Film Review: The Taking of Pelham 123

Director: Tony Scott

Based on the book of the same name written by Morton Freedgood (who was writing under a pseudonym at the time, John Godey) in 1973. A film adaptation was made in 1974 that was reasonably popular but made the decision to change the names of the hijackers to colour code names (the first known film to do so, even before Reservoir Dogs). This adaptation stuck to the original names in the book.

The story revolves around a group of 4 men who hijack a subway train in Manhattan which is the 1:23pm train from Pelham Bay Park Station. The men are led by Ryder (John Travolta in full goatee mode) and have a former Subway train operative who can move the train for them, their intention is to hold the passengers hostage in between two stations as they demand $10million in cash to be delivered within an hour or they start killing hostages. They speak to an employee at the Rail Control Center called Walter Garber (Denzel Washington) who initially wants to know what has happened to the train but is then in charge of communication with the vehicle. The tension reaches fever pitch as the major of New York (James Gandolfini) has to decide whether to pay the ransom or not as they wonder how the men will escape.

Ryder (John Travolta) threatens the motorcar man

The original book is a thrilling tension filled ride and a lot of this is well captured within the movie, Travolta is capable as the cool calm baddy whilst Denzel is excellent as the honest MTA employee with a troubled past. The conversation between the pair over the radio is quick witted and entertaining despite the pair never actually meeting.

The film obviously has been updated to include the use of gadgets and computers to aid the police as they try to work-out a plan to halt the hijackers. The book has many references to the racism around at the time in 1970’s New York; it was a well tackled story which was left out of the film possibly because it is less relevant today. The original film was a huge success as well in 1974 so it does beg the question as to why this movie was remade?

If you have never read the book then I would recommend reading that first before trying this movie so you can compare it to the original text.

2/4 reasonably entertaining movie but lacks the depth of the original book and movie.