Janet Agren is unlikely casting as the bedraggled prostitute of Brunella Rondi's MACADAM JUNGLE, a film whose natural English title of INGRID THE STREETWALKER was apparently never used.

I saw it in a version padded with XXX insert scenes, but the original format clearly shines through. Ingrid's a stunning blonde girl from the north who arrives in Rome after trying her hand (literally) at hooking on the train. Once ensconced in the fabled metropolis, she's taken under the wing of an experienced streetwalker Claudia (played by Francesca Romana Coluzzi, who easily steals the movie), and seems to make the big time when hired as a twosome by decadent aristocrat Urbano (played by talented actor-director Enrico Maria Salerno).

Matters reach a tragic inclusion due to the evil machinations of the leader of a motorcycle gang, Renato (Franco Citti, on loan from Pier Paolo Pasolini's acting stable). Plenty of sex and gore is delivered, even without the unmatched, brightly lit XXX closeups that showed up like clockwork in the DVD I watched. Many of the films of this era were spiced up with hardcore scenes added later (even so big a star as Ornella Muti suffered this ignominious fate), but in one b.j. closeup it is fortunately obvious that Agren was not personally degraded in this fashion -only her film was.

Agren is such an ice-maiden beauty that she doesn't fit this casting choice -no matter how she's pawed, her clothes torn, or her makeup ruffled, she remains ready to step out and film a L'Oreal commercial at any moment (sort of the Dayle Haddon syndrome). Filling in the blanks is Coluzzi, an earthy beauty who reminds me of Francoise Fabian (the French-dubbed soundtrack helped cement that impression), and she gives one powerhouse performance here. I've seen her in many films over the years, but I don't think she ever got the big break or achieved starring roles. Citti as the dastardly, sadistic villain is very disappointing -I wasn't convinced by his character for a moment. Score by Carlo Savina is excellent.

Filmmaker Brunello Rondi remains, 20 years after his death, an enigma -I hope to see more of his work soon, starting with his debut VIOLENT LIFE which starred Citti and was derived from a Pasolini story. Rondi wrote films for Fellini for most of the maestro's career, but never established himself as a director of note on his own. However, his frequent dabbling with popular exploitation themes means he is due for a re-evaluation, now that exploitation films (especially from Italy) are so highly prized by a new generation of buffs, whose "taste buds have been ruined" to paraphrase an exhortation by Henri Langlois, and who reject wholesale the classics of cinema history.

Italian cinema has deeply influenced world cinema through its socially conscious realism and modernist experimentation, but it also flourished in popular genres like peplum (sword & sandal), giallo thrillers, and broad comedies. Its narratives often weave together politics, contemporary social change, class consciousness, and family dynamics, balancing artistic ambition with entertainment that resonated widely.

Lamberto Maggiorani in Bicycle Thieves (1948)

The crime genre features criminal activities, investigations, law enforcement, crimes, and the pursuit of justice. Crime stories often revolve around the planning, execution, and consequences of criminal acts, as well as the efforts to solve and prevent such acts. They explore various aspects of criminal behavior, motives, and the moral dilemmas faced by both perpetrators and those seeking to uphold the law.

James Gandolfini, Edie Falco, Sharon Angela, Max Casella, Dan Grimaldi, Joe Perrino, Donna Pescow, Jamie Lynn Sigler, Tony Sirico, and Michael Drayer in The Sopranos (1999)

The drama genre is a broad category that features stories portraying human experiences, emotions, conflicts, and relationships in a realistic and emotionally impactful way. Dramas delve into the complexities of human life, often exploring themes of love, loss, morality, societal issues, personal growth, with the aim to evoke an emotional response from the audience by presenting relatable and thought-provoking stories.

Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)

The young Ingrid leaves her home after being raped by her father and arrives to Rome, where she prostitutes herself.

Get a closer look at some of Hollywood's perfect pairs.

Hollywood Power Couples

Get a closer look at some of Hollywood&#39;s perfect pairs.

"The Gentlemen" and "Slow Horses" return this fall, while the "Reacher" spin-off series "Neagley" makes its debut. See our guide of the biggest Fall TV and streaming releases.

2026 Fall TV and Streaming Watch Guide

&quot;The Gentlemen&quot; and &quot;Slow Horses&quot; return this fall, while the &quot;Reacher&quot; spin-off series &quot;Neagley&quot; makes its debut. See our guide of the biggest Fall TV and streaming releases.

Get a closer look at these actors from their many TV and streaming series roles.

Streaming Stars, Then and Now

Barbara Bouchet and Pier Paolo Capponi in Valeria dentro e fuori (1972)

Janet Agren and Gino Cassani in Ingrid sulla strada (1973)

Franco Garofalo and Fred Robsahm in Ingrid sulla strada (1973)

Janet Agren in Ingrid sulla strada (1973)

Ingrid sulla strada

Photos62

Top Cast21

User reviews1

More like this

Related interests

Storyline

Did you know

Top picks

Details

Tech specs

Contribute to this page

More to explore

Recently viewed