Walter Matthau, Robert Shaw, Martin Balsam

In New York, armed men hijack a subway car and demand a ransom for the passengers. Even if it's paid, how could they get away?

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87% liked it

5,957 ratings

R, 124 min.

Directed by: Joseph Sargent

Release Date: October 2, 1974

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DVD Release Date: May 15, 2001

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Flixster Reviews (661)


  • October 23, 2009
    A little bit dated maybe, a bit naive and unfortunately a little bit racist but this classic 70's thriller has some great characters and what it lacked in action, it made up for in intrigue, dialogue and performance. Future action/thrillers should take note (although a remake isn...( read more)?t quite what I mean)
  • September 6, 2009
    Review coming soon...
  • August 8, 2009
    A group of criminals highjack a subway train and demand $1 million from New York City. Transit cop, Lt. Garber tries to work the situation out, but it seems the gang have planned everything to the second and are running the show. Garber tries to get one step ahead of the gang.

    O...( read more)f course now everyone knows this film because of the supposed connection to Reservoir Dogs, in that the criminals are colour coded instead of names. However even without this cult reference this film deserves to be watched and enjoyed. The story exists on two levels. First we have the setup ? it also acknowledges that it is the usual disaster movie setup?.the majority of characters are listed in the credits as stereotypes instead of people (ie, `the pimp' `the junkie' etc). However this is not a weakness as the thriller story is solid enough to carry the film. It isn't all action but it's very tense and interesting. What really tops it off is the thick vein of humour that runs through it ? mostly coming from Matthau.

    Matthau shows how wonderful he is and how he manages to do well in so many different film styles. His world-weary act is great and his Brooklyn accent is pushed to the fore. Roberts Shaw is also good, but has less of a character and is working hard to sound English. The cast is actually deep in faces ? we have an almost unrecognisable Elizondo, Woody Allen actor Tony Roberts, a fantastic Mayor from Wallace and Jerry Stiller (Ben's dad), who doesn't look much older today than he did then!

    Overall this is very enjoyable, but it is made by Matthau. The thriller plot stands up well despite the lack of modern fireworks. A cult classic in the making.
  • July 30, 2009
    The Taking of Pelham One Two Three is a tense crime thriller full of original characters and perfect dialogue. I was struck by the naturalism of it all, with hijacker Balsam engaging in a conversation about colds with the conductor. Shaw makes a fantastic villain, he is cold, cal...( read more)m and calculated, but always in control. This makes him one of those characters that you know will be a genuine threat to the our hero. The film is also a time capsule of 70's New York. It's a time of change where racism and sexism are on their way out, but are still present. The film's climax is actually rather anti-climatic. There's no Hollywood hail of bullets and quick cuts. There isn't some big stand-off eiher, I found this a refreshing change from today's films. This is a real gem.
  • June 23, 2009
    Matthau is a Lieutenant in the Transit Authority police for the city of New York. He works from a control room for the subway system. Jerry Stiller is another Lieutenant for the TA. And O'Neill is the lead manager of the control room. Having Stiller and Matthau in unexpected ...( read more)dramatic/thriller roles was an interesting choice and ultimately rewarding. And there is actually a good amount of humor tossed into the scenes.

    Meanwhile, four men all in practically matching fedoras, trench coats, horned rim glasses, and mustaches are boarding a subway train at different stops. It immediately becomes evident that their plans are very intricate and well executed. They call themselves Mr. Blue (Shaw), Mr. Green (Balsam), Mr. Grey (Elizondo), and Mr. Brown (Hindman). They take control of one subway car and keep the passengers hostage. The leader, Mr. Blue, eventually talks to Lieutenant Garber (Matthau) and makes demands. The hijackers want one million dollars in an hour.

    The story is well written and I can see why a remake has been made. However, it looks like the remake ruins some things that I enjoyed about this original. The economic environment of the mid-seventies and today have a lot in common. What I really loved about the movie was how it seemed completely natural, like you were truly seeing New York City culture in '73-74. The hostages are multi-cultural, the clothing and language have a strong flavor, and the music sets the gritty tone. The people of New York are foul mouthed, un-PC, respond from their gut (at least most characters do), and yet are endearing.
  • October 19, 2009
    Walter Matthau and Robert Shaw shine in this sleek 1970s thriller. Somehow, the movie manages to be original while not going so far out on a limb that it's obviously grasping for that "unique" label. The film is very well-structured. It hits all the key points that it needs to wi...( read more)thout dragging things out more than it needs to. I love the ending because it's so unconventional. It furthers the point that Walter Matthau is a total badass.
  • September 17, 2009
    I got a real kick out of this movie. Just a great thriller. Although, I was annoyed at the chopped up edited version I saw on TV. This is one of those films where it was easy to buy into the premise and (pardon the pun) go along for the ride. Matthau was terrific. I really e...( read more)njoyed watching him in this movie. Alone, his presence was enough to make watching this worthwhile.
  • September 16, 2009
    Suspenseful with a touch of comedy
  • September 15, 2009
    From the mayor's office to police headquarters to the busiest subway system, New York City is held powerless from the grip of four ruthless men, each of them wearing an almost-identical trench coat, sunglasses, and hat. They all board at a variety of station stops at the Pelham 1...( read more)23 subway train run of the 6 Lexington Avenue Local Service. Armed with submachine guns, the men hijack a subway car and demand a million-dollar ransom for the passengers in hostage. Even if it's paid, how could they get away?

    Directed by Joseph Sargent, The Taking Of Pelham One Two Three features excellent acting performances from the following cast:
    1.) Walter Matthau (Lt. Garber)
    2.) Robert Shaw (Blue)
    3.) Martin Balsam (Green)
    4.) Hector Elizondo (Grey)
    5.) Jerry Stiller (Lt. Rico Patrone)

    When I first watched this I found The Taking Of Pelham One Two Three as a great, thrilling underground subway action classic of the time. I understand that the '70s saw the rise of hijackings in transportation so this movie (and the John Godey novel that it was based on) were made. There is a moving drama in which the armed men take over the train as the subway control room listens, all the way until the great action happens when Walter Matthau comes to fight them. He's done an outstanding acting performance here while playing the hero who saves the day. Films from the '70s are now fascinating me, and I was glad to have found this exciting film from Pelham 123.
  • September 7, 2009
    A great caper flix w/ Matthau & Shaw both giving dynomite battling performances. Tarantino may have lift the colour schemed names for Reservoir Dogs but it originated in this nifty little film.

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The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3) Trivia

The Taking of Pelham One Two Thre... Trivia


  • Name this movie that starred Robert Shaw as a hijacker along with Martin Balsam and Walter Matthau as a transit authority inspector  Answer »
  • Name the film: Walter Matthau has to stop Robert Shaw and a team of hijackers from shooting innocent people on a NY subway.  Answer »

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