The Taking of Pelham One Two Three is a thriller about a group of armed men who hijack a New York City subway train and hold the passengers hostage for a $1 million ransom.
This superbly acted and directed film is a real time capsule of early 1970s New York. With the always busy streets, packed subways and someone who is always in a hurry.
Four armed men (Robert Shaw, Martin Balsam, Hector Elizondo, and Earl Hindman) are given coded colour names to hide their identity, such as Mr Grey, Mr Blue, etc, something Quentin Tarantino did years later with Reservoir Dogs.
The leader of the gang, played by Robert Shaw, is cold, cool, but not afraid to use force when needed. His banter with the Transit Authority lieutenant, played by Walter Matthau, is excellently played by both actors, adding to the slow build-up of tension as the story progresses.
The other gang members all have their quirks. One has a bad cold, which is important to the plot; once you have seen the film, one of the others is a hotshot and racist ex gangster who puts all the others at risk with his unpredictable behaviour.
The hostages are a real cross-section of New Yorkers that includes a hippie, a businessman, two bratty kids and their mother, a white hooker, a black pimp, a Latina who doesn’t speak English, a crotchety old man who finds the whole thing a bad inconvenience, and a drunk who sleeps through the entire ordeal.
The Taking of Pelham One Two Three is one of the best heist thrillers ever put on film, with a gripping plot, great performances, and a fantastic music score by David Shire.
Arrow have released the film onto 4K UHD and Blu-ray in a special edition package. The 4K restoration is magnificent, even though a lot of the film takes place in a dark subway, the detail and clarity are top notch.
Image stability is excellent, colours spot on, and the grain is always present, giving it a great filmic look.
Audio has two standard audio tracks on this release: English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 and English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1. Both are good, but I always prefer the original mono 2.0.
Extras are as usual for Arrow, excellent and include –
Audio commentary by film historians Steve Mitchell and Nathaniel Thompson
Audio commentary by actor/filmmaker Pat Healy and film programmer/historian Jim Healy
The Mapping of Pelham One Two Three – brand new “then and now” tour of the film’s locations by critic Bryan Reesman, featuring Jodi Shapiro, curator of the New York Transit Museum
Central to Pelham One Two Three – brand new filmed appreciation by Barry Forshaw, author of American Noir
12 Minutes with Mr. Grey and Shades of Grey – two interviews with actor Hector Elizondo
Cutting on Action – 2016 interview with editor Gerald B. Greenberg
The Sound of the City – 2016 interview with composer David Shire
Above and Below – 2018 interview with director of photography Owen Roizman
Taking the Ride – 2018 featurette exploring the film’s New York City locations
The Making of Pelham One Two Three – vintage production featurette from the point of view of real-life New York City transit policeman Carmine Foresta
Theatrical trailer
TV spot
Radio spots
Image and poster gallery
Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Sam Hadley
Collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the film by Priscilla Page, Glenn Kenny, Mark Cunliffe and Guy Adams.
A classic of its era, this is a must buy for any fans of 70s thrillers.
This limited edition is available on 4KUHD and Blu Ray.
FILM -9 PICTURE – 9 AUDIO – 8 EXTRAS – 9
