The Taking of Pelham 123 is a lean 1974 New York City crime thriller directed by Joseph Sargent. When a subway car is hijacked and a ransom demand is issued, a cool-headed transit authority lieutenant, a determined dispatcher, and a wary city struggle to outwit the captors under a tight deadline. As the clock ticks, the film exposes the moral compromises, procedural tensions, and nerve-wracking negotiations that drive a tense, memorable hostage situation. Its brisk pace and smart dialogue keep tension high until the final payoff.
Is the movie Taking of Pelham 123 based on a true story?
"The Taking of Pelham 123" is not based on a true story, but it is inspired by a fictional novel of the same name written by John Godey, published in 1973. The story revolves around the hijacking of a New York City subway train and the tense negotiations that ensue between the hijackers and law enforcement. The film has been adapted multiple times, with notable versions released in 1974 and 2009, but the events depicted are entirely fictional.
Is Pelham 123 a good movie?
"The Taking of Pelham 123" is a 2009 action thriller directed by Tony Scott, starring Denzel Washington and John Travolta. It is a remake of the 1974 film of the same name. The film follows a subway train hijacking and the tense negotiations between a transit dispatcher and the hijacker. Critics generally praised the performances, particularly Washington's, and the film's pacing. While some viewers found it entertaining and suspenseful, others felt it didn't match the original's intensity. Overall, it's considered a solid action film, though opinions vary.
How many versions of THE TAKING OF PELHAM 123 are there?
There are two main film versions of "The Taking of Pelham 123." The original version was released in 1974, directed by Joseph Sargent, and is based on John Godey's novel about a subway train hijacking in New York City. The second version is a remake released in 2009, directed by Tony Scott and starring Denzel Washington and John Travolta. Additionally, there is a television adaptation that aired in 1998, but the 1974 and 2009 films are the most notable and widely recognized versions.
What happened at the end of THE TAKING OF PELHAM 123?
At the end of "The Taking of Pelham 123," police negotiator Walter Garber, played by Denzel Washington, successfully tricks the hijacker, Ryder, portrayed by John Travolta. Garber manages to stall Ryder while the police locate the train and prepare to apprehend him. Ultimately, Ryder is captured, but not without a dramatic confrontation. Garber's quick thinking and determination save the hostages, and he emerges as a hero, while the film concludes with a sense of closure and justice served.