National Lampoon’s European Vacation Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A family wins a game show, goes to Europe, and insults every country they visit because dad can’t drive on the left, or speak any language except for loud American.

🍿 National Lampoon’s European Vacation: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Winning the Vacation

The Griswold family, Clark, Ellen, Rusty, and Audrey, compete on the game show ‘Pig in a Poke’ against the Froegers. Through a series of comical events, the Griswolds emerge victorious, winning an all-expenses-paid trip to Europe.

London Mishaps

The Griswolds begin their European adventure in London. Clark struggles to drive on the left side of the road, leading to numerous accidents, including repeated collisions with a cyclist, played by Eric Idle. They visit Stonehenge where Clark accidentally knocks over the stones.

Parisian Problems

In Paris, the family experiences cultural clashes and communication barriers. Clark has his video camera stolen, containing a private video of Ellen. The family visits landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre, but Clark rushes through the experiences.

German Confusion

The Griswolds attempt to connect with their German relatives, but mistakenly visit the wrong family. Despite the language barrier, the hospitable German couple welcomes them. At a local festival, Clark’s dancing leads to a brawl.

Roman Holiday Gone Wrong

Arriving in Rome, the Griswolds lose their luggage. Clark attempts to reclaim his traveler’s checks but is given three times the amount by criminals, who then involve the family in their schemes. Ellen is kidnapped after her stolen video ends up on a billboard, and Audrey and Clark pursue the kidnappers.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase): The well-meaning but accident-prone patriarch who drags his family through a disastrous European vacation.
• Ellen Griswold (Beverly D’Angelo): The supportive and often exasperated wife who tries to keep the family together despite Clark’s mishaps.
• Rusty Griswold (Jason Lively): The hormone-driven teenage son who seeks romantic adventures during the European trip.
• Audrey Griswold (Dana Hill): The insecure and lovelorn teenage daughter who pines for her boyfriend back home.
• Eric Idle (Eric Idle): An unlucky British cyclist who repeatedly falls victim to Clark’s terrible driving.
• Lead Criminal (Victor Lanoux): A thief in Rome who becomes an antagonist when he kidnaps Ellen after the Griswolds unknowingly get involved in his criminal activities.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Clark: “Kids, look! Big Ben! Parliament!” – Clark excitedly points out the landmarks while stuck in a traffic roundabout in London, endlessly circling them.
• Clark: “I’m so excited to be here…under the shadow of Notre Dame.” – Clark expresses his enthusiasm for being in Paris, showcasing his stereotypical tourist excitement and slight ignorance.
• Ellen: “Clark, Audrey’s pinned under a car!” – Ellen’s exasperated exclamation highlights the chaotic nature of their vacation and Clark’s oblivious behavior.
• Rusty: “Dad, this is crazy. We’re never gonna get out of here.” – Rusty expresses his frustration while driving in a traffic roundabout.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $17,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $49,364,621
• Worldwide Gross: $49,364,621

💥 National Lampoon’s European Vacation Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, let’s be real, European Vacation isn’t high art, but it holds a special place in my heart! I remember watching this with my family as a kid, and we were in stitches. The scene with Clark trying to navigate the roundabout in London still cracks me up. Sure, it’s silly and over-the-top, but sometimes that’s exactly what you need! It’s a fun, nostalgic trip that always puts a smile on my face. Plus, who can resist Chevy Chase at his most cluelessly charming? I definitely recommend it for a lighthearted movie night.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Chevy Chase and Beverly D’Angelo”
  • “Viewers who enjoy slapstick comedy”
  • “Those who appreciate 80s comedies”
  • “People looking for lighthearted, undemanding entertainment”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Suggestive scenes”
  • “Crude humor”
  • “Mild language”
  • “Brief nudity”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “European Vacation leans heavily on slapstick and broad cultural stereotypes, offering fleeting moments of genuine humor amid a sea of predictable gags. Chase and D’Angelo deliver committed performances, but the uneven script ultimately undermines their efforts. Amy Heckerling’s direction lacks the sharpness of the original.
• The New York Times: “National Lampoon’s European Vacation is a lazy and uninspired sequel, recycling familiar tropes without adding any fresh comedic perspective. The film’s reliance on cheap laughs and offensive stereotypes makes for a grating and ultimately unsatisfying viewing experience.
• LA Times: “While not as memorable as the original, European Vacation offers some laughs as the Griswolds stumble through Europe. Chevy Chase’s physical comedy shines but the film relies on caricatures that haven’t aged well. Beverly D’Angelo is as charming as ever. Worth a nostalgic watch.

Audience Reactions

The Stonehenge scene is comedy gold, and even if you see it coming, it’s still hilarious.: Many viewers find the movie funny and nostalgic, although some acknowledge that it hasn’t aged particularly well due to its reliance on stereotypes.

The cameo by Eric Idle is funny, and it’s a brilliant Monty Python Easter egg.: Eric Idle brightens up a lot of the scenes he is in.

Overall Consensus: While not as beloved as the original, European Vacation has its fans who appreciate the slapstick humor and nostalgic value, though many acknowledge the reliance on dated stereotypes.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Anthony Michael Hall and Dana Barron, who played Rusty and Audrey in the original ‘Vacation,’ did not return for this sequel. Jason Lively and Dana Hill were cast in their roles.”
• “The scene where Clark accidentally knocks over Stonehenge was filmed using lightweight polystyrene replicas. The production team was very careful not to damage the actual historical site.”
• “Eric Idle’s recurring role as the injured cyclist was inspired by his own experiences with cycling accidents. He ad-libbed some of his lines, drawing on his comedic background with Monty Python.”

🖥️ How to Watch National Lampoon’s European Vacation?

National Lampoon’s European Vacation is available for purchase or rental on various platforms, including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for broadcast availability.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed National Lampoon’s European Vacation, you might like these similar films:

• National Lampoon’s Vacation (1983): The original film that started the Griswold family vacation mishaps, setting the tone for the series.
• If It’s Tuesday, This Must Be Belgium (1969): A similarly themed comedy about a whirlwind tour of Europe, capturing the hectic and often absurd experiences of American tourists abroad.
• Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987): A chaotic and hilarious journey filled with travel mishaps and contrasting personalities, resonating with the Griswold’s disastrous travel experiences.
• The Trip (2010): Showcases the humor and awkwardness in traveling and experiencing different cultures, much like the Griswolds’ European adventure.
• EuroTrip (2004): A raunchy comedy following a group of American teenagers on a wild and outrageous trip across Europe.

🛒 National Lampoon’s European Vacation Related Products

• National Lampoon’s Vacation 4-Movie Collection: Relive all the hilarious Griswold family vacations with this digital collection! Includes Vacation, European Vacation, Christmas Vacation, and Vegas Vacation. The ultimate collection for any comedy fan.
• European Landmarks Building Block Set: Build your own Stonehenge, Eiffel Tower, and Big Ben, inspired by the movie’s memorable locations! High-quality building blocks with detailed instructions, this set is perfect for collectors and fans.
• National Lampoon’s Vacation T-Shirt Collection: Show off your love for the Griswolds with a range of t-shirts featuring memorable quotes and images from the Vacation movies. Choose from classic designs or modern takes on iconic scenes.
• National Lampoon’s Vacation Board Game: Embark on your own chaotic road trip in this Vacation-themed board game! Navigate iconic locations, face hilarious challenges, and race to be the first to reach your destination. Perfect for family game night!

🎧 Soundtrack

National Lampoon’s European Vacation features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Holiday Road” – performed by Lindsey Buckingham
• “Some Like It Hot” – performed by Power Station
• “Back in America” – performed by Network

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Did you know for NATIONAL LAMPOON’S EUROPEAN VACATION…

Ever wonder about some behind-the-scenes secrets from ‘European Vacation’? This video is packed with cool facts you probably didn’t know. I was surprised by some of these, you won’t be disappointed!

10 Things You Didn’t know About EuropeanVacation

Think you know everything about ‘European Vacation’? Think again! This video uncovers 10 surprising facts that’ll blow your mind. Honestly, I had no clue about half of these!

Griswolds at Stonehenge

Remember the hilarious Stonehenge scene? This video brings you right back to that iconic moment. It is so stupid, but so funny at the same time!

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