The Taking of Pelham One Two Three

Name: The Taking of Pelham One Two Three
Director: Joseph Sargent
Genre: Crime, Thriller, Action
Released: 1974-01-01
Duration: 104 min
Rating: 7.5
Cast: Walter Matthau, Robert Shaw, Martin Balsam, Héctor Elizondo, Earl Hindman

1974Dir. Joseph Sargent1h 44m

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Runtime1h 44m

Released1974

DirectorJoseph Sargent

About This Movie

The Taking of Pelham One Two Three is a gritty ride through 1970s New York, blending action with a taut thriller vibe. You can really feel the pulse of the city in its atmosphere—dark, urgent, and a bit claustrophobic, especially within that subway car. Joseph Sargent crafts a tense narrative that balances the hijackers' desperation with the frantic efforts of law enforcement. The pacing's deliberate yet builds to an intense payoff. Walter Matthau's dry humor as Lt. Garber offsets the tension beautifully, and Robert Shaw delivers a chilling performance. What stands out, though, is the practical effects—no CGI here, just raw filmmaking that draws you in. It's a film that captures that era's grittiness without glamorizing it.

Strong performances, especially Matthau and Shaw.Unique setting in NYC subway adds tension.Practical effects enhance the realism.