IMDb > The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1974)
The Taking of Pelham One Two Three
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The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1974) More at IMDbPro »

Videos (see all 15)
The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1974) -- Movieplayer.it - Trailer (Flash)
The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1974) -- How long does it take to count one million dollars?
The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1974) -- Get out your pen and paper! Mr. Blue is ready to lay down his demands.
The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1974) -- Bang bang on the train.
The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1974) -- Mr. Grey is not fond of uninvited passengers.

Overview

User Rating:
7.7/10   9,199 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 45% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
John Godey (novel)
Peter Stone (screenplay)
Contact:
View company contact information for The Taking of Pelham One Two Three on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
14 November 1974 (West Germany) more
Genre:
Tagline:
Before this train reaches the next station it will become the scene of the most spectacular hijack ever attempted more
Plot:
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? full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
Nominated for BAFTA Film Award. Another 2 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(9 articles)
Weekend Report: Lush 'Hangover,' 'Up' Linger Over Typical 'Taking'
 (From BoxOfficeMojo.com. 15 June 2009, 1:23 PM, PDT)

Trainiac!
 (From New York Post. 12 June 2009, 8:35 AM, PDT)

User Comments:
The best heist film of all time!!! more (145 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Walter Matthau ... Lt. Zachary Garber
Robert Shaw ... Blue
Martin Balsam ... Green

Hector Elizondo ... Grey
Earl Hindman ... Brown
James Broderick ... Denny Doyle

Dick O'Neill ... Correll
Lee Wallace ... The Mayor
Tom Pedi ... Caz Dolowicz
Beatrice Winde ... Mrs. Jenkins

Jerry Stiller ... Lt. Rico Patrone
Nathan George ... Ptl. James
Rudy Bond ... Police Commissioner
Kenneth McMillan ... Borough Commander (as Kenneth Mc Millan)

Doris Roberts ... Mayor's Wife
more
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Additional Details

Also Known As:
El tomar de Pelham uno dos tres (USA: Spanish title) (dubbed version)
Pelham 1-2-3 (Europe: English title) (video box title)
The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 (USA) (alternative spelling)
more
Runtime:
104 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
West Germany:16 (f) | UK:AA (original rating) | Germany:16 (DVD rating) | Canada:14+ | Canada:18A (video rating) | Finland:K-16 | Norway:15 (re-rating) | Norway:16 (original rating) | Singapore:PG | Sweden:15 | UK:15 | USA:R

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The actor that played the role of Subway Guard was named Jim Pelham. more
Goofs:
Continuity: The first car of Pelham 1-2-3 as it enters 28th St. is car 7339. However, at Grand Central, 7339 is seen on the opposite track across the platform. On top of that, the first car in the tunnel after being cut from the rest of the train is car 7434. more
Quotes:
[first lines]
Mr. Mattson: Okay, kid, out loud now so's I can hear what you're sayin'.
Bud Carmody: I'm checkin' the passengers gettin' on and off...
Mr. Mattson: Uh-huh.
Bud Carmody: Front and back. Shuttin' the doors. Rear section first and the first section. And the doors are closed. Now I'm checking my indicator lights to make sure all the doors are locked. I remove my switch key and back out the window for a distance of three car lengths to make sure no one's being dragged. 51st Street next stop; next stop, 51st Street. How'd I do?
more
Movie Connections:

FAQ

How does the movie end?
Who are the hijackers?
Is "The Taking of Pelham" based on a book?
more
27 out of 30 people found the following comment useful.
The best heist film of all time!!!, 14 April 2001
10/10
Author: (coilinginsideyou@aol.com) from Las Vegas NV 89122

A group of heavily armed men, all wearing the same disguises board a subway train underneath the streets of New York. They quickly take over the train and hold seventeen passengers hostage. They look and talk like professionals. They use codenames. Their ransom demand is One Million Dollars. Are these just maniacs without a plan? And if they do have a plan, how are they all going to escape alive while the world watches?

Right away, this film grabs you and doesn't let go. Every character plays their role remakably and memorably. Enough suspense to keep you chewing your nails until they are stubs...and most of all, a realistic and engrossing storyline. You will literally be on the edge of your seat, wondering where the next plot twist will take you.

You can easily see where Quentin Tarantino borrowed ideas from this movie to make Reservoir Dogs...and in my opinion, this film makes Reservior Dogs look like a second rate film. Its truly a shame most people aren't familiar with this movie and it doesn't have the allure or big star power to draw in new fans seeking out a great film to watch

If you happen to run across The Taking Of Pelham One Two Three though, do not pass it up! This is honestly the best heist movie I've ever seen. 10 out of 10 Rating.

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1974)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Can I still watch this after seeing the remake? slapnutz777
One Million Dollars???? nsavage3-1
'Gesundheit' - question Marcus Laubner
*SPOILER* What Happens To The Other Two Hijakers? jbartelone
Reservoir Dogs namesakes clive-ihd
Best New York Crime Films? SoMoneyBaby
more

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