National Lampoon's European Vacation 1985
Directed by
Amy Heckerling
Made by
Warner Bros.
Plot Summary
As the Griswold family sets off on their chaotic adventure across Western Europe, they find themselves in a series of unfortunate predicaments thanks to their victory on the wildly absurd game show Pig in a Poke. Their arrival in London is marked by a stay in a ramshackle hotel managed by a disheveled Cockney desk clerk, foreshadowing the chaos that lies ahead.
Clark’s tendency to veer off the beaten path is evident as he drives on the wrong side of the road in their yellow Austin Maxi, propelling them into a wealth of misadventures. A nerve-wracking experience at the Lambeth Bridge roundabout ensnares them in a traffic jam, while a misguided detour at Stonehenge results in a comical disaster, toppling the ancient stones like dominoes.
When they reach the sparkling City of Light, Clark’s inability to communicate effectively in French leads to a cascade of humorous blunders, including the theft of their camcorder by a sly thief. Their attempts to snap a family photo at the Eiffel Tower take a strange turn when Rusty, played by Jason Lively, unwittingly attracts the attention of a group of young women, prompting Clark to intervene just as a mischievous dachshund mistakes their stenciled beret for a frisbee, sending it flying off the tower and into a fountain below.
Further mishaps ensue as they find themselves at a risqué can-can show, where Rusty unexpectedly gets involved with a certain lady of the night. Upon reaching West Germany, a mix-up sends them crashing into the home of an elderly couple, whom they mistakenly believe are relatives. Surprisingly, the couple welcomes them with open arms and treats them to a feast fit for royalty.
Attempting to merge into the local culture takes a wild turn when Clark transforms a lively Bavarian dance into a chaotic street brawl, his impulsiveness leading to him getting stuck in a narrow medieval archway while trying to extricate their Citroën DS from a precarious spot. As the Griswolds adventure spins wildly out of control, it’s evident that their European journey is shaping up to be an epic comedy of errors.
Upon arriving in Rome, they unexpectedly find themselves caught up in a travel agency run by scheming thieves. The cunning leader poses as the manager while holding the real proprietor hostage. He hands the Griswolds a vehicle while slyly claiming he misplaced the trunk keys, leaving the family blissfully ignorant of the impending doom. The next day, Ellen faces shock as she discovers a billboard displaying intimate moments captured on their stolen camcorder, an act that leaves her infuriated with Clark, who had previously assured her that the footage was erased.
Searching for comfort at their hotel, Ellen encounters the very thief who rented them the car, unaware of his deceitful nature. Just as he attempts to snatch the car keys from her purse, chaos ensues as Clark chases the thief through the streets of Rome, culminating in a splashdown in a beautiful fountain after attempting to rescue Ellen from abduction. Ultimately, the police arrive to apprehend the criminal and restore safety.
As the Griswolds return home, the plane ride amplifies in chaos when Clark’s search for a washroom triggers a series of misfortunes, sending the aircraft perilously low. Just as the tension peaks, Rusty triumphantly announces, “Yep, the Griswolds are back,” as they catch sight of the Statue of Liberty’s inverted torch, perfectly epitomizing their chaotic journey back from Rome.
Timeline
Griswolds Win a Game Show
The Griswold family begins their chaotic adventure through Western Europe after winning the absurd game show 'Pig in a Poke'. This unexpected victory sets the stage for a series of unfortunate events that will hilariously unfold during their travels.
Arrival in London
Upon arriving in London, the Griswolds check into a ramshackle hotel run by a disheveled Cockney clerk. This dismal lodging foreshadows the chaos and mishaps that await them during their stay in the city.
Driving Mishaps
Clark's lack of navigation skills becomes apparent as he drives their yellow Austin Maxi on the wrong side of the road. This misdirection quickly propels the family into a series of comedic misadventures as they navigate through the bustling streets.
Traffic Jam at Lambeth Bridge
The Griswolds find themselves ensnared in a nerve-wracking traffic jam at the Lambeth Bridge roundabout. The overwhelming chaos surrounding them creates tension and frustration as they struggle to make any headway.
Chaos at Stonehenge
A misguided detour leads the Griswolds to Stonehenge, where Clark's cluelessness results in a comical disaster that topples the ancient stones like dominoes. This incident is a hallmark of their unsuccessful attempts to enjoy sightseeing.
Arrival in Paris
The family arrives in the captivating City of Light, Paris, but Clark's struggles with the French language lead to a multitude of humorous blunders. Their attempts to take in the culture are rapidly dashed by a series of misunderstandings.
Camcorder Theft
At the height of their Parisian escapades, the Griswolds have their camcorder stolen by a sly thief. This event adds to their troubles as they lose precious memories and become more embroiled in the chaos of their trip.
Family Photo Mishap at the Eiffel Tower
While attempting to snap a family photo at the iconic Eiffel Tower, Rusty's attractiveness draws the attention of a group of young women. An unexpected turn of events occurs when a mischievous dachshund mistakes their belongings for a toy, causing more mayhem.
Risqué Adventure in a Can-Can Show
The Griswolds venture into a risqué can-can show, resulting in an awkward and unexpected involvement for Rusty with a lady of the night. This escapade highlights the unpredictable nature of their family trip.
Mistaken Identity in West Germany
Upon arriving in West Germany, the Griswolds mistakenly crash into the home of an elderly couple they believe to be relatives. Surprisingly, the couple welcomes them enthusiastically, offering a lavish feast that adds a cozy twist to their chaotic journey.
Bavarian Dance Disaster
As the family attempts to immerse themselves in the local Bavarian culture, Clark's enthusiasm turns a lively dance into a chaotic street brawl. His impulsive nature leads to yet another embarrassment as he gets stuck while trying to free their car.
Encounter with Thieves in Rome
Upon their arrival in Rome, the Griswolds unwittingly become embroiled in a scheme involving a travel agency run by thieves. They are unaware of the danger, as the cunning leader poses as the manager while holding the real one hostage.
Billboard Embarrassment
Ellen is shocked to discover a billboard showcasing intimate moments captured on their stolen camcorder. This revelation infuriates her, leading to further tensions between her and Clark over the mishaps of their adventure.
Chase Through the Streets
In a bid to recover the family’s stolen items and protect Ellen from danger, Clark chases after the thief through the lively streets of Rome. This thrilling pursuit culminates in a splashdown in a beautiful fountain, adding a splash of humor to the chase.
Chaotic Return Home
As the Griswolds finally return home, their plane ride proves to be a turbulent comedy of errors initiated by Clark's frantic search for a washroom. The chaos peaks when Rusty exclaims, 'Yep, the Griswolds are back!' as they spot the Statue of Liberty's inverted torch, symbolizing their chaotic journey.
Characters
Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase)
Clark is the well-meaning but often oblivious patriarch of the Griswold family. His relentless pursuit of a perfect vacation leads to a series of unfortunate and comical mishaps. Clark's impulsiveness and naivety highlight the film's humor, as he attempts to dominate each situation with charm, often disregarding practicality.
Rusty Griswold (Jason Lively)
Rusty is the teenage son of the Griswold family, who often finds himself caught up in his father's wild escapades. His youthful energy contrasts with the chaos around him, leading to both comedic moments and instances of unexpected maturity. As a character, Rusty serves as a bridge between childlike innocence and teenage awareness.
Ellen Griswold (Beverly D'Angelo)
Ellen is the supportive yet often exasperated wife of Clark, providing a grounding force amid the family's chaotic European adventure. Her character demonstrates patience but also assertiveness as she deals with the repercussions of her husband's antics. Ellen's emotional range adds depth to the story, showcasing her love for her family despite the challenges.
Setting
Time period
The events unfold in the contemporary context of the 1980s, a time when travel in Europe was becoming increasingly accessible to families. The era reflects a blend of cultural encounters and humorous misunderstandings, as globalization begins to change travel experiences.
Location
London, Paris, West Germany, Rome
The Griswold family's European adventure takes them through several iconic cities. London, characterized by its chaotic tourist atmosphere and unique local charm, serves as the starting point. In contrast, Paris, known as the City of Light, captivates visitors with its romance and historic landmarks. West Germany offers a blend of cultural depth and traditional festivities, while Rome, rich in history and beauty, is both a scenic backdrop and a chaotic playground for the family.
Themes
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Comedy of Errors
The film epitomizes a classic comedy of errors, as the Griswold family's naivety leads them into one humorous predicament after another. Each misadventure allows for comedic interactions with various cultures, highlighting the absurdity of their situation in contrast to their intentions. The theme showcases the unpredictability of travel and the humor found in chaotic circumstances.
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Family Dynamics
At its core, the movie explores the dynamics of family life, especially during travel. Clark's misguided determination to create a perfect vacation often leads to tension, but ultimately brings the family closer amidst the chaos. Each character's quirks and reactions add depth to the theme of familial love and resilience as they navigate overwhelming obstacles together.
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