Taking of Pelham One Two Three

For almost as long as people have been creating movies someone else is going to take that story or idea and attempt to put their own spin on it. It has been my experience based on several decades watching movies that while imitation may be the sincerest form of flattery it rarely manages to achieve the quality of the original. One recent example just happened to involve one of my all time favorite crime films; ‘Taking of Pelham One Two Three’. Of course I’m referring to the 1974 version not the ‘re-imagined rendition from 2010.while the original film did not have access to modern special effects or contain the high energy action sequences that buoyed the newer version it did have a certain charm to it especially if you happen to be a native New Yorker such as myself. Although the film was made with a contemporary setting the intervening 36 years has infused the work with a nostalgic quality that cannot be remotely approached but the more recent edition. The film takes place on the old IRT number six downtown local starting out from the 96^th street station, one I stood on twice a day for over seven years. This is the subway I remember with the vending machines offering candy, gum and soda on every platform and the large illuminated round analogue clocks although the ones shown in the film had to be from the special effects area; they displayed the correct time. It is these touches of realism that helps this version exceed the later attempt. Millions like me familiar with the NYC subways will feel right at home forming a special gut level association with the lamentable hostages. Even if you don’t hail from this great city or never rode a subway this movie remains one of the best constructed thrillers ever made. If is as gripping and exciting today as the first time I took my wife on the subway to see this in the Village.

The screenplay was based on the bestselling novel by John Godey. For once the script writer retained the spirit and tension of the book. Performing this laudable feat was Peter Stone who had experience in the completely unrelated field of Broadway musicals including ‘1776’ and ‘Sweet Charity’. Not only did the set designer and producers bring the look and feel of New York into the film Stone did an incredible job of using the distinctive New Yorker’s attitude as a character in the story. When the criminals first shout out their intentions the first reaction of the passengers is to laugh followed rapidly by mouthing off to the heavily armed men. This use of attitude is reinforced by the staff in the control room. One supervisor, ‘Fat’ Caz Dolowicz (Tom Pedi) cannot get past a single sentence without peppering it with a string of foul language. Adding to his frustration and helping to date the film his resentment of women on the job, a situation that was only permissible in the last few months. Directing was Joseph Sargent, who had a long and successful career both in film and television which include ‘Walt Disney’, ‘Star Trek’ and ‘The Man from U.N.CL.E.’. This versatility in genres shows in his directorial style here. The writing and direction combine seamlessly to create a film that is suspenseful, riveting and able to keep you on the edge of your seat. In this era of domestic terrorism the thought of a group of men with machine guns and the predilection to use them is frightening. Add to this a setting that inherently isolates the hapless hostages from any assistance and you get a commuter’s worse nightmare. We’ve all been stuck in a train, lights out, not moving and felt annoyed at the realization that we will be late for wherever we are going but this movie takes that fairly common place occurrence twisting into a deadly battle of wits between the criminals and the authorities with the passengers caught like helpless pawns. This actually would be a great setting for a gothic horror story; isolation, ticking clock and a sword of Damocles hanging over their heads.

This is such a great cast with every role featuring someone of proven talent. The disgruntled former motorman was played by veteran character actor Martin Balsam while his hot headed co-conspirator was portrayed by Hector Elizondo. Fans of the TV series might recognize the voice of the neighbor Wilson as Mr. Brown. While his face was never shown on the show it is fully visible here. The use of colors to hide the real names of the characters would be adapted by Quentin Tarantino in his seminal heist thriller ‘Reservoir Dogs’. One of the transit police officers is played by the famous comedian and father of Ben Stiller, Jerry Stiller. Of course the real treat is the interaction between the two main characters; mastermind Mr. Blue tightly played by Robert Shaw and the transit police supervisor, Lt. Zachary Garber, brilliantly portrayed by Walter Matthau. Normally when you think of Matthau comedies like ‘The Odd Couple’ or ‘Cactus Flower’ most likely come to mind but he was quite an accomplished dramatic actor more than able to hold a scene opposite the incredibly intense Shaw. A large part of the fun in watching this are the little humors touches that Matthau was able to infuse in the film. When you get down to it this film is entirely different from the remake. The 2010 variety was more of an action movie while this is a tense psychological thriller centered on a deadly cat and mouse game between two determined adversaries. The fact that they don’t come face to face until the conclusion demonstrates just how perfectly crafted this film is. It will remain a classic for a long time.

Posted 07/09/2010