The Film
Hollywood just loves a remake. Some films should never be remade (Slap Shot, Arthur); either because they were too awful the first time, or because you should not mess with perfection. Ridley Scott remade The Taking of Pelham One Two Three in 2009, and while it wasn't awful (just ridiculously stupid and loud), it lacked genuine tension and relied too heavily on special effects. Not even Denzel Washington and John Travolta could make it interesting for more than forty-five minutes; which can not be said about the original starring Walther Matthau and Robert Shaw which was riveting from the opening sequence to the last scene in Martin Balsam's apartment. The original version is the subject of our review here.
Quentin Tarantino was clearly impressed with this 1970s hostage drama aboard a MTA subway train, because he borrowed the character naming idea (Mr. Blue, Mr. Brown) for Reservoir Dogs. Walter Matthau (Lt. Zach Garber) and Robert Shaw (Mr. Blue) don't confront one another until the very end but their back-and-forth conversation as the drama unfolds certainly holds your attention. The supporting cast which features Jerry Stiller (Lt. Rico Patrone), Martin Balsam (Mr. Green), and a psychotic Hector Elizondo (Mr. Grey) are equally as good.
The film captures New York City at a time when it was teetering on the edge of insolvency and decay and between the bumbling mayor and bumbling personnel at the MTA, it is hard to decide which one to dislike more. A taut story with perhaps too much violence for young kids to absorb, but still good after all of these years.
The Picture
Black levels are actually quite strong throughout with above average levels of detail being visible and considering the poor lighting conditions in the tunnel sequences, that's quite commendable. The Blu-ray transfer is darker looking than the DVD release (which looks awful) but the color saturation is far superior; drab with a muted looking palette and it captures the period quite well.
The grain structure of the transfer is consistent throughout and it would appear that the original print is in rather good condition. Imperfect, but very real looking.
The Sound
The DTS-HD Master Audio Mono soundtrack is a fair cry from the multi-channel lossless mix on the remake, but in a weird way it's preferable. Dialogue is crisp and clear throughout and the special effects (screetching train brakes, gunfire) actually add to the presentation as opposed to overwhelming the film. The top end sounds quite authentic and while some additional heft in the bass wouldn't hurt, the mix is perfect for what it is trying to accomplish. A lossless 5.1 mix would have sounded quite artificial in my humble opinion.
The Extras
With the exception of the original and rather lengthy theatrical trailer (HD), there are no bonus features on this Blu-ray transfer at all. Not even production stills or a nice photograph of Jerry Stiller enjoying a sandwich.
Final Thoughts
The Taking of Pelham One Two Three is a hard film not to like and while it may not have the polished look of the 2009 remake which is rife with ear-splitting special effects, it just feels more authentic. Matthau and Shaw are worthy foes and the tension underground is palpable. The Blu-ray transfer is certainly not reference quality but it captures 1974 in New York City very well and is well worth a spot in your film library. Guzentheit!
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