The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (also known as The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3) is a 1974 American action thriller movie directed by Joseph Sargent and was based on the 1973 novel of the same name by Morton Freedgood. It stars Walter Matthau, Robert Shaw, Hector Elizondo, Martin Balsam, James Broderick, Earl Hindman, Jerry Stiller, Doris Roberts, Lee Wallace, Dick O'Neill and was distributed by United Artists.