The defence The Adrenaline Seeker
“Momentum is a formal choice.”
The velocity sharpens instinct and tension, making every beat land before self-importance can settle in.
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The Taking of Pelham One Two Three
Crime · Thriller · Comedy · 1974
In New York, armed men hijack a subway car and demand a ransom for the passengers while the authorities question about the method of their escape.
Movie details
The Taking of Pelham One Two Three
“We are going to kill one passenger a minute until New York City pays us 1 million dollars.”
1974 Crime · Thriller · Comedy 1h 45m
Critical arithmetic
One number, for now.
Scores change. Arguments endure.
TMDB
7.5 / 10
Community rating
In New York, armed men hijack a subway car and demand a ransom for the passengers while the authorities question about the method of their escape.
CriticWise case file
What this film says about your taste.
Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.
The archetype split
Who fights over The Taking of Pelham One Two Three?
For the defence
The Adrenaline Seeker
“If it slows down, you check your phone.”
Read their case For the prosecution
The Auteur Devotee
“You watch the director, not the movie.”
Read their objectionThe split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.
Taste neighbourhood
Nearby on the taste map.
TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.
Escape from New York
Action · 1981
In a world ravaged by crime, the entire island of Manhattan has been converted into a walled prison where brutal prisoners roam free. After the US president crash-lands inside, war hero Snake Plissken has 24 hours to bring him back.
High Rollers
Action · 2025
A master thief must pull off a dangerous casino heist when his nemesis kidnaps his lover. Caught between rival criminals and FBI pursuit, he risks all to save her and score big.
Inside Man: Most Wanted
Action · 2019
An NYPD hostage negotiator teams up with a federal agent to rescue dozens of tourists held hostage during a 10-hour seige at the U.S. Federal Reserve.
Hostage
Action · 2005
When a mafia accountant is taken hostage on his beat, a police officer – wracked by guilt from a prior stint as a negotiator – must negotiate the standoff, even as his own family is held captive by the mob.
The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3
Crime · 2009
Armed men hijack a New York City subway train, holding the passengers hostage in return for a ransom, and turning an ordinary day's work for dispatcher Walter Garber into a face-off with the mastermind behind the crime.
The Fate of the Furious
Action · 2017
When a mysterious woman seduces Dom into the world of crime and a betrayal of those closest to him, the crew face trials that will test them as never before.
The Anderson Tapes
Crime · 1971
Thief Duke Anderson—just released from ten years in jail—takes up with his old girlfriend in her posh apartment block, and makes plans to rob the entire building. What he doesn't know is that his every move is being recorded on audio and video, although he is not the subject of any surveillance.
God Is a Bullet
Thriller · 2023
Vice detective Bob Hightower finds his ex-wife murdered and daughter kidnapped by a cult. Frustrated by the botched official investigations, he quits the force and infiltrates the cult to hunt down the leader with the help of the cult’s only female victim escapee, Case Hardin.
Rampage: Capital Punishment
Action · 2014
A man takes over a TV station and holds a number of hostages as a political platform to awaken humanity, instead of money.
Juggernaut
Thriller · 1974
A terrorist demands a huge ransom in exchange for information on how to disarm the seven bombs he has planted aboard a trans-Atlantic cruise ship. Inspired by real events.
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Names above the title
The people responsible.
Cast & crew
Directed by
Joseph Sargent
Written by
Peter Stone
Walter Matthau
Lt. Garber
Robert Shaw
Blue
Martin Balsam
Green
Héctor Elizondo
Grey
Earl Hindman
Brown
James Broderick
Denny Doyle
Dick O'Neill
Correll
Court is in session
Put The Taking of Pelham One Two Three on trial.
Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.
The prosecution The Auteur Devotee
“Speed as an alibi.”
The film races past its weak spots and hopes acceleration will keep the audience from inspecting the evidence.