Sick Product of a Sick System

Sadly Over-hyped

One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

Great story, amazing characters, superb action, enthralling cinematography. Yes, this is something I am glad I spent money on.

Subways are subways. Nothing much changed in decades. In this story a New York City subway gets stolen and the passengers are taken hostage only to be released for 1 million dollars in ransom demand. How will they get away with it?This classic hostage flick goes back to the seventies, 1974 to be exact. Sound quality is MONO. Does everybody still even know what that means? One channel sound, when today there are 7 or more. Besides this the photography isnt grandiose either. It really has got that typical cheap early seventies feel to it, the period however Quentin Tarantino was so found of and is now going back to with his new movie. And for good reason, because in this period a lot of classics were born. And "The Taking of Pelham 123" is one of them. Although it certainly is no masterpiece. It is just a good hostage movie with excellent acting by Walter Matthau and Robert Shaw.You can also choose for the modern remake of this movie with Denzel Washington and John Travolta. I tried that myself but got bored with it within minutes. Maybe kids would love the modern version better, but if you are more of a cinephile then the seventies version is the more popular one that gets the highest ratings.Seen it many times now and besides some cheap effects and poor sound quality it is still a movie I go back to every year or so. I just love the New York cussing and complaining in it,I love the dirty New York strreets and subway and I really dig the great seventies soundtrack however bad it technically may sound in MONO lol...

Up there at the top of what makes this a really good thriller is the cast. Plenty of familiar faces - in supporting roles - meat and potatoes seasoned actors that breathe gritty New York life into even bit parts. And that's just the minor roles. Robert Shaw's on screen presence is unmatched. Martin Balsam always brings a lived-in realism to his roles...almost comforting - even as a bad guy. A youthful Hector Elizondo, is a cocky thug you just know is going to mess up ... Walter Matthau, what is there to say but stellar as always as the Transit Authority Lt. running the show. The perfect counterpoint to Shaw and everyone else. The hostages a bit shrill - the film gives us nothing personal about them. Lots of screaming is the only device that makes us sympathize with their terror.Funny script - throw away lines. And very little in the script to make you think oh groan, that wouldn't happen or that couldn't happen or how stupid that was. Airtight logic...nice turn in the last frame with an inimitable Matthau glance. A few of the greats can say with one look that it takes most everyone else a whole page of dialogue to communicate.In summary this is economical no frills "just tell the d*mn story" film-making in the mold of Don Siegel - Eastwood of the last 20 years and Sidney Lumet throughout his career. Ultimately the word to describe 1-2-3 is satisfying. You come away feeling satisfied - you have been entertained!

Joseph Sargent was a well respected director of mostly television, but he also helmed a number of feature films over the years. This may very well be his best. (I won't hold "Jaws: The Revenge" against him.) It's a masterfully directed, well plotted crime thriller, and one of the finest of that genre to come out of NYC in the 1970s. It doesn't boast wall to wall action, instead focusing on telling an actual story, but when the action scenes do take place, they're utterly gripping and nail biting. Best of all, the movie does have a good sense of humor, paying itself off in a couple of ways.Robert Shaw, Martin Balsam, Hector Elizondo, and Earl Hindman play a quartet of ruthless men who hijack an NYC subway train and hold almost 20 passengers hostage. Their demand? One million dollars in cash (back then, it would have been a lot of money), to be delivered in ONE HOUR. Otherwise, the passengers start getting executed. Intrepid Transit Authority lawman Zachary Garber (Walter Matthau) is the calm, level headed Everyman hero who tries to appease the bad guys while ensuring the hostages come out of the situation unscathed.Sargent and his top notch filmmaking team (including such luminaries as cinematographer Owen Roizman and editor Jerry Greenberg) craft a well paced bit of entertainment, enhanced by a dynamic and forceful music score by David Shire. There are some fun quips among the dialogue, and the performances are all right on the money. There's no scenery chewing here - even loose cannon Mr. Grey (Elizondo) is fairly low key while causing an overt amount of trouble for his co-conspirators. Shaw is a smooth villain, while Matthau is as amiable as he's ever been. In addition, there's a steady parade of stars and familiar character actors filling out a great many roles: James Broderick, Dick O'Neill, Lee Wallace, Tom Pedi, Beatrice Winde, Jerry Stiller, Nathan George, Kenneth McMillan, Doris Roberts, Julius Harris, Alex Colon, Michael Gorrin, Christopher Murney, Sal Viscuso, Bill Cobbs, Joe Seneca, and Tony Roberts. Most impressive!"The Taking of Pelham One Two Three" is a truly great thriller, one that reels you in early on and scarcely takes a breath until its satisfying, blatantly humorous denouement.Remade for TV in 1998, and for theaters in 2009.10 out of 10.

How did these 3 misfits first meet to plan such a dastardly action? I just kept wondering about that as I continued to watch this engrossing film regarding terror on the subways.A New Yorker can really identify with some of the characters here- foul mouthed, crass, abusive, but all working together for the common good of trying to save the 18 hostages, innocent victims, all of whom happened to be in the wrong train at the wrong time.Robert Shaw is a standout in a cold-chilling performance as an indifferent conspirator, who shows no regard for human life yet alone decency. Marty Balsam is the former MTA motorman angered over his dismissal and the third culprit, Hector Elizondo, is literally along for the ride, only to be victimized by the vicious Shaw character.A totally realistic view of New York with a mayor concerned with sagging poll numbers and how this event can affect that. Doris Roberts has little to do in the role of his wife.Walter Matthau is the hero transit officer official, who can be common but has the brains to ultimately outwit the culprits.A memorable film showing the darker side of New York City.