The Incident (1967)

I bought a used VHS tape of this recently, and saw it for the first time in decades (I'd seen it on TV in 1972). I believe it's based on a real incident or incidents that took place in NYC in the mid-sixties. That two punks can hold a subway car hostage is realistic always; people don't want to get involved, and that could include any of us. Nonetheless, that that street crime has become more vicious--and armed--since then does diminishes its power. Then again, a switchblade can be as dangerous as a gun, and Musante's brandishing it would have been scary at any time. A well-acted piece, and interesting to see the late Ed MacMahon in a film. It was also interesting that this was Martin Sheen's first screen role, and as an aggressive punk. In reality, he's one of Hollywood's leading pacifists.

Poster "Sol1218" wrote that he found it not credible that none of the other passengers on the train tried to interfere with the thugs or help their fellow passengers. But the reality of 1967 was that it was a rare New Yorker who would stick his neck out for a stranger.Just three years earlier, in 1964, a terrible crime occurred in Forest Hills, Queens that made headlines world-wide. A barmaid named Kitty Genovese was attacked and killed on the street while dozens of neighbors in surrounding apartment buildings listened to her screams. During the attack, apparently one person yelled from a window and the attacker backed off for a few moments. But when no further interference took place, the attacker returned and stabbed Miss Genovese to death.None of the neighbors even called the police. They all later said, when interviewed, "I didn't want to get involved." That sentiment reflected the majority of New Yorkers in that era of rampant street crime: mind your own business, don't get involved.The passivity of the passengers in The Incident was perfectly in line with the sensibilities of the time, and the fact that it took a visitor from Oklahoma (Beau Bridges) to step up to the plate, was also very apt.All that being said, this movie is extremely powerful. The first time I ever saw it, on television, I was shaking for hours.

In answer to the negative views , I must point out that this movie was very believable. Most people are overwhelmed by even the ILLUSION of bulliness. There was an attempted escape or 2 . Oh by the way , have you heard of the KITTY GENOVESE CASE. This movie was way ahead of its time . I loved the fact they gave each character a platform explaining the psychology, sociology and overall dynamics leading up to their 'fate' on that train. Genius indeed. Great acting, suspense and in some ways very HITCHCOCKIAN. The cast blew me away and if you want to see Martin Sheens partner in crime ... Tony Musante, you can see him in WE OWN THE NIGHT. He actually plays a good guy in that movie albeit a few pounds heavier lol. He was such a wonderful 'bad' guy in this movie. Treat yourself and watch this gem . I do not like remakes but this one would be an exception

I never watched this film before. I am originally from Queens,N.Y. so it did bring back memories,subway memories that is. I believe that NYC transit cops were riding the trains at that time. I noted the fare was 20 cents which had risen from 15 cents perhaps not too long before this film was produced. These were the last years that these particular kinds of subway cars were used on the subway lines of NYC. There were so many breakdowns that the city had to buy new cars not long after this film was made. I loved those old cars though. They had such a nice smell to them. On top of that, I loved the sound that they made. The sound people for this film captured that to a tee. I felt like I was riding in one of these cars again for just the moments that the movie was on. I got the feeling of an art film here as well. The black and white photography gave perfect atmosphere to this movie. Here it is 2007, and one cannot deny that Sheen and Bridges look good for their age and continue working in the industry. I never rode on the 3rd Ave. El but I remember it being in existence at that time. A good film of multi-characters;perhaps a good alternative title is "strangers on a New York subway train".