As a kid I knew Walter Matthau from silly comedies like Grumpy Old Men and The Odd Couple, it was only later in life that realized he was a very fine actor indeed. He generally stayed in the comedic lane, but once in a while, he’d take on something more dramatic.

The Taking of Pelham One Two Three is a terrifically taut little thriller about some dudes hijacking a New York Subway car. Matthau plays a transit cop trying to catch them. It is a wonderful encapsulation of New York in the 1970s.

You can read my full review here.