Review of The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1974) by Gregg P — 02 Sep 2009
The films premise that a group of armed men hijack a New York City subway train seems a little far fetched. But what we have here a relatively intelligent heist film that doesn't resort to ridiculously complex schemes.
The gang of hijackers is led by Robert Shaw and includes Martin Balsam and Hector Elizondo. The hijackers have taken the precaution of only referring to each other by their code names (Mr Blue, Mr Grey, Mr Brown, Mr Gray). Almost 20 years later the gang in Tarantino's Reservoir Dogs would take the same precaution.
The man that is leading the official response is Lieutenant Zachary Garber (Walter Matthau) of the Transit Police.
The cast is uniformly good and there is an interesting supporting cast that includes a number of actors who later become better known for sitcoms; Jerry Stiller (Seinfeld), Doris Roberts (Everybody Loves Raymond), Earl Hindman (Home Improvement), Dick O'Neill.
The film very effectively portrays a perceived New York attitude and in particular the New York attitude of the 1970's.
The score which is by David Shire (husband at the time of Talia Shire of Rocky and The Godfather fame) is very effective in setting up the mood.
The film which has already been re-made once for television has again been re-made this summer by director Tony Scott. This version features such heavy weight talent as; Denzel Washington, John Travolta, James Gandolfini, John Turturro and Luis Guzman. While this is one of those films where I don't see the necessity of a re-make because the original is so good, it will be interesting to see what comes from such talented film makers.
This review of The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1974) was written by Gregg P on 02 Sep 2009.
The Taking of Pelham One Two Three has generally received very positive reviews.
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