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The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1974)

R 104 min  -  Crime | Drama | Thriller  -   14 November 1974 (West Germany)
7.7
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Ratings: 7.7/10 from 13,023 users   Metascore: 68/100 
Reviews: 154 user | 57 critic | 4 from Metacritic.com

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?

Director:

Joseph Sargent

Writers:

John Godey (novel), Peter Stone (screenplay)
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Nominated for BAFTA Film Award. Another 2 nominations See more awards »

Related Videos

The Taking of Pelham One Two Three -- How long does it take to count one million dollars? The Taking of Pelham One Two Three -- Get out your pen and paper! Mr. Blue is ready to lay down his demands. The Taking of Pelham One Two Three -- Bang bang on the train.
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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Walter Matthau ...
Police Lt. Zachary Garber
Robert Shaw ...
Bernard Grier aka Blue
Martin Balsam Martin Balsam ...
Harold Longman aka Green
Hector Elizondo ...
Giuseppe Benvenuto aka Grey
Earl Hindman Earl Hindman ...
George Steever aka Brown
James Broderick James Broderick ...
Dick O'Neill ...
Lee Wallace Lee Wallace ...
Al - the Mayor of New York City
Tom Pedi Tom Pedi ...
Beatrice Winde Beatrice Winde ...
Mrs. Jenkins
Jerry Stiller ...
Police Lt. Rico Patrone
Nathan George Nathan George ...
Police Ptl. James
Rudy Bond Rudy Bond ...
Phil - Police Commissioner
Kenneth McMillan Kenneth McMillan ...
Harry - Borough Commander (as Kenneth Mc Millan)
Doris Roberts ...
Jessie - the Mayor's Wife
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Storyline

Four armed men hijack a New York City subway train and demand 1 million dollars - which must be delivered in 1 hour - for the train and the lives of the passengers held hostage. Lt. Zachary Garber of the New York City Transit Police must contend with City Hall red tape, the unrelenting demands of the hijackers, and the ever-ticking clock in his efforts to save the passengers and bring the hijackers to justice. Written by Joe Tomasone <jtomason@li.net>  

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

Passenger | Subway | Hostage | Train | Demands  | See more »

Taglines:

Before this train reaches the next station it will become the scene of the most spectacular hijack ever attempted See more »

Genres:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Spanish

Release Date:

(West Germany) See more »

Also Known As:

El tomar de Pelham uno dos tres See more »

Box Office

Gross:

SEK 1,003,937 (Sweden)
See more »

Company Credits

Show detailed company contact information on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1
See full technical specs »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Filming of the subway scenes began in late November 1973 and lasted through January 1974. Though the scenes were filmed on a track that had been out of use since the 1940s, they were close enough to the still functioning A and E lines that takes had to be done in between those trains coming through (to and from Hoyt-Schermerhorn station) because of their noise and lights. See more »

Goofs

Continuity: When Mr. Green first enters 59th street station, an R16 NYC Subway car is seen leaving with the designations of a 6 train (2:16). Seconds later, Green then goes downstairs to catch an R22 train that is also a 6 train (2:45). See 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?
See more »

Crazy Credits

Although many of the scenes in this film were taken on transit property, the
New York City Transit Authority is not responsible for plot, story and
characters portrayed. The Authority did not render technical advice and
assistance. See more »

Connections

Referenced in The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 (2009) See more »