TODAY'S NUGGET: The Taking of Pelham 1, 2, 3 (1974) - Making A 150 pg. Thriller Feel Like 90 pgs.

[Quick Summary: Four men take 16 NYC train passengers hostage and demand $1M from the city, or they will start killing hostages.]

What makes a 150 pg. thriller speed by, as if you're floating on air?

1)  Well rounded characters.

In fact, pretty much every character, no matter how incidental, gets a little moment to shine, an eye roll here, a snappy line there.

 2) Humor.

As The Dissolve said about the film, “Most of the movie’s humor comes from the same thing that ratchets up the movie’s tension: the thrilling hostility constantly wielded by every New Yorker against every other New Yorker. ....No situation is complete without kibbitzing or argument, and everyone has to put their two cents in. Even the bystanders who are onscreen for mere moments. Even the hostages in danger, who can’t help telling their captors that the million-dollar ransom is “not so terrific.” They’re mostly pissed off their commute is on hold—

In the scene below, notice how fast and how much information you're getting from the characters' attitudes and reactions. Also, note its NY sense of humor.

INT. SUBWAY - FIRST CAR - PASSENGERS - BLUE'S POV

...At the far end, Brown guards the rear door. At mid-car, Grey stands with his legs astride.

ANOTHER ANGLE

Including Blue and, behind him, at the front storm door, Green.

BLUE: The city has agreed to pay for your release.

No one quite knows how to greet this news -- except the Pimp who slowly, mockingly, claps his hands together.

PIMP (drawling): Far out, man --

Blue starts forward, walking slowly, looking at passengers on both sides of the aisle as he goes.

MOTHER: As soon as the money gets here -- will you let us go?

BLUE: No -- but soon afterwards.

OLD MAN: Do you mind telling us now how much you're getting?

BLUE: What difference does it make?

OLD MAN: A person likes to know his worth.

BLUE: A million dollars.

OLD MAN: Each?

BLUE: Altogether.

OLD MAN (disappointed): That's not so terrific.

WHAT I'VE LEARNED: This script is an unusually smart use of characters, humor, and tension that creates an environment in which I'd like to spend time.

The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1974)(Rev. 1st draft, 4/16/73)
by Peter Stone
Based on the novel by John Godey