“The Taking of Pelham One Two Three 1974” is a classic thriller about a subway hijacking. Four armed men wearing disguises take control of a subway train, demanding one million dollars in ransom money. The tension builds as time ticks away and the passengers’ lives hang in the balance. The film is a rollercoaster ride of suspense, featuring fantastic performances from its cast and a gripping soundtrack that keeps you on the edge of your seat. In short, it’s a nail-biting classic that will leave you breathless until the very end.
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Review
“The Taking of Pelham One Two Three”: An Orwellian Tale of Power Struggles and Social Injustice
The year is 1974, and New York City is in turmoil. Crime rates are skyrocketing, the economy is in shambles, and the people are fed up with their government. It’s the perfect setting for a gripping thriller that exposes the dark underbelly of society and questions the very nature of justice.
Enter “The Taking of Pelham One Two Three,” a film directed by Joseph Sargent that tells the story of a group of hijackers who take control of a subway train and demand a hefty ransom in exchange for the passengers’ lives. The tension builds as Lieutenant Zachary Garber (played by Walter Matthau), a Transit Authority police officer, races against time to save the hostages and catch the criminals.
As soon as we meet Garber, we get a sense that he is no ordinary cop. He’s an aging civil servant who’s seen it all and has grown disillusioned with his job. He cracks jokes at inappropriate moments, doesn’t take orders well from his superiors, and seems to have a keen sense of social injustice.
This is where George Orwell comes in. The author known for his dystopian novels like “1984” would have undoubtedly appreciated Garber’s perspective on society. Like Orwell’s protagonists, Garber understands that power corrupts those in charge, and justice is often just an illusion.
The hijackers, led by Mr. Blue (Robert Shaw), represent this corrupt power structure. They are cold-blooded criminals who care only about money and have no qualms about killing innocent people. Their demands are steep – $1 million within one hour – but they also understand that they have all the cards in this game.
The tension between Garber and Mr. Blue creates some of the most electric scenes in cinematic history. They exchange barbs over the radio, each trying to get the upper hand. Garber is the everyman who represents the oppressed masses, while Mr. Blue is the embodiment of greed and corruption.
The rest of the cast is equally compelling. Martin Balsam plays Mr. Green, an ex-convict who’s been drawn into the hijacking for financial gain. Hector Elizondo is Mr. Gray, a former mercenary who’s in it for the thrill of it all. And Earl Hindman is Mr. Brown, a trigger-happy maniac who’s ready to kill at a moment’s notice.
The ensemble acting in “The Taking of Pelham One Two Three” is masterful, with each performer bringing their character to life in a unique way. The chemistry between them feels authentic and adds to the film’s gritty realism.
Of course, no discussion of this movie would be complete without mentioning David Shire’s iconic score. The funky disco beats perfectly capture the mood of New York City in the ’70s – gritty, frenetic, and dangerous.
“The Taking of Pelham One Two Three” was a critical and commercial success upon its release and has since become a cult classic. It was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Film Editing and has inspired many imitators over the years.
The film was also notable for its use of real NYC locations and its realistic portrayal of city life. Sargent aimed to capture the essence of what it meant to live in New York during this tumultuous time period, warts and all.
Looking back now, “The Taking of Pelham One Two Three” still resonates with audiences because it speaks to universal themes – power struggles, social injustice, and our collective desire for justice in an unjust world. It also reminds us that great cinema can be both entertaining and thought-provoking at once.
In conclusion, George Orwell would have been proud to call “The Taking of Pelham One Two Three” his own. Its uncompromising look at power and society would have surely appealed to him, as would its sense of urgency and its exploration of the human psyche. It’s a film that stands the test of time and remains as relevant today as it did back then.
Technical Data
- Runtime : 104
- Release : 1974-10-02
- Genre : Crime, Action, Thriller
- Cast : Walter Matthau as Lt. Garber, Robert Shaw as Blue, Martin Balsam as Green, Hector Elizondo as Gray, Earl Hindman as Brown
- Crew : Gerald B. Greenberg as Editor, Vic Ramos as Extras Casting, Herbert F. Mulligan as Set Decoration, Alixe Gordin as Casting, David Ray as Assistant Sound Editor
- Popularity 10.344
- Budget : 0
- Revenue : 0
- Company : Palladium, Palomar Pictures International
- Summary : 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?
- Tagline : We are going to kill one passenger a minute until New York City pays us 1 million dollars.
