The Taking of Pelham One Two Three

Director: Joseph Sargent

1974 / 104min / 35mm

Lower East Side native 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.

“Featuring one of the grittiest New Yorkers ever seen on film: the ruddy-cheeked wino who, despite the commotion on her hijacked 6 train, sleeps through the entire ordeal.” —Series curator Genevieve Yue

Distributor: Park Circus

Introduction by Genevieve Yue and Erika Balsom, with a book signing following the screening, on Saturday, October 3rd

Part of Trains: Local Routes