Taking of Pelham 123 - Original vs Remake
How does the original 1974 Taking of Pelham 123 compare to the remake with Denzel Washington and John Travolta?
SPOILER ALERT - there will be plot elements related to the endings for both movies. If you haven't seen them, go watch them now.
Where to watch online (current as of 05/18/20) -
1974 - https://hdfy.to/movies/action/the-tak...
2009 - https://hdfy.to/movies/action/the-tak...
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Show notes:
0:00:32 - why do we have mistrust and cynicism towards politicians and authority - especially during Covid-19
0:01:30 - today’s doom and gloom vs 70’s post-Vietnam / post-Watergate era
0:02:20 - original with Walter Matthau / Robert Shaw shows NYC during highest crime rate of 1970’s - also see Deathwish Original vs Remake
0:03:12 - controversial connection between abortion and crime popularized by Freakonomics
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legaliz...
0:06:06 - gritty feel of New York City and subway system
0:06:48 - Walter Matthau and Jerry Stiller (RIP) easily play streetwise transit cops
0:08:10 - stoic heroes surrounded with panicky people
0:08:50 - how this film seems related to Assault on Precinct 13 / reverse of siege scenario
0:10:00 - what did Quentin Taratino steal to make Reservoir Dogs
0:10:28 - did these criminal know each other before heist / hijacking?
0:11:12 - original Thomas Crown Affair made before 1974 Pelham 123
0:11:42 - Robert Shaw plays smooth, more refined criminal mastermind and
slightly psychotic as Quint in Jaws or Blofeld in From Russia with Love
0:12:22 - Tony Roberts as deputy mayor while mayor in bed with flu
0:14:26 - why sexism and racism in Taking of Pelham 123 reflected 70's time period
0:16:48 - another example was brief mention of Attica prison riot
0:17:28 - how does 1998 made for tv version of Taking of Pelham 123 compare
starring Edward James Olmos and Vincent D’onofrio with Donnie Wahlberg
0:19:08 - noteworthy performance of female conductor played by Lisa Vidal (“Babs” in credits)
sympathetic character, felt loss more
0:20:32 - 1998 remake more faithful to book but weird bright, overexposed style similar to La Femme Nikita tv series
0:22:40 ** short break **
0:22:50 - same jarring demise of Mr. Blue between 1974 original vs 1998 remake but..
0:23:42 - how 2009 remake differs from other versions
directed by Tony Scott, who also made 2008 Andromeda Strain remake
0:25:30 - again MTV effect with John Travolta as master criminal “Ryder”
Denzel Washington as sleek everyman
0:26:32 - other stars include James Gandolfini and John Toturro
0:27:28 - strange inconsistency of Denzel Washington passive civic servant suddenly turning into Jason Bourne action hero
0:29:08 - what held movie together was Denzel Washington’s performance
0:31:24 - why hostage scenario fails in 2009 due to post 9/11, e.g. taking out Luis Guzman’s Mr Green
0:32:48 - how realistic was 2009 Taking of Pelham 123 with commodities scenario
0:34:08 - less believable scenario of hijacking / negotiation vs special forces / SWAT teams
0:36:30 - more action than character development Tony Scott / lots of product placement
0:38:02 - wireless technology seen in 2009 version
0:39:00 - how does original Taking of Pelham 123 compare to remakes
weaknesses of other versions
0:40:20 - 2009 remake lacks tension in racing the clock
0:42:22 - possible future remake of Taking of Pelham 123
0:42:50 - coming up: Seven Samurai vs Magnificent Seven
Battle Beyond the Stars