The Taking of Pelham One Two Three

Thrillers don't get much more thrilling than The Taking of Pelham One, Two, Three (1974). Based on a popular but now mostly forgotten novel by John Godey, the film takes a novel situation and presents it with a sense of style and a dash of humor. Naturalistic performances by such actors as Walter Matthau and Robert Shaw only add to the tension. It was nominated for a Writer's Guild award and has surprised viewers for years who weren't expecting anything more than a routine crime drama. Like any good thriller, the story of The Taking of Pelham One, Two, Three is direct and to the point. Four identically clothed men get aboard the subway leaving the Pelham station at 1:23 (thus the film's title). Soon they've taken control of one car with its assortment of riders while demanding that the city of New York give them $1 million or they'll start killing hostages. Transit officer Walter Matthau must deal with their clever, ruthless leader (Robert Shaw). The hijackers are all named after colors (Mr. Brown, Mr. Green, etc.) which apparently inspired Quentin Tarantino's similar plot device in Reservoir Dogs (1992). New York's Transit Authority initially wouldn't allow the film to be made on actual subways because of the fear of copycat crimes. Mayor Lindsay got involved and the Authority finally gave permission but still required the studio to buy anti-hijacking insurance though there were never any attempts. The credits have a disclaimer that the Transit Authority didn't ... more