Gerald Greenberg and Robert Q Lovett are the "stars" of this tough and compelling thriller about the hijacking of a New York subway train. As the film's editors, their superb sense of rhythm and pace brings real tension to the radio exchanges between villain Robert Shaw and transport cop Walter Matthau, who tries to prevent Shaw and his gang from killing hostages while waiting for the payment of a $1-million ransom. Frankly, the motley collection of clichéd passengers doesn't deserve to be rescued, but, fortunately, director Joseph Sargent keeps the focus firmly on his leads. Shaw is admirably fanatical, and the world-weary, wisecracking Matthau is magnificent.

In New York, armed men hijack a subway car and demand a ransom for the passengers. Even if it's paid, how could they get away?