robert Shaw on the subway platform is more amusing, for instance. In the film, the kid glares at Shaw, and Shaw can only smile back. In the novel we are taken inside the kid's head and invited to play with him the game that he plays with people like Shaw. He has this idea, you see, that if he stares at some stranger with this particularly menacing expression, "he HYPMOTIZE him!" As it turns out, Shaw is nobody to play games with. In deciding whom to execute, Shaw looks around the car and thinks about the flat-out drunken woman. She'd be the least missed. But on the other hand, "who am I to play God." The exposition in the novel is clumsy but adds to our understanding of what's going on. We get more information about how many cars there are on a subway train, how long the train is, how many transit cops are around, and how they relate to the NYPD. Kind of interesting, in a touristy way. The Japanese "monkeys" in the movie serve their comedic purpose. Anyone who has seen footage of the real Tokyo subway system in operation must suspect that they view the New York City subway system as a paragon of order and good taste. (In Tokyo, they use "pushers" to squeeze as many innocent passengers as possible into each car; what happens if one of them wants to release some Sirin gas?) Walter Mathau is at his slouching New-Yorkese best, grumbling, kwetching, outfitted in a droopy suit with a startling canary yellow tie. And -- well, look at the movie. Here we are given a story about the hijacking of a subway train -- and there is not a single exploding fireball.There is some shooting with automatic weapons and pistols, but not much of that, and nobody wields two Uzzis at once. Nobody's head balloons into jelly. There is no blood, and no final shoot out in an unused deadend tunnel or empty warehouse. Mathau doesn't even carry a gun. The movie ends with a sneeze and an ironically polite German blessing. The acting is up to snuff, the narrative easy enough to follow, and exciting, if not entirely believable. The villains are neatly differentiated. The low-brow greedy ex-motorman of Martin Balsam, who practically embodies New York City in its grittier aspects; Shaw's icy disdain; Elizondo's angry psychopathy. It's an enjoyable movie, all around. The fact that it was made when it was, in 1974, helps in understanding why the story and characters weren't overwhelmed by special effects. Cf., Stallone's movie about the Holland Tunnel. (Everyone in that movie should have been drowned; who would want to go to New Jersey anyway? The state smells like somebody's old sweatshirt.)It ought to be mentioned that despite the tension and occasional violence this is a pretty funny movie. Much of the humor grows out of urban, ethnic cynicism and vulgarity. Yiddish is flung around profligately -- "Mishigas," "putz." The transit supervisor, a Polish-American, is accosted by a released hostage who shouts, "I'm gonna SUE you! Hear me? I'm gonna SUE your a**." Cas Dolowitz bellows back an obscene Italian expression that can be roughly rendered as "fanablagotz!" It would be nice to turn back the clock and be able to watch a film like "The Taking of Pelham One Two Three" on a regular basis. It engages your interest with no pretensions at attempting to do anything else. It leaves your eardrums intact. Did you realize that one of the membranes in your inner ear is so sensitive that it transmits sound by vibrating only the diameter of a hydrogen atom? If you want to treat your ears like a temple instead of a pool room, see this movie and avoid "action-movie gap." Do it now. Offer ends at midnight. Not sold in stores.
Quintessential 1970s Action/Drama
posted on 14 Oct 2008Of the some 600 DVDs I own, this one is one that I watch once a month. It is a must see for any 70s fans. The acting/directing and music are fantastic. Script and are great. Robert Shaw, Martin Balsam, Hector Elizondo & Walter Matthau are at there finest. This movie is funny, violent and has every possible NYC stereotype know to man in it.Simply one my favorite movies of all time.
Movie remake starring Denzel & John Travolta
posted on 11 Oct 2008I haven't seen the movie yet, but i will make sure i watch it this year. the main reason i haven't seen it, is because it was out before i was born but it sounds great, but the real reason i want to see it, is because it is Denzel Washington's next movie. (The Taking Of Pelham)I am a big Denzel fan & on top of that I am a big Travolta fan, they are probably my 2 favorite actors as of right now. Denzel is probably the God of actors according to a lot of black people... and i tend to agree, but Travolta is also great and probably the most versatile actor in the business.... who else can pull off all the movies he has done. A dancer in one movie, a comedian, a gangster, a hero,.. he is just the best at what he does. well that is what i think. any movie with these 2 actors in it, will get my money any day. And i cant wait to see it... just thought i would write something about it because i am really excited.
Calling all cars... (spoilers)
posted on 08 Oct 2008If you're in the mood for a decent action thriller from the 70s, 'The Taking of Pelham One Two Three' is a good choice. Though it has a rather undeveloped story, the movie is backed by a phenomenal share of performers and spattered with moments of comic relief.This is the story of four men who hijack a New York subway car (Pelham 123). While their motives are never really explained, their demands are simple: one million dollars in exchange for the eighteen passengers being held hostage. Where the idiotic mayor (with a striking resemblance to former New York mayor, Ed Koch) fails to respond to the emergency, the Lueteneit of the New York Transit Authority (Walter Matthau) prepares to negotiate with the men and save as many of the hostages as possible. This is no easy task of course, given the unrelenting "leader" of of the gang of four, Mr. Blue (yes, this serves as the precedent for Tarrantino's 'Resevoir Dogs,' as do many things in 1970s cinema), played by Robert Shaw, who seems to command the show, making seemingly impossible demands on the authorities. The movie does well with maintaining the pace throughout the picture, with the tension being broken moments of comic relief. Although, the story remains somewhat undeveloped, since we never really find out why the hijackers have chosen to take over the train. Other than Robert Shaw's character, the hijackers are men of few words.However, in spite of this, the movie is still entertaining, due in large part to a terrific cast of acting veterans and regulars, including Marty Balsam, Hector Elizando, and Earl Hindmen ("Wilson" on TV's 'Home Improvement') who portray the hijackers, and Jerry Stiller, James Broderick, and many other familiar faces serving as Matthau's support team.Overall, I would recommend seeing this movie, if you're able to find it. Unfortunately, since Hollywood never has any original ideas anymore, 'The Taking of Pelham One Two Three' was remade as a made-for-TV movie in 1998. For maximum enjoyment, catch it in its original form. The cast alone is reason enough to watch it.
Gesundheit! New York in the Rotting 70s
posted on 22 Jul 2008Better than average detective/thriller about a subway car that is hijacked by 4 men, for a million dollar ransom. Two things strike me about this movie. The first is its time capsule value in capturing a typical day in the city during the 1970s. Note how incredibly antiquated much of the equipment was, specifically the telecommunications gear which probably hadn't changed for 40 years. Also interesting is the latitude in offensive remarks towards women and minorities that has since been criminalized. The second was the handling of terrorism, which really at that time was a new concept and out of the playbook for the authorities. Remember that in those days, we basically gave the terrorists what they wanted so that they would release their hostages, and then hoped to apprehend them in their escape. Yes the film is therefore dated, but in this case, it's a positive. I don't often feel this way towards films from this era. The cast is fantastic. Robert Shaw is a somewhat forgotten figure in film, even though he appears in some of the biggest movies of the time. Here as always, he is a pleasure to watch. Matthau sort of lead foots the New York accent, but he also gives a first rate performance. The final freeze shot of his unforgettable mug is classic. Good stuff!
Before this train reaches the next station it will become the scene of the most spectacular hijack ever attempted
posted on 16 Jun 2008Based on the book by John Godey, TAKING OF PELHAM focuses on four criminals who hijack a subway car and demand one million dollars from the mayor of New York, threatening to kill one hostage per minute if their demands aren't met. New York City transit lieutenant Zachary Garber goes above and beyond his call of duty to play negotiator with the hijackers.With the remake coming out this weekend (June 12, 2009), what's a better time than to watch the original film? I guess the film aged well because even at 35 years later, the film doesn't feel dated. What I liked about this film is how easily it blends suspense, comedy, and action. Some films try to blend genres and end up failing horribly but not TAKING OF PELHAM. The blend is smooth, being funny when it needs to be, thrilling when it needs to be, and just plain entertaining from beginning to end.However, I was surprised the movie had some light-hearted scenes. I wasn't expecting that, thinking that it would be a serious gripping film. Well, it actually is, but the subtle humor and the witty dialogue are here too. The relationship between Walter Matthau and Robert Shaw, both playing the main hero and villain respectively, is very fun to see on screen. They do a great job in the movie. The other castmembers did decently in their roles, although there isn't one to shout out about.If there is a negative thing to say about TAKING OF PELHAM, it would be the over-dramatic score that I was never used to. The whole plan turns out to be a bit of a letdown too, after being built so much throughout the film. However, the last scene is pitch perfect, although I saw it coming. It was great to see the inevitable finishing of the movie, though. TAKING OF PELHAM is what you want in a crime thriller. It's funny, gripping, and, most of all, entertaining. Don't be worried to stop for this train. (Sorry, I couldn't resist).
Superb nail-biting thriller!
posted on 20 May 2008This has got to be one of the best movies of all time - The story is riveting - a bunch of crooks and a disgruntled sacked train driver hijack a subway train (pelham 123) with about a dozen people on board and they're not afraid to turn their guns on their hostages if their demands of $1,000,000 in an hour isn't met.
The cast is amazing - Robert Shaw (best known for Jaws) is Mr Blue the ring-leader of the gang, Hector Elizondo (best known for Beverly hills cop 3) a psychotic former mafia killer is MR Grey, Martin Balsam is MR Green & Earl Hindman is MR Brown.
The great late Walter Matthau is Zack Garber the man trying to find the answers has to how they will make their escape as well as bringing them to justice.Great story,Great Acting & Nail-Biting Tension!A must see! 10/10
A real 70s gem...
posted on 14 May 2008One of the best movies of the 70s which never quite got the credit it deserved. Lots of great performances but the stand outs are Matthau as Lt. Garber struggling to deal with the equally good Robert Shaw as Mr Blue, leader of the hijackers. The contrast between these two characters is one of the highlights of the film. Garber is the wise-cracking, world-weary New Yorker - Mr Blue the intelligent, cool, calculating Englishman who somehow still manages to retain an air of English politeness and good manners while being a ruthless killer. This film combines tension and suspense with laughs along the way - not an easy combination - but it works. By the way, I've noticed some comments about Shaw along the lines of him "working hard to sound English". Shaw WAS English and trained at RADA (the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London) so I think there's a good chance his English accent is pretty good!
God bless public transportation
posted on 30 Mar 2008I was just browsing the web and stumbled onto Roger Ebert's website. I noticed he posted a review for this film under overlooked DVD of the week. I was aware that the film was coming out this Friday, but had no idea that it was a remake. I found the original online and watched it. To my surprise I was very entertained, even stunned. Shaw is fantastic as the man who takes the subway train hostage. Matthau is quick and witty as Lt. Garber, the man in charge of the situation. The acting is superb all the way around. It stays very real even though it's a very unbelievable situation, and what an amazing ending! I think I'm going to have to see the new one now, even though I doubt it will be better than this one.
film is good. Soundtrack is fantastic
posted on 29 Feb 2008It's a fine mid seventies thriller. Mixing a serious plot with the light, semi-snyde comic delivery of Walter Matthau. Robert Shaw gives a fine evil performance. But, I have to say that David Shire's soundtrack and theme "song" is probably the heaviest piece of funk/jazz and makes the movie worth seeing on that alone.The music is wonderfully chunky. It compliments the film
My Second Favorite Movie Of The 1970's
posted on 27 May 2009I try to avoid using words like "the Best" when it comes to movies since it is all so subjective. I feel much more comfortable and poised discussing my personal favorites, and why I love them. Walter Matthau is virtually ideal as the world-weary and sarcastic New York police detective. Capable of interjecting quick wit into the most morbid situations and equally capable of committing numerous faux pas, he nonetheless NEVER loses his humanity and does not let fear of ridicule deter him from taking care of the business at hand. I have never seen a movie portray a cop that, at the same time, is so realistic as a human being, entertaining as a character, and effective as a detective despite inevitable false starts. There is not a false note in Matthau's performance.As a perfect complement to Matthau's tour-de-force, the quartet of crooks (Shaw, Elizondo, Balsam, and Hindman) all present facades of coldly and brutally efficient professionalism as robbers-by-choice but murderers-only-by-necessity. Shaw and Elizondo are superb with the two showier roles, but they are made even more effective by the underplayed professional support supplied by Hindman and Balsam. The latter contributes mightily to the film's unforgettable final scene.The plot, music, photography, background, dialog, and the rest of the supporting cast -- most especially Dick O'Neill as a vengeful city worker, Lee Wallace as the whiny mayor, and Tony Roberts as Wallace's image consultant -- are all equally up to the task.I love many 1970's movies. Probably not coincidentally, my #1 favorite remains the Sting, another caper movie. Some of my other favorites that still hold up well today include: Rocky, Sleuth, Patton, M*A*S*H, One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest, American Graffiti, Paper Moon, Kramer Vs. Kramer, Star Wars, Taxi Driver, Fiddler On The Roof, Brian's Song, The Godfather, The Last Detail, and Cabaret. Nevertheless, if I'm alone on a rainy day here in New York City, and wish to be entertained, frequently the first movie I will select is The Taking Of Pelham-One-Two-Three.