Scarecrow suggests | Action on trains doesn't stop at "Pelham"

In Tony Scott's new remake of "The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3," John Travolta takes the passengers of a subway car hostage, so we've decided to recommend a few of our favorite movies about subway- or train-related skulduggery.

In 1967's "The Incident," two young punks (including Martin Sheen in his screen debut) terrorize the passengers of a late night New York subway car. Filmed in stark black-and-white, it's not so much a thriller as a melodrama about cruelty, apathy and prejudice.

A sarcastic computer genius (Eric Bogosian) hijacks a train to use as his mobile headquarters while extorting the governments of the world with a weaponized satellite in 1995's enjoyable Steven Seagal sequel "Under Siege 2: Dark Territory." Seagal of course plays a highly — skilled soldier who happens to be aboard the train and has some experience as a one-man anti-terrorism squad. He's also accompanied by his niece, played by Katherine Heigl of "Grey's Anatomy" fame.

In John Frankenheimer's 1964 WWII thriller "The Train" it's actually the heroes who sabotage the railways. Nazis are trying to transport a train full of art treasures out of Paris before the Allies arrive, and it's up to the resistance to stop the train without damaging the artifacts.

Of course, the best is always the original "Taking of Pelham One Two Three," starring Walter Matthau as the New York City Transit Police lieutenant charged with saving subway hostages from Robert Shaw. It's a unique and entertaining gem hardly in need of an update.

Contributed by Scarecrow Video, 5030 Roosevelt Way N.E., Seattle; 206-524-8554 or www.scarecrow.com.