Trafic (1971)

Director:

Jacques Tati

Writers:

Jacques Tati (original scenario) and
Jacques Lagrange (artistic collaboration) ...
(more)

Release Date:

11 December 1972 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot:

Mr. Hulot drives a recreational vehicle from Paris to Amsterdam in his usual comic, disasterous style.

Plot Keywords:

Traffic | Police | Dog | Reckless Driving | Running Out Of Gas

Awards:

1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

Jacques Tati	...	Monsieur Hulot (as Mr. Hulot)
Marcel Fraval	...	Truckdriver
Honoré Bostel	...	Director of ALTRA
François Maisongrosse	...	François (as F. Maisongrosse)
Tony Knepper	...	Mechanic
Franco Ressel
Mario Zanuelli
Maria Kimberly	...	Maria

Directed by
Jacques Tati

Writing credits
Jacques Tati		original scenario and
Jacques Lagrange		artistic collaboration and
Bert Haanstra		participation

Produced by
Robert Dorfmann	....	producer

Original Music by
Charles Dumont

Cinematography by
Eduard van der Enden		(as Edward van den Enden)
Marcel Weiss

Film Editing by
Maurice Laumain
Sophie Tatischeff
Jacques Tati		(uncredited)

Production Design by
Adrien De Rooy

Costume Design by
Jacques Esterel

Makeup Department
Gert Van Den Berg	....	makeup artist

Production Management
Georges Laurent	....	production manager
Wim Lindner	....	production manager
Marcel Mossotti	....	unit manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Alain Fayner	....	assistant director
Roberto Giandalia	....	assistant director
Marie-France Siegler	....	assistant director

Art Department
Hugo Van Baren	....	carpenter (uncredited)

Sound Department
Alain Curvelier	....	sound
Jean Nény	....	sound mixer (as Jean Neny)
Ed Pelster	....	sound

Camera and Electrical Department
Christian Dupré	....	assistant camera
Paul Rodier	....	camera operator
René Schneider	....	assistant camera
Peter Smaling	....	assistant camera
Anton van Munster	....	camera operator

Editorial Department
Patricia Nény	....	assistant editor
Claude Plouganou	....	synchronization
Patrick Raynaud	....	assistant editor

Music Department
Bernard Gérard	....	conductor

Other crew
Juliette Wuidart	....	administrator

Production Companies

• Les Films Corona
• Les Films Gibé
• Selenia Cinematografica

Distributors

• Columbia Films (1971) (Finland) (theatrical)
• Les Films Corona (1971) (France) (theatrical)
• Columbia Pictures (1972) (USA) (subtitled)
• Criterion Collection, The (2008) (USA) (DVD)
• Future Film (2003) (Finland) (DVD)
• Kinowelt Home Entertainment (1971) (Germany) (DVD)
• Mainostelevisio (MTV3) (1980) (1986) (Finland) (TV)
• Nordic Video (????) (Finland) (video)
• VTI Home Vídeo (Brazil) (VHS)

Also Known As:

Runtime:

96 min

Country:

Italy | France

Language:

French | Dutch | English

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Finland:S | Sweden:Btl | USA:G | Iceland:L | Australia:G

Filming Locations:

Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, Netherlands

Company:

Les Films Corona

Trivia:

At the car-show in Amsterdam, Hulot's company Altra has a spot which is captured by Volvo and their new series Volvo 140 sedan and Volvo 145 station-wagon.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: Several (Dutch) license plates can be seen on various different vehicles, sometimes even in the same shot. For instance the license plate "FT-92-65" can be seen in the petrol station scene on both a Peugeot 504 and a Chrysler 180. Later the same plate is on a Peugeot 204 passing in front of the exhibition center. In the "road rage" scene the number 76-04-NF is on both the Renault 16 and the Citroën ID. Shortly after the same plate is on an Opel Kadett parked in front of the exhibition center.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Traffic Jam (2013)

One of the great comedies!

Unlike the previous reviewer, I have to say that the French made many great comedies. But just as there are many styles in US cinema, so are there many styles in other countries.

"Trafic" is a wonderful stab at modern life and our infatuation with cars that is more up to date than ever, with traffic jams at an all time high.

In passing, or rather sitting, through the summery vacation road chaos this Tati movie slaps everything from drivers' behaviors and quirks that are border less, to general human characteristics, and even matters of national pride.

I disagree with the inability of the French to laugh at themselves - but one needs to realize that the humor involved is very deep and tongue in cheek, but is just about even more stinging because it is not so superficial.

What makes this movie, just like the other Tati movies so remarkable, is that one does not need to speak or understand French and can still watch it in its original sound track, because the camera does all the work. "Shtick" with brains, a piece of visual art that might hang in a modern art gallery, were it not a movie, self contained, intelligent, funny. It is a neat feature about most Tati films.

I remember being in stitches when I last saw it, and that was after seeing it several times already.

Other great French comedies would be the original versions of

"The Tall Blonde With The Red (Black) Shoe", ie "Le Grand blond avec une chaussure noire"

(note that the original odd shoe was black, not red),

"Birdcage", ie "La Cage Aux Folles", the German title of which was much closer to the actual "A Cage Of Fools" .... oh heck, just look up movies with Pierre Richard, Jean Rochefort, the unknown to Americans (because he would have put Hollywwod to such shame to kill their business in comedy) all time unforgettable Louis De Funes, Fernandel, Mireille Darc, Yves Montand, Jean Paul Belmondo (one of his movies is an obvious blueprint for Indiana Jones), .... these are all true actors that are also capable of character studies and can deliver such a punch that it flies right over many people's heads .... maybe the previous reviewer is right ... the French have no comedy ... not of the shallow sitcom style in any case. If you can laugh with your whole heart, head , and soul though, then start digging and you will find much of the best ever made.