Helpful The Taking of Pelham 123 reviews

The Taking of Pelham 123

1974

Overall rating: 3.5 out of 5

from 3380 members

Blu-ray: We do not have rental rights for this product.

On a quiet midday in New York, along the Lexington Avenue subway line, the train designated Pelham One Two Three -- so named for its station of origin and time of departure -- makes its way down the East Side of Manhattan. One by one, three men board the train, and at 28th Street, a fourth man approaches the motorman (James Broderick) and points a pistol at him, ordering him to unlock the door to his cab and admit the man waiting there; meanwhile, another man points a gun at the conductor and threatens to kill him unless he holds the doors open and then closes them when the man talking to the motorman is aboard. Once on board, Mr. Blue (Robert Shaw) and Mr. Green (Martin Balsam) halt the train between stations, while Mr. Brown (Earl Hindeman) and Mr. Gray (Hector Elizondo) seal off the lead car. With Mr. Green at the controls, the front car is separated and isolated in the tunnel with 17 passengers aboard, and then Mr. Blue presents their demands over the radio: one million dollars in cash, within one hour, or they will start shooting one passenger each minute. On the other end, Transit Police Lieutenant Zachary Garber (Walter Matthau) must overcome his initial disbelief to deal with this threat, amid the confusion of a subway system that's chaotic even when it's running normally. With the mayor reluctantly aboard to pay the ransom, Garber must keep the hijackers from carrying out their threat while the money is transported, and keep the hotheads around him and on the police force under control -- and figure out how they intend to get away with a million dollars from inside a subway tunnel with police on all sides.~ Bruce Eder, All Movie Guide

The Taking of Pelham 123 details

Formats:	15 DVD, Blu-ray
Starring:	Dick O'Neill, Jerry Stiller, James Broderick, Hector Elizondo, Martin Balsam, Walter Matthau, Robert Shaw, Earl Hindman, Lee Wallace
Director:	Joseph Sargent
Genres:	Drama - Biography, Family, General, Thriller - Crime
Studio:	MGM ENTERTAINMENT
Collections:	The Big Apple

Name	Discs
The Taking of Pelham 123	15 Feature

DVD Information

Run time:	1 hour 40 minutes
Rental release:	29 Apr 2002
Main languages:	English
Dubbed:	German, French, Spanish, Italian
Subtitles:	Danish, Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish
Hearing impaired subtitles:	English, German

Name	Discs
The Taking of Pelham 123	15 Feature

Blu-ray Information

Run time:	1 hour 40 minutes
Rental release:	Not available for rental
Main languages:	English

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Most helpful review The Taking of Pelham 123

SEE THIS FILM!

By BiggerBoat (5 reviews) from Bristol , 24 Mar 2005

[Highly rated reviewer]

I don't generally write reviews because I'm not very skilled at it but I feel compelled to now. If only one person rents this film on my recommendation, then my job is done! I've been quietly singing the praises of this movie ever since I first saw it on TV as a kid about 20 years ago. It's one of those that I always watch whenever it's on.

I have never understood why this film is so unknown. It's got more style and tension than any modern thriller of recent years. The dialogue sizzles with dry humour. The pacing is breathtaking, with the events of nearly the entire film taking place in real time. Walther Matthau demonstrates how movie heroes do not have to be young and handsome. Seeing Robert Shaw again reminds us of how tragic it was that he made so few films. It's all topped off with a thumping jazz soundtrack that sounds like Lalo Schifrin after too many coffees.

See this film - I challenge anyone to not love it instantly.
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Metro Dogs

By a customer , 18 Jun 2012

I didn't get the Reservoir Dogs references until someone mentioned them in a review - now I can't stop seeing them.

This is a cool action thriller with a memorable ending.

The actors put on a good performance and really get into their parts. Enjoyable to watch.

The pacing is beautiful and throughout there is a well contrived contrast between the feisty New Yorkers and the cold-as-ice English man who leads the bad guys in this very unusual heist.

I've taken 1 star away for the sheer dreariness of the visuals.
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A great ride, unless you're a passenger

By a customer from Hertfordshire , 08 May 2012

From the moment you hear the 70s score you know you're in for a good ride, unlike the hapless passengers of Pelham 123. And one of the main messages must be not to wear a uniform in a crisis. But what a fabulous tale.

Great writing, great action, and Walter Matthau's final expression is the film's crowning glory.
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the original and best

By a customer , 08 Apr 2011

this original version is far superior to the Denzel Washington remake. very clever plot with just enough twists to be able to overlook that it was made in the 70s. Though don't let it's age put you off viewing
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PELHAM 123

By a customer from SHEFFIELD , 09 Aug 2010

THOUGHT THIS WAS BETTER THAN THE REMAKE VERSION STARRING JOHN TRAVOLTA. TRAVOLTA PLAYS A GOOD PART IN REMAKE BUT RECOMMEND WATCHING THIS VERSION AS BETTER AND ALSO STARS ROBERT SHAW IN LEAD ROLE.
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TAKING OF PELHAM 123

By a customer from Newcastle upon Tyne , 12 Jul 2010

JUST AS GOOD AS THE NEWER VERSION AND GOOD WATCH WITH GOOD STORY WORTH A WATCH BOTH OF THEM OR RENTING
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