Back to trending
The Taking of Pelham One Two Three

The Taking of Pelham One Two Three

Crime · Thriller · Action · 1974

In New York, armed men hijack a subway car and demand a ransom for the passengers while the authorities question about the method of their escape.

Movie details

The Taking of Pelham One Two Three

“We are going to kill one passenger a minute until New York City pays us 1 million dollars.”

1974 Crime · Thriller · Action 1h 45m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

7.5 / 10

Community rating

In New York, armed men hijack a subway car and demand a ransom for the passengers while the authorities question about the method of their escape.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over The Taking of Pelham One Two Three?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

Escape from New York

Escape from New York

Action · 1981

In a world ravaged by crime, the entire island of Manhattan has been converted into a walled prison where brutal prisoners roam free. After the US president crash-lands inside, war hero Snake Plissken has 24 hours to bring him back.

Play Dirty

Play Dirty

Crime · 2025

Expert thief Parker gets a shot at a major heist, but to pull it off he and his team must outsmart a South American dictator, the New York mob, and the world's richest man.

High Rollers

High Rollers

Action · 2025

A master thief must pull off a dangerous casino heist when his nemesis kidnaps his lover. Caught between rival criminals and FBI pursuit, he risks all to save her and score big.

Inside Man: Most Wanted

Inside Man: Most Wanted

Action · 2019

An NYPD hostage negotiator teams up with a federal agent to rescue dozens of tourists held hostage during a 10-hour seige at the U.S. Federal Reserve.

Hostage

Hostage

Action · 2005

When a mafia accountant is taken hostage on his beat, a police officer – wracked by guilt from a prior stint as a negotiator – must negotiate the standoff, even as his own family is held captive by the mob.

The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3

The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3

Crime · 2009

Armed men hijack a New York City subway train, holding the passengers hostage in return for a ransom, and turning an ordinary day's work for dispatcher Walter Garber into a face-off with the mastermind behind the crime.

The Fate of the Furious

The Fate of the Furious

Action · 2017

When a mysterious woman seduces Dom into the world of crime and a betrayal of those closest to him, the crew face trials that will test them as never before.

Get Fast

Get Fast

Action · 2024

When The Thief’s partner is kidnapped after stealing millions in cash from a merciless drug lord named Nushi, he reluctantly teams up with an angst-ridden orphan to rescue him. Nushi enlists her most trusted hitman, The Cowboy, a lovable charmer who’s quick with his guns, to track down the Thief. Guns, cars, and explosions will give the newfound partners a head start, but how long will they be able to keep it up?

Rampage: Capital Punishment

Rampage: Capital Punishment

Action · 2014

A man takes over a TV station and holds a number of hostages as a political platform to awaken humanity, instead of money.

The Last Stand

The Last Stand

Action · 2013

Ray Owens is sheriff of the quiet US border town of Sommerton Junction after leaving the LAPD following a bungled operation. Following his escape from the FBI, a notorious drug baron, his gang, and a hostage are heading toward Sommerton Junction where the police are preparing to make a last stand to intercept them before they cross the border. Owens is reluctant to become involved but ultimately joins in with the law enforcement efforts.

Where it lives

Watch in your region.

Cinema release signals and current streaming, rental, and purchase options for your region.

Streaming availability data supplied by JustWatch.

Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

Joseph Sargent

Written by

Peter Stone

Walter Matthau

Walter Matthau

Lieutenant Garber

Robert Shaw

Robert Shaw

Blue

Martin Balsam

Martin Balsam

Green

Héctor Elizondo

Héctor Elizondo

Grey

Earl Hindman

Earl Hindman

Brown

James Broderick

James Broderick

Denny Doyle

Dick O'Neill

Dick O'Neill

Correll

Court is in session

Put The Taking of Pelham One Two Three on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Adrenaline Seeker

“Momentum is a formal choice.”

The velocity sharpens instinct and tension, making every beat land before self-importance can settle in.

The prosecution The Auteur Devotee

“Speed as an alibi.”

The film races past its weak spots and hopes acceleration will keep the audience from inspecting the evidence.