My Thoughts on the Film, The Taking of Pelham 123 (1974), 3/8/2026…

Gesundheit!

One of the most admirable aspects of The Taking of Pelham 123 (1974) is its realism. The settings, the art direction, the plot, the performances, the dialogue all contribute to a tale that is gritty and believable. Said realism evokes from the audience the emotions it aspires to illustrate. The plot also effectively unfolds in real time, or somewhere damn close to it.

Based on the novel by John Godey, TTOP123 narrates the tale of four organized criminals, spearheaded by Blue—Robert Shaw (Jaws), delivering a gripping performance. They hijack a NYC subway car filled with passengers and demand $1 million. Transit Authority Lieutenant Zachary Garber, portrayed by the ever-reliable Walter Matthau (The Odd Couple), consistently—and literally—trails the thieves until he ultimately devises a strategy that brings him closer to a lawful resolution.

The plot of TTOP123 pulls no punches; this is not a Hollywood movie. Under Joseph Sargent’s (Jaws) deft direction, the moments are taut and visceral. Granted, many of the films of this era gravitate more towards realism than popcorn plotlines. People die, and you feel each death. You also feel the physics of a speeding subway train through curves and emergency stops. The real-time delivery of the events in this story also upholds its anti-Hollywood formula.

I highly recommend watching this film.