National Lampoon's European Vacation

Theater date: 1985-07-25

Blu-ray release date: 1986-12-31

6.176 (IMDB)

Genre: AdventureComedyRomance

Language: en

Status: Released

Languages:

English

Description:

The Griswolds win a vacation to Europe on a game show, and so pack their bags for the continent. They do their best to catch the flavor of Europe, but they just don't know how to be be good tourists. Besides, they have trouble taking holidays in countries where they CAN speak the language.

Top Cast >

Chevy Chase

As Clark W. Griswald

Beverly D'Angelo

As Ellen Griswald

Dana Hill

As Audrey Griswald

Jason Lively

As Rusty Griswald

Victor Lanoux

As The Thief

Eric Idle

As The Bike Rider

John Astin

As "Pig in a Poke" Host - Kent

Paul Bartel

As Mr. Froeger

Maureen Lipman

As Lady in the Bed

Willy Millowitsch

As Fritz Spritz

Mel Smith

As Hotel Manager

Moon Unit Zappa

As Rusty's California Girl

Sheila Kennedy

As Game Show Hostess #1

Cynthia Szigeti

As Mrs. Froeger

Malcolm Danare

As The Froegers' Son

Kevi Kendall

As The Froegers' Daughter

Tricia Lange

As Game Show Hostess #2

William Zabka

As Jack

Wendy Goldman

As Stewardess

Angus MacKay

As Announcer at Court

Julie Wooldridge

As Princess Di

Peter Hugo

As Prince Charles

Jeannette Charles

As Queen Elizabeth

Derek Deadman

As Taxi Driver

Gwen Nelson

As Hotel Manager's Mother

Robbie Coltrane

As Man in the Bathroom

Paul McDowell

As First English Motorist

Ballard Berkeley

As Second English Motorist

Elizabeth Arlen

As Mrs. Garland

David Gersh

As Mr. Garland

Jacques Herlin

As Hotel Desk Clerk

Jacques Maury

As Hotel's Assistant Manager

Philippe Sturbelle

As Cafe Waiter

Alice Sapritch

As Dowager on the Eiffel Tower

Isa Carol Horio

As Blond Girl at Eiffel Tower

Isabelle Massard

As Brunet Girl at Eiffel Tower

Sylvie Badalati

As Rusty's French Girl

Didier Pain

As Video Camera Thief

Erika Wackernagel

As Helga Spritz

Claudia Neidig

As Rusty's German Girl

Massimo Sarchielli

As The Other Thief

Jorge Krimer

As Unfortunate Express Agent

Gloria Charles

As Stewardess

Gary Owens

As "Pig in a Poke" Announcer (uncredited)

Tom Willett

As "Pig in a Poke" Audience Member (uncredited)

Peter Roy

As Guest in Ellen's Dream (uncredited)

Reg Thomason

As Guest in Ellen's Dream (uncredited)

Salvatore Billa

As Policeman (uncredited)

Top Crew >

Amy Heckerling

Director

Pembroke J. Herring

Editor

Charles Fox

Original Music Composer

Robert Paynter

Director of Photography

John Hughes

Screenplay, Story

Matty Simmons

Producer

Regina Gruss

Publicist

Daphne Martin

Hairstylist

Graham Williams

Costume Design

Robert Cartwright

Production Design

Stuart Cornfeld

Co-Producer

Alan Tomkins

Art Direction

Simon Wakefield

Set Decoration

Monty Westmore

Makeup Artist

Robert Klane

Screenplay

Marion Dougherty

Casting

Nick Forder

Makeup Artist

Christine George

Hairstylist

Leslie Tomkins

Art Direction

Michael D. Moore

Second Unit Director

Richard Richtsfeld

Special Effects

Don French

First Assistant Director

Tony Dawe

Sound Recordist

Stephen Morley

Still Photographer

Dieter Meyer

Production Supervisor

Bob Bremner

Gaffer

Reviews:

r96sk (6/10)

'National Lampoon’s European Vacation' largely disappoints. The opening events in England are its peak, a couple of moments produced a few chuckles; even if they were stupid scenes, good stupid though. Once leaving British borders, I did find it much more dull.

The writers sure dislike the French, eh? One of two creepy gags to do with the young daughter takes place with a Frenchman, the other with the American host (was it a Family Feud spoof? Makes it slightly less weird) - I was gonna say it has aged badly, but was it ever not an odd choice of joke? On the note of her, Audrey and Rusty are recast in this.

Chevy Chase and Beverly D'Angelo do return and are as they were before. The most interesting bits in regards to the cast, for me anyway, are the appearances of Robbie Coltrane and Eric Idle. The running gag with the latter actor is probably the best part of this movie, to be honest.

These (first two, at least) films are at least short at 90 minutes and it is cool see to see them travel and film on location throughout all the different places shown. As for the nitty-gritty, though, I can't say I'd recommend this one. It misses a fun ending, which the original had.

2025-02-05