The Taking of Pelham One Two Three

Director: Joseph Sargent

1974 / 104min / 35mm

Lower East Side native and Metrograph favorite Walter Matthau wears perhaps the broadest tie in film history as a grousing Transit Authority lieutenant who gets an unlikely shot at heroism when a group of criminals take a downtown 6 train hostage and demand a million dollars from the flat-broke city. Engineered with perfect pace and verve by the underrated Sargent, with growly, jowly Matthau at his hangdog best.