The Taking of Pelham One Two Three

Joseph Sargent directed this 1974 film based on the John Godey crime novel. Peter Stone--Charade and Sweet Charity--wrote the screenplay. Joseph Sargent is known for his TV film work.

Known more today for being one of the many films Quentin Tarrantino pays homage to in Reservoir Dogs--the hijackers are named after colors--than for its efficient dialogue and great editing, The Taking of Pelham One Two Three is a lot of fun.

A nameless and diverse cast of New Yorkers boo their Mayor and fuss about "broads" in the workplace. The characters are named, for example: The Maid, The Mother, The Homosexual, The Secretary, The Delivery Boy, the Salesman, among others. Yet, we do not know this from their presence in the narrative. This can make the credits, after spending an hour in the subway car with them, a very odd experience. We get their titles, generic at best, rather than their names. We might very well want to see them again and attempt to guess who is who. And then we might want to consider why we'd want to do such a thing.

The pacing and dialogue, the characters and their ticks, all are very New York. The narrative is populated with working class heroes--men and women. The honesty and care even the most minor characters are extended makes the film memorable and offers new insights with further screenings.

Walter Matthau, as a transit cop, offers a patient and humorous performance. Robert Shaw, as Mr. Blue, offers a stern, studied, almost quiet performance, that recalls other of his best roles like the Spectre assassin in From Russia with Love. Hector Elizondo's, Mr. Grey, is a real pig. And, if you're like me, you almost hope that Martin Balsam absconds with his cut of the loot. Almost.