Given our fascination with crime films, we’ve been eagerly awaiting the release of the John Travolta, Denzel Washington film The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (arriving June 12), a remake of the 1974 film of the same name.

As all but the ignoramasses (our neologism of the day) know, the movie tracks the hijacking of a New York subway train.

Some SI readers like mihi_rex suggested that we watch the original before the remake hits the screens next week.

So, we got the 1974 film from Netflix today.

Directed by Joseph Sargent, the 124-minute film features the late actors Walter Matthau and Robert Shaw in key roles.

The Netflix sleeve holding this DVD describes the movie as an ‘unsung classic of crime cinema‘ from which ‘Quentin Tarantino borrowed a lot.’

We’ll know in a short while if this is indeed a classic or mere Netflix hyperbole.

We may or may not (take that Ænima) update this post after watching the film.

But most likely, we will.

Update:
This movie is a mediocre piece of shit.

Don’t understand why it has been hailed as an unsung classic.

No gripping drama.

No gory violence (no, a few shots don’t count).

No great suspense.

And you call this a crime movie.

BS.

Yes, you heard us right, fellas.

Plain BS.

We were not impressed one whit.

Not with the hijackers. Not even with Walter Matthau.

Hopefully, the remake will be a better product, folks. Keep your fingers crossed, now.

The Hungarian subway movie Kontroll (2003) was a gazillion times better.

This one just ain’t cutting it for us.