National Lampoon's European Vacation (1985)

The Griswolds win a vacation tour across Europe where the usual havoc ensues.

Director:

Amy Heckerling

Writers:

John Hughes (screenplay by), Robert Klane (screenplay by)

Stars:

Chevy Chase, Beverly D'Angelo, Dana Hill

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Chevy Chase	...	Clark Griswold
Beverly D'Angelo	...	Ellen Griswold
Dana Hill	...	Audrey Griswold
Jason Lively	...	Rusty Griswold
John Astin	...	Pig in a Poke Host - Kent
Sheila Kennedy	...	Game Show Hostess #1
Paul Bartel	...	Mr. Froeger
Cynthia Szigeti	...	Mrs. Froeger
Malcolm Danare	...	The Froegers' Son
Kevi Kendall	...	The Froegers' Daughter
Tricia Lange	...	Game Show Hostess #2
William Zabka	...	Jack
Wendy Goldman	...	Stewardess
Angus MacKay	...	Announcer at Court
Julie Wooldridge	...	Princess Di

Storyline

After surviving the Wally World expedition in National Lampoon's Vacation (1983), the Griswolds embark on a fascinating, worry-free, all-expenses-paid trip to cosmopolitan Europe, courtesy of the popular TV game show, Pig in a Poke. This time, the merry holidaymaker, Clark Griswold, his wife, Ellen, and their teenage children, Audrey and Rusty, find themselves in a race against the clock, trying to see as many sights as possible in London, Paris, Germany, and Rome. Once more, disaster follows, as British driving idiosyncrasies, unforgivable fashion crimes in the City of Lights, a daunting language barrier in a Bavarian village, and a brush with the law in Rome stand in the way of happiness. Can the Griswolds survive the European Vacation?

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Plot Keywords:

england | woman in a bathtub | scantily clad female | upskirt | bare breasts | 

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Taglines:

For over two thousand years, Europe has survived many great disasters. Now for the real test... The Griswold's.

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Genres:

Adventure | Comedy

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Certificate:

PG-13

Did You Know?

Trivia

Harold Ramis declined to return as director, as he was busy with Ghostbusters (1984).

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Goofs

Eric Idle's character is shown collapsing in the fountain. It's not made very clear that this is because his leg plaster has dissolved.

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Quotes

Ellen Griswold: Clark, why don't we just forget the "Pig-in-a-Poke" itinerary, and just play it by ear, like normal people?
Clark Griswold: Honey, we're not normal people. We're the Griswolds.

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Crazy Credits

The opening credits are stamped on various parts of passports, including the passport photos of the cast.

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Alternate Versions

Some alternate takes of scenes were filmed especially for television, toning down the raunchy nature. For example, the female aerobic dancers in the television version are wearing tops.

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Connections

Referenced in Mike & Mike: Episode dated 1 July 2016 (2016)

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Soundtracks

Holiday Road
Written and Performed by Lindsey Buckingham
Courtesy of Phonogram International and Warner Bros. Records Inc.
By Arrangement with Warner Special Products

User Reviews

Worst of the Vacation Movies

I hated this film. I LOVED the first, liked the third (Christmas), and enjoyed the fourth (Vegas). This one was simply horrible. In my opinion, the European setting had nothing to do with it. The movie was simply unfunny and boring. It had the potential to be a great movie but was written and timed very badly. Clark and Ellen just did not seem like the same couple from the first.

I just got this movie on DVD, which has a commentary by Chevy Chase. I found it interesting that he seemed to make quite a few negative remarks about different scenes in the film. It seemed like even Chevy wasn't very happy with.

I wouldn't go as far to say, not to see this film but I would highly recommend that a person see #1, #3, and #4 first before venturing into this one. The order doesn't really matter anyhow, in this series.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Italian German French

Release Date:

26 July 1985 (USA)

Also Known As:

National Lampoon's European Vacation

Filming Locations:

St James Gardens & Addison Ave, London, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$17,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$12,329,627, 28 July 1985

Gross USA:

$49,364,621

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$49,364,621

Company Credits

Production Co:

National Lampoon, Warner Bros.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1