The Taking of Pelham One Two Three

Main Plot

"The Taking of Pelham One Two Three," directed by Joseph Sargent, is a tense thriller centered around the hijacking of a New York City subway train. Four armed men, led by a mastermind named Mr. Blue, take control of the train and hold its passengers hostage. They demand a ransom of one million dollars to be delivered within an hour, threatening to kill one hostage per minute if their demands are not met. The film follows the efforts of transit police lieutenant Zachary Garber as he navigates the complexities of the situation, coordinating with city officials and trying to outsmart the hijackers. The narrative builds suspense through a series of strategic maneuvers, intense negotiations, and the looming deadline, culminating in a gripping and unexpected resolution.

Characters

• Walter Matthau plays Lt. Zachary Garber, a transit police officer who negotiates with hijackers to save hostages on a New York City subway train.
• Robert Shaw plays Mr. Blue, the ruthless leader of a group hijacking a New York City subway train for ransom.
• Martin Balsam plays Harold Longman, alias "Mr. Green," a disgruntled former subway motorman who helps hijack a New York City subway train for ransom.

Ending Explained

In the conclusion of Joseph Sargent's film "The Taking of Pelham One Two Three," the hijackers' meticulously planned subway train heist unravels. The plot centers on four men, led by Mr. Blue (Robert Shaw), who hijack a New York City subway train and demand a ransom of one million dollars. The authorities, led by Transit Police Lieutenant Zachary Garber (Walter Matthau), scramble to meet the hijackers' demands while trying to outsmart them. As the ransom is delivered, the hijackers attempt to escape by setting the train to run automatically, expecting it to crash and cover their tracks. However, Garber and his team manage to stop the train in time, preventing a disaster. The hijackers split up to evade capture, but Garber's relentless pursuit pays off. In a climactic moment, Garber confronts Mr. Blue, who chooses to commit suicide rather than be captured. The film ends on a subtly humorous note when Garber visits the apartment of Mr. Green (Martin Balsam), one of the hijackers. A sneeze from Mr. Green inadvertently reveals his identity, leading to his arrest. This ending underscores the blend of tension and dark humor that characterizes the film.