Taking Of Pelham 123 The DVD

I first saw this excellent film on release way back in the early '70s, the main draw being (for what was then) a stellar cast and a promising cinematic experience. I can't remember what classification it was but it was certainly either an 'A' or 'AA', both of which required me to gain entry to the cinema under 'false pretences' due to my 'deficient' age - cough, cough ! I did at least see it with my parents and we all enjoyed it thoroughly - this DVD presentation, whilst not the pinnacle of video/audio presentation, is perfectly adequate to repeat that experience many, many times - since it is such an enjoyable watch.The plot outline is very simple: a gang of very well-organised and (mostly) ruthless criminals hijack a New York city subway train (the name of which provides the title to the film) and demand a $1 million ransom for the safe return of the passengers they take hostage. What follows is the story of how things develop, from an external viewpoint, for all the 'players' ie the hijackers, the subway police, the city police and the NY mayor+staff (who, if required, will be responsible for paying the ransom).Things progress cinematically at a thoroughly engrossing, almost breakneck pace, supported by a prominent and extremely rousing 'big-band' style musical soundtrack.The truly memorable aspect of the film however is the presence of Walter Matthau in a lead role as the main subway policeman dealing with the hijackers; the film really centres around him, despite the hijacking obviously being the foundation of the plot. As excepted, he shines in his part, with his essentially 'comic' acting background transforming what would otherwise be a slick and violent crime thriller into something quite unusual: a film of that genre with humour 'laced' throughout the running time.It's not just his delivery that enables this to happen of course, the script provides him with the necessary 'tools' along with the notable comic presence of the mayor being a 'buffoon' character AND the supporting actor role of Matthau's 'sidekick' being played by the renowned comedian Jerry Stiller (yes, the man who played the father of George Costanza in the classic comedy serial 'Seinfeld' and is the real-life father of Ben Stiller). The film is serious, so the comedy 'interludes' are delivered also deadpan-style so you usually have to listen/watch properly attentively to catch the 'jokes'. Matthau is allowed to divert attention from the plot with comedic scenes involving misunderstanding the linguistic capabilities of some foreign visitors, incorrectly assuming the race of a police chief with the resultant pathetic attempt at trying to explain himself out of his embarrassment and a blink-and-you'll-miss-it comment made to another police officer who he incorrectly deduces the gender of. It's not just the way he delivers the lines but also the faces he pulls - making full use of his renowned bulbous/oversized nose and ability purse his lips in amusing ways....One element of humour (and his nose, again) you won't miss though is at the VERY end, which I obviously won't reveal but ranks among my most favourite for a classic visual/verbal/one-liner 'finale' alongside that from the film 'The Howling'; except this one is that little bit better, as it is not only hilarious but also provides a suitable clue to the ultimate ending of the story - nuff said, enjoy....!Aside from what were for the time some often quite graphic/ruthless violence scenes, you should be warned that the film is also notable for having quite a lot of 'fruity' language; all these aspects explain the viewing classification which even now means the DVD is a '15'.As others have mentioned, another cinematic 'credit' for the film is the undoubted influence it had for later movies, such as 'Reservoir Dogs', by virtue of the criminals in this film referring to each with the names of primary colours to avoid revealing their true identity.What I can add to that observation is that if you look at the film credits properly you'll notice that almost all the others characters, especially the hostages (who by this time you'll have realise hardly feature in the film and we know virtually nothing about), are annotated purely by their social 'classification'.These 2 other notable aspects of the film provoked it to be used as a 'study' subject by my English teacher when I was at school !This film is in my opinion essential adult viewing. What baffles me is that it is so good that the remake of it which was released recently is surely unnecessary as this 'original' cannot be bettered.So I recommend that you watch this fantastic '70s crime thriller, enjoy (what will initially be) the unexpected comedic interludes and ignore the remake !

The Taking of Pelham 123 is a standout 1970s thriller for several reasons: It was well acted, had a taut and funny script, and it was welL directed with a music score that was enjoyable in its own right like so many of the better pictures made in that era. If I have any complaint, it was that the opening sequence lacks a little pace and the hijackers seem lacksadaisical as they actually apprehend the train. But then that was the whole point. Pelham 1-2-3 isn't so much hijacked as "taken", much in fact as you would take candy from a baby, and only possible because no one saw it coming. After all, as the train master himself remarks, "What the hell would anyone want to hijack a godamn subway train for?" So total is everyone's disbelief that a station supervisor, in a fit of pique, marches petulantly down the track in a misguided attempt to resolve the matter. "Why don't you go grab a goddamn aeroplane like everybody else?" he demands to know as he reaches the scene of the crime. And that's where the action really takes off.The lack of gimmicks and whizz bang special is a relief in this feature. You really don't miss them, the director having clearly opted for down to earth realism over cheap minute by minute thrills in a ticker tape profile depiction of fast-paced New York City life in the 70s that is at once credible, endearing and highly entertaining.Pelham 123 is a perfect example of what a highly polished director and a highly competent cast can do to a very good script in an otherwise average story with low level special effects. Kudos to the director and to Matthau, Shaw and Balsam among several others who put in excellent acting performances.

Great Amazon delivery. This movie is so funny great action suspense movie until the end. The ending is so unique.

If you've not seen it, this is a film to take you by surprise, a true thriller - taut and simple. Taken from the novel of the previous year, it packs a punch where many in a similar vein (not least the remake) fail miserably.Shaw's gang have a plan, the first component of which is to hijack a subway train, catching transport police unawares and leaving grizzled veteran Walter Matthau to do the spadework, guess the motives and anticipate what will happen next.This is chessgame of a thriller, not unlike French Connection and Day of the Jackal in concept. You know, or at least suspect, that the baddies won't get away with their prize, but the suspense is ratcheted up gradually so every claustrophobic move in the game is totally riveting and played to a T by all members of the cast.If in hindsight it looks a bit dated, we are talking about a film now 34 years old, but don't let that put you off. This is a must-see!

A great 1970s film -forget the remake this is the one to watch.

It doesn't work, I am in England and the DVD is only for abroad. When I try to play the DVD, the words 'Wrong Region' comes up. I can't play it

I rented it on prime before I bought it. Why? Because I watched it four times in the 48 hours I rented it and that wasn't enough. I don't know how many times I watched it over the last two months but I might just put it on now!

After wrestling the cellophane off, inside the case was 'Rowan Atkinson in Concert'.Imagine my disappointment.

If you haven't already seen this film, buy it--one of the great, gritty films of the 1970s! I sincerely wish that AMAZON.CA would carry the entire Kino Lorber Classics catalog in Canada, which would save me ordering from the unreliable amateurs at unobstructed view.

Película original, que en su día había visto en el cine. Entretenida y que mantiene el suspense hasta el final.

One of the best action, heist thrillers of the early 70's, and far superior to the 2009 remake with John Travolta & Denzel Washington.The picture quality on the Kino Lorber UHD 4k is outstanding.Note: like all Kino Lorber blu-rays, the blu-ray that is included is Region A locked.

Excellent divertissement mêlant humour et suspense.Bien supérieur au remake avec Travolta.Avec aussi une des meilleurs fins de l'histoire du cinéma.

A REGULAR CRIME DRAMA. BUT THE DIFFERENCE IS IN THE ENDING OF THE FILM WHICH, IN MY OPINION, VERY WELL CONCEIVED, PERFORMED AND PRESENTED. I CALL THIS AN ABSTRACT ENDING SINCE THE FILM'S ENDING DOES NOT CONCLUDE THE STORY.THIS IS SIMILAR TO THE ENDING OF THE FILM " THE ITALIAN JOB " STARRING MICHEAL CAIN.STILL A LOVABLE FILM TO WATCH.HEMANT TATTU