Traffic Jam (1979)
"L'ingorgo - Una storia impossibile" (original title)

A tremendous congestion hit the Roma highway ring. The biggest traffic jam ever seen endures for more than 36 hours. People blocked in their cars react at the beginning normally. But the ... See full summary »

Director:

Luigi Comencini

Writers:

Luigi Comencini (screenplay), Ruggero Maccari (screenplay),

Stars:

Alberto Sordi, Annie Girardot, Fernando Rey

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Alberto Sordi	...	Dr. De Benedetti
Annie Girardot	...	Irène
Fernando Rey	...	Carlo
Patrick Dewaere	...	Mara's Lover
Ángela Molina	...	Martina
Harry Baer	...	Mario
Marcello Mastroianni	...	Marco Montefoschi
Stefania Sandrelli	...	Teresa
Ugo Tognazzi	...	Professor
Miou-Miou	...	Angela
Gérard Depardieu	...	Franco
Orazio Orlando	...	Ferreri
Giovannella Grifeo	...	Germana Gargiulo
Lino Murolo	...	Blind man #2
Ciccio Ingrassia	...	The Dying Man

Storyline

A tremendous congestion hit the Roma highway ring. The biggest traffic jam ever seen endures for more than 36 hours. People blocked in their cars react at the beginning normally. But the more the time advance the more we are witness of personal dramas, hysteric reactions and more. All the episodes are linked like one only plot. Cars and their hosts are a microcosm of stories part of a major universe: the congestion.

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Plot Keywords:

car | traffic | traffic jam | italian comedy | commedia all'italiana | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

Italy France West Germany Spain

Language:

Italian French Spanish German

Release Date:

4 March 1988 (USA)

Also Known As:

Traffic Jam

Filming Locations:

Cinecittà Studios, Cinecittà, Rome, Lazio, Italy

Company Credits

Production Co:

Clesi Cinematografica, Greenwich Film Productions, José Frade Producciones Cinematográficas S.A.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

121 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Version of Weekend (1967)

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Soundtracks

"Woman of Night"
Performed by Angela Monti

User Reviews

Blurb.

"Traffic Jam" is a grandiose black comedy which is a little bit of Fellini's "Roma", Godard's "Weekend, and Bunuel's "The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie." Along a Roman highway there is a monumental traffic jam that lasts 36 hours. We get to witness the dramas, personal and public, of a group of people in this pile-up of vehicles, an image no doubt to be taken as a microcosm of an aggressively cut-throat world. It is a movie that is in turn tongue-in-cheek, riotous, clever, and just plain funny. Extended cameo roles are provided by Alberto Sordi, Marcello Mastroianni, Ugo Tognazzi, Annie Girardot, and Angela Molina. It is a good example of "commedia all'italiana", a genre that combined rib-tickling humor with savage satire.