TotalTelly.co.uk

Devoted to Popular, Cult and Retro TV

The Taking Of Pelham 123 [1974]


RRP: £12.99
Our Price: £4.98 (subject to change)

Editorial
Special Features

French\German\Italian\Spanish
English\German
English
Region 2
Mono English French German Italian Spanish
Mono
Original Theatrical Trailer
Interactive Menu
Chapter Selection
Danish\Dutch\English\French\German\Italian\Norwegian\Spanish\Swedish

Editorial
Synopsis

Four ruthless gunmen (played by Robert Shaw, Martin Balsam, Hector Elizondo, and Earl Hindman) take over a New York City subway and hold the passengers for ransom. They threaten to shoot one each minute until a million dollar ransom is fully paid. Walter Matthau portrays the transport cop determined to stop the criminals. The tense thriller is based on the book by John Godey.

Great 1970s Hijack film
Review date: 2008-08-31 Rating: 10 out of 10

The hijack story was prevalent in the 1970s but it was of course always planes. we now know that hi jacking planes can be a deadly activity with 9/11.

The imagination of writers is a thing to behold. The films starts with the incredulity of the train operators who laugh at the idea of someone trying to hijack a subway train.

As one characters say " Let them keep it we have plenty of them". The hijacking was easy enough and the story builds as it centres not on the hostages who we do not get to know as individuals.

No one was worked out how after they have got the money how they are going to escape. they are trapped in a tunnel and their every move is being monitored from above.

It is all about how the authorities react to the crisis.The gang themselves are all dressed in the same disguise and use the code names of colours as used by Tarantino in Reservoir Dogs.

The Walter Matthau character says the main hijack has a " Heavy British accent and must be a fruitcake". I am not sure the two are connected by Robert Shaw makes a menacing hijacker who you really believe will kill all the hostages if he does to get what he wants.

Usually with these thrillers you run out of interest as to how it is to get resolved but this one keeps up the tension . Your interest transfers as to how the hijackers are going to get away rather than how the hostages are going to survive.

The tension and unfolding plot keeps you riveted and you really want to know how it ends and the plot keeps going right up to the last second.

A great film and worthy of many viewings. It is up there with Day of the Jackal and Capricorn one. Highly recommended. They have a remake in production. It will be interesting to see even with today's filming skills they can make it better.
It is just a well written story with good characters and does not need special effects or CGI.

There is plenty of underlying humour and when one of the hijackers offers a quarter of a million dollar bribe Walter Matthau say" I am sorry my accountant say I should not accept any more receipts this fiscal quarter." Very funny.

Similar Products

Reviews


Top Class Thriller
Review date: 2008-05-14 Rating: 10 out of 10

I watched this movie again recently after a number of years and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Everything about the movie shines- the settings, script, performances and music. It rattles along at a fast pace. A lot happens in the less than 2 hours running time. Nowadays every "serious" film has to be at least 2 hours for some reason. To sell more popcorn perhaps?

Matthau is excellent as the deadpan Subway police chief who tries to make the best of a nightmare situation. Shaw excels as the ruthless mercneary who came up wih the plan. Supporting performances from Balsam etc are also top notch.

I think a native New Yorker would appreciate the film even more as it is full of typical NY dry wit. The scenes with the the panic stricken mayor are brilliantly funny and examples of the brilliant humour that run through the film.

Undoubtedly an underrated classic from the seventies opening theme music to the brilliant ending.

A real must-see thriller!
Review date: 2008-05-12 Rating: 8 out of 10

If you've not seen it, this is a film to take you by surprise, a true thriller - taut and simple. Taken from the novel of the previous year, it packs a punch where many in a similar vein (not least the remake) fail miserably.

Shaw's gang have a plan, the first component of which is to hijack a subway train, catching transport police unawares and leaving grizzled veteran Walter Matthau to do the spadework, guess the motives and anticipate what will happen next.

This is chessgame of a thriller, not unlike French Connection and Day of the Jackal in concept. You know, or at least suspect, that the baddies won't get away with their prize, but the suspense is ratcheted up gradually so every claustrophobic move in the game is totally riveting and played to a T by all members of the cast.

If in hindsight it looks a bit dated, we are talking about a film now 34 years old, but don't let that put you off. This is a must-see!

Udderrated Thriller with a Class Cast
Review date: 2008-05-08 Rating: 10 out of 10

The Taking of Pelham 123 is a standout 1970s thriller for several reasons: It was well acted, had a taut and funny script, and it was welL directed with a music score that was enjoyable in its own right like so many of the better pictures made in that era. If I have any complaint, it was that the opening sequence lacks a little pace and the hijackers seem lacksadaisical as they actually apprehend the train. But then that was the whole point. Pelham 1-2-3 isn't so much hijacked as "taken", much in fact as you would take candy from a baby, and only possible because no one saw it coming. After all, as the train master himself remarks, "What the hell would anyone want to hijack a godamn subway train for?" So total is everyone's disbelief that a station supervisor, in a fit of pique, marches petulantly down the track in a misguided attempt to resolve the matter. "Why don't you go grab a goddamn aeroplane like everybody else?" he demands to know as he reaches the scene of the crime. And that's where the action really takes off.

The lack of gimmicks and whizz bang special is a relief in this feature. You really don't miss them, the director having clearly opted for down to earth realism over cheap minute by minute thrills in a ticker tape profile depiction of fast-paced New York City life in the 70s that is at once credible, endearing and highly entertaining.

Pelham 123 is a perfect example of what a highly polished director and a highly competent cast can do to a very good script in an otherwise average story with low level special effects. Kudos to the director and to Matthau, Shaw and Balsam among several others who put in excellent acting performances.



The Taking Of Pelham 123
Review date: 2008-03-16 Rating: 10 out of 10

This film is without doubt a superb masterpiece of cinematic entertainment. From the outstanding acting and suspenseful soundtrack to the New York scenery and didactic lighting, Taking of Pelham 123 delivers a highly enjoyable cinematic experience.
The protagonists, in particular Matthau (Lieutenant Garber) and Shaw (Mr Blue) use their character agency and excellent acting skills to propel the narrative forward, creating a gripping story.
This film incorporates humour,suspense,action,nostalgia,tragedy and intrigue all in one.
I saw it for the first time about eight years ago on BBC1 late at night and remember really enjoying it, however they recently played it again on Channel 5 recently.
Although the DVD does not have any fancy "extras" apart from the original theatrical trailer, I would highly recommend everyone to buy this film.
Fantastic film 9/10!!

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Robert Shaw
Lee Wallace
Hector Elizondo
Walter Matthau
Martin Balsam

Creators:
Walter Matthau (Primary Contributor)
Lee Wallace (Primary Contributor)

Director(s):

Recording label: MGM Entertainment
Manufacturer: MGM Entertainment
EAN: 5050070007909
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: Dubbed, PAL,
Release date: 2002-04-29
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Audience rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 100 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1974
Language: Danish (Subtitled)
Language: Dutch (Subtitled)
Language: English (Subtitled)
Language: French (Subtitled)
Language: German (Subtitled)
Language: Italian (Subtitled)
Language: Norwegian (Subtitled)
Language: Spanish (Subtitled)
Language: Swedish (Subtitled)
Language: English (Original Language)
Language: French (Dubbed)
Language: German (Dubbed)
Language: Italian (Dubbed)
Language: Spanish (Dubbed)

Add to Cart

© 2006 Darren Hester, DesignsByDarren.com, Some Rights Reserved.
Valid XHTML 1.0 Transitional