Smash-Up on Interstate 5 (TV 1976)

A disaster movie opening with an enormous multi-vehicle crash on a Californian highway. After the opening stunt-filled action, a flashback of the crash victims' lives prior to and leading ... See full summary »

Director:

John Llewellyn Moxey

Writers:

Eugene Price (teleplay), Robert Presnell Jr. (teleplay),

Stars:

Robert Conrad, Sian Barbara Allen, Buddy Ebsen

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Robert Conrad	...	Sergeant Sam Marcum
Sian Barbara Allen	...	Barbara Hutton
Buddy Ebsen	...	Al Pearson
Herb Edelman	...	Danny
David Groh	...	Dale
Scott Jacoby	...	Lee Bassett
Joe Kapp	...	Officer Estevez
Sue Lyon	...	Burnsey
Vera Miles	...	Erica
Donna Mills	...	Laureen
Harriet Hilliard	...	June Pearson (as Harriet Nelson)
George O'Hanlon Jr.	...	Pete
Terry Moore	...	Trudy
Bonnie Ebsen	...	Penny
Tommy Lee Jones	...	Officer Hutton

Storyline

A disaster movie opening with an enormous multi-vehicle crash on a Californian highway. After the opening stunt-filled action, a flashback of the crash victims' lives prior to and leading up to the accident. The closing replays the entire "smash up" from various angles and in slow motion, depicting much carnage and indifference to the victims.

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Plot Keywords:

highway | disaster | interstate | policeman | pregnant woman | 

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Taglines:

15 Lives Bound Forever in One Shattering Second ... The Most Awesome Automobile Accident Ever Filmed!

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 December 1976 (USA)

Also Known As:

Carambolages

Filming Locations:

La Canada Flintridge, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Filmways Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Interstate 5 runs north-south on the west coast of the United States paralleling US Route 101 from the Mexican to the Canadian borders connecting the cites of San Diego, Los Angeles, Sacramento (California), Medford, Eugene, Salem, Portland (Oregon), Tacoma, Seattle, Everett and Bellingham (Washington).

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Goofs

For the entire film, Sgt. Marcam's CHP cruiser is a then-new 1976 Dodge Monaco (an intermediate sized car). For the crash sequence at the end of the film, his car changes into a much larger 1973 Dodge Monaco (no doubt a budget consideration, as the car is wrecked).

User Reviews

This Movie Held My Attention From The Very Beginning To The Ending

Smash Up On Interstate 5 is one of the made for television movies from the decade of the 1970s, that was very very well done. This movie held my attention from the very beginning to the ending of the film.I saw this movie many many years ago when it first aired on television so long ago.I was very impressed by it way back then.I am still as impressed with this movie when I watch it now.I never get tired of it.I think it is a good film for young people to see.It shows what can happen when driving is done carelessly.They ought to show this movie in driver's education.I do not like to drive on the interstate, and this film shows why.The movie has a wonderful cast.Buddy Ebsen,Harriet Nelson,as the sweet older couple. Donna Mills,Robert Conrad,David Groh,and the great Vera Miles.The writing was terrific, and so were the shots done in the pile up on the interstate.I love how the story builds and builds to the climax in the end.The movie was tastefully done, considering it shows a huge pile up on the freeway.I highly recommend this movie to everyone.