Why Is It Called The Taking Of Pelham 123?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,

Four heavily armed men hijack a southbound 6 train—the titular Pelham 123, so called because it originated at the Pelham Bay Park Station at 1:23 p.m.—

and hold 19 hostages for ransom

. Only this time they're asking for $10 million.

Why is it called Pelham 123?

The title derives

from the train's radio call sign

. When a New York City subway train leaves to make a run, it's given a call sign based on the time it left and where, in this case Pelham Bay Park Station at 1:23pm.

What was the point of The Taking of Pelham 123?

The Taking Of Pelham 123 is case in point: using the premise of

a well-regarded (but hardly landmark) heist thriller from the 70s as a starting

point, but drawing on the technology advancements and social concerns of the twenty-first century, creates about as valid a reason for a remake as you'll find.

Is The Taking of Pelham 123 real?

This Remake of the 1974 Original Is

Entirely Fictional

This lightning-paced thriller of a remake about the hijacking of a New York City subway train is as entirely fictitious as the original film, released in 1974, which starred Walter Matthau, Robert Shaw, and Martin Balsam.

What year did the original Taking of Pelham 123 come out?

The Taking of Pelham One Two Three was released on October 2,

1974

. It grossed $16,550,000 at the box office.

How much was Denzel Washington paid for Pelham 123?

The remake of The Taking Of Pelham 123 (1974) was developed at Sony, which mined the property from the MGM library that they acquired in late 2004. The studio signed Denzel Washington in September 2007 for

a $20M

payday.

Did Garber actually take the bribe?

Share: Garber (Denzel Washington) did

take a $35,000 bribe when he saw the improved train models in Japan

. … As thanks for his service, the mayor (James Gandolfini) promises to erase the investigation into Garber's bribe. Garber returns home to his family with a half gallon of milk.

How many Taking of Pelham 123 movies are there?

We might be tired of hearing the old cliché that New York is like a character in any set there, but that's demonstrably true in the

three

distinct screen versions of Godey's novel.

How many versions of The Taking of Pelham 123 are there?


The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1998 film)

, a television movie directed by Félix Enríquez Alcalá and starring Edward James Olmos and Vincent D'Onofrio. The Taking of Pelham 123 (2009 film), a film adaptation directed by Tony Scott and starring Denzel Washington and John Travolta.

What happened at the end of Pelham 123?

The mayor thanks Garber and assures him the city will “go to bat” for him over his bribery admission. The film

concludes as Garber returns home to his wife with groceries he had promised to pick up.

Is Unstoppable a true story?

Unstoppable is a 2010 American action thriller film directed and produced by Tony Scott and starring Denzel Washington and Chris Pine. It is

based on the real-life CSX 8888 incident

, telling the story of a runaway freight train and the two men who attempt to stop it.

Is there a Pelham 123 train?

The train that is hijacked in the novel The Taking of Pelham One Two Three by Morton Freedgood (writing as John Godey) departs

from Pelham Bay Park at 1:23 pm

, hence the name “Pelham 123”.

Where can I watch the original Taking of Pelham 123?

Currently you are able to watch “The Taking of Pelham One Two Three” streaming on

Amazon Prime Video

, Criterion Channel or for free with ads on Pluto TV.

Emily Lee
Author
Emily Lee
Emily Lee is a freelance writer and artist based in New York City. She’s an accomplished writer with a deep passion for the arts, and brings a unique perspective to the world of entertainment. Emily has written about art, entertainment, and pop culture.