MOVIE REVIEW
The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (50th Anniversary Special Edition) (Blu-ray)
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Genre: Action, Crime, Thriller
Year Released: 1974, 2024 Kino Lorber Blu-ray
Runtime: 1h 44m
Director(s): Joseph Sargent
Writer(s): John Godey, Peter Stone
Cast: Walter Matthau, Robert Shaw, Hector Elizondo, Martin Balsam, Earl Hindman, Tony Roberts, Jerry Stiller, Doris Roberts, James Broderick, Dick O'Neill, Lee Wallace, Kenneth McMillan
Where To Watch: available now, order your copy here: www.kinolorber.com or www.amazon.com

RAVING REVIEW: Strap in for a ride through the gritty underworld of 1970s New York City with THE TAKING OF PELHAM ONE TWO THREE, a film that wraps high-stakes drama in a cloak of urban complexness. Directed by Joseph Sargent, this cinematic gem slices through the city's layers with a narrative as taut as the subway's screeching brakes.

From the opening scene, tension crackles as four figures—Mr. Blue (Robert Shaw,) Mr. Green (Martin Balsam,) Mr. Grey (Hector Elizondo,) and Mr. Brown (Earl Hindman)—each distinct yet uniformly foreboding, board a subway train at various stations. Their synchronized entry, clad in disguises and wielding weapons, sets the stage for a riveting hostage crisis that puts lives in peril. The kidnappers' demand for a million-dollar ransom sets a countdown that thrusts NYPD Transit Lieutenant Zachary Garber (Walter Matthau) into a pulse-pounding race against time.

But THE TAKING OF PELHAM ONE TWO THREE is more than a mere hostage thriller; it's a deep dive into the bureaucratic maze of New York City. The film exposes the city’s administrative chaos, where sluggish departmental responses mirror the societal upheavals of the time. This isn't just a plot device; it's a critical and authentic examination of a metropolis grappling with its burgeoning chaos.

Matthau as Lt. Garber is at the film's heart, whose performance captures the York’s rugged spirit. Matthau mixes biting wit with a stoic calmness, crafting a character who becomes the audience’s anchor amidst the unfolding turmoil. Shaw provides a chilling contrast as the cold and calculating Mr. Blue; his British accent intensifies the charm. The diverse ensemble cast—from the nerve-wracked passengers to the city officials—brings depth to the story, painting a portrait of a city’s populace pushed to the edge.

The film's authenticity is bolstered by its on-location shooting. The streets and subways of New York don’t just serve as a backdrop but become a character in their way. Employing a quasi-documentary style, Sargent captures the claustrophobic tension aboard the hijacked train and the frantic pace of the command center, immersing the audience in the nerve-wracking crisis.

David Shire’s score enhances this immersive experience. Cadences echo the escalating stakes, heightening the tension and harmonizing with the film’s pacing. The score exemplifies the innovative film scoring techniques of the era.

THE TAKING OF PELHAM ONE TWO THREE's influence resonates beyond its release, impacting the film industry by inspiring future filmmakers with its character-driven narrative. While a 2009 remake attempted to recapture this magic, Sargent's 1974 original is the definitive depiction of a New York defined as much by its adversity as by its indomitable resilience.

This film does more than navigate the well-trodden paths of its genre. It is a time capsule, a snapshot of a raw and vibrant 1970s New York, alive with complexity and challenges. With meticulous attention to character and setting, THE TAKING OF PELHAM ONE TWO THREE remains a cinematic must see, continuing to captivate audiences with its compelling story and insightful urban critique.

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[photo courtesy of KINO LORBER]

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