Customer Reviews

National Lampoon's European Vacation [VHS]

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(16)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(9)
1 star:		(10)

 

 

This is NOT the original version!!! I'm very disappointed that Amazon.com didn't disclose this information. Scenes are missing and parts are dubbed over. Funny parts are still funny but it's just not the same. I feel duped.

I'm flabbergasted that they put the dumbed-down tv version of this movie on dvd and not the theatrical version. They took scenes out, changed scenes and dubbed dialog to create this mess of a dvd. Not only that, but the movie looks funny. The aspect ratio they used makes the movie look weird. I was eagerly waiting for this funny, well-done movie to be released on dvd and I am bitterly disappointed at this made-for-tv garbage. This tv version will only appeal to an unsophisticated mass audience.

Attention Warner Home Video: If you are reading this, you need to issue a press release in which you apologize for this garbage and then announce that you will release an uncut version of the movie on dvd.

I of course love the first two "Vacation" movies and I always will. So I was excited to see this come out on Blu-Ray. Sadly, this is yet another "cas grab" Blu-Ray that is nothing more than an upconverted DVD in disguise - grainy picture, mediocre sound. You're better off saving a few dollars and getting the DVD instead, as you'll get the exact same home theater experience.

Do NOT sell your normal DVD to move up (LOL) to this abomination of a blu ray....from the opening WB logo which appears grainy and soft...you know whats coming and that is a low quality blu ray . I'd avoid until WB actually upgrades the VACATION series....the first one also came out on blu ray and its marginally better...still not worth the exchange..save your money.

This movie was excellent. Chevy Chase was at his hilarious best in this sequel. I was just wondering about the whereabaouts of Jason Lively. I dug his part in this as well as some of the other movies he played in. He was excellent as Russell Griswald. In fact, in a small sort of way, he helped make the movie. Some of his scenes, like the dream sequence of him dancing in a european nightclub to Robert Palmer's "Some Like It Hot" and a drunken "Oink Oink My Good Man" to Chevy Chase in the european "show club" was awesome. If anyone knows his whereabouts or if he is still making movies please reply to this and e-mail me at ... I have been wondering what has happened to him. This movie, regardless of what others think, was just as good as the first one. Chevy (Clark) & his family just continued the hilarious vacation overseas and ran into more crazy insanity along the way. Hilariously Entertaining ...5 Stars. (Stonehenge...standing the test of time for thousands of future generations to see... And we were here...we were here)

Finally, this forgotten Vacation movie finds it's way to DVD after all these years! Chevy Chase returns, in his best movie role, as Clark Griswold....hero of the world! He wins a vacation to Europe, courtesy of the (not so) hit television show: Pig In A Poke, and with his quick, high IQ(not)! He plans, with his family, a detailed swing through his mother land, while he burns their barbeque!

Upon arrival in England, he books the family in a world famous hotel....with the top service you would come to expect....uh, maybe not. The next morning, Clark crashes his rental car into another car(the driver graciously gives his damaged fender to Clark) and soon after - Clark drives into a bicycler, Eric Idle(Monty Python fame) - who limps away, with his totaled bike, wanting absolutely no money or help from Clark! Out of his gratefulness, Clark manages to smash into this poor Englishman two more times, ultimately!

Clark shows Ellen, Audrey and Rusty the monumental sights of England - he spends the rest of the day pointing out Big Ben and Parliament(to an eventually sleeping family), because of his inability of making a left lane change/exit in a large loop road! Too funny! After completely ruining Stonehenge(by backing his car into and toppling it), Clark drags his weary family on a quick trek through unforgettable Paris, France....and the beautiful countryside of Germany....with more trouble looming ahead! This entire movie is hilarious and is worthwhile to see! Buy it here at Amazon.com....I did! And so, to quote Rusty Griswold, I shall close by saying...."Oink Oink, my good man!!!!" :)

Chevy Chase and Beverly D'Angelo return as Clark and Ellen Griswold in National Lampoon's European Vacation, sequel to the original Vacation movie and precursor to the holiday classic Christmas Vacation. Like the other films, this edition contains different cast members to play the roles of Griswold children Audrey (Dana Hill) and Rusty (Jason Lively). The only Vacation movie that doesn't feature Cousin Eddie (Randy Quaid), European Vacation is nevertheless one hilarious movie. It's an old school comedy like they just don't make anymore...

When the Griswold family appears on the hit TV game show, Pig In A Poke, they inadvertently beat a superior family and win an all-expenses paid trip to Europe. As usual, Clark is giddy about the wonderful trip of family bonding which he dreams his family will enjoy. But Audrey is mortified at the prospect of leaving her boyfriend behind. Nevertheless, the Griswolds hop on a plane bound for Europe.

Right off the bat, Clark's dream vacation begins to experience shortcomings. The first hotel the family stays in is a half-star dump with a community bathroom, and Clark gets stuck on a circular roadway where he endlessly passes by Big Ben and Parliament. A couple of brilliant guest appearances are turned in by Eric Idle (of Monty Python fame) who plays the role of a zealously friendly biker. In one of the funniest scenes in the film, Clark smashes into the biker, who apologizes to Clark while hobbling away from the wreck and who springs a bloody leak from his wrist that he passes off as a mere "flesh wound". When Clark hits another motorist, he and the family are given the man's bumper as a souvenir to take home to America.

As the Griswold clan makes their way across mainland Europe, especially in France and Germany, they encounter various pitfalls and cultural misunderstandings. Rusty causes a dog to jump to its death from the heights of the Eiffel Tower, and Clark instigates a riot in a small Bavarian township. One of the more memorable one-liners from the film is when Audrey tells Clark that in Germany "sex" means "six," so while searching for his relatives who live in apartment six, he greets some surprised residents with the tagline, "Hello, my family and I are looking for sex!"

When the stress becomes unbearable, the vacation inevitably drives each of the family members in a different direction, but everyone is quickly brought back together when Ellen is kidnapped by a pair of petty criminals who want to get their hands on the family vacation fund. Clark must come to the rescue and save, not only his wife, but the family's entire vacation experience as well...

A great comedy that contributes to the overall quality of the National Lampoon's Vacation films, European Vacation is a fun, family-oriented film. Those who enjoyed the exploits of Clark Griswold in the more recent Christmas Vacation or Vegas Vacation films will find it well worth their while to go back see this movie which many people have forgotten about. This is an utterly hilarious film in its own right, and clearly earns its designation as a must-see film...

The DVD Report

First I would like to disagree with all the neagtive comments about this movie. I have probbaly seen it a good 500 times. I have worn out 4 videotapes, so to my surprise and delight, it is finally coming out on DVD. I have searched high and low and always wondered why all the other vacation movies were out but not this one..
Anyway, the entire Vacation series in a nutshell, are brillaint, light hearted movies. Though European was the best. There are fun characters and amazing one liners. I love Clark in Germany and on Pig in the Poke... The kids were cool, I love that Rusty, but Audrey made me ill! Can you pass the crousaints, and the butter and the jelly...yuk.
Overall the plot was fun, they win a trip to Europe, on a fluke...Clark, Thats right..Clark, of Lewis and Clark...And the Griswalds' are our grand prize Pig in a Poke winners...and they allow us access to the American disfuncional family life. I think you can relate cause we all have had family vacationos like that, where dad is frustrated, mom is trying to smooth everything over ( and kidnapped ) and the kids are trying their hardest to be a pain in the rump!
Any way, I am delighted that I can get the DVD, and I am looking forward to the commentary. because one of the beauties of this film, is there are so many slapstick jokes going on in the background. They are not the focus of the scene, so unless you are a obsessed fan like me they would go un-noticed. So I am hoping that the commetary will shed a few secrets that even I was unaware of.

Great movie, definitely check it out! Its a joy! And I recomend that younger kids don't watch, due to adult suggestions... AHHHHH, I love it.

The thing that makes "National Lampoon's European Vacation" stand out from its original predecessor "National Lampoon's Vacation" is the lush, green European scenery combined with the dialogue between the film's characters. Add the delightful comedic talents of Monty Python's Eric Idle, and you have the makings of a hilarious movie, with Idle adding an element of slapstick, screwball physical comedy that occurs with each accident that brings with it a style only Chevy Chase's character, Clark Griswold can create. Dana Hill and Jason Lively fit into their roles as brother and sister Audrey and Russ Griswold quite nicely. Let's not forget the lovely talents of Beverly D'Angelo as Ellen Griswold, whose shower scene in the movie is sort of on the risque side, but ends up being hysterical when she finds it advertised on an Italian billboard due to Clark's accidental videotaping! I did find the kissing scene between John Astin's game show emcee character and the Griswold daughter (Dana Hill) character to be totally inappropriate for a film that the whole family can watch together. If you're into scenic films with a good dose of comedic dialogue and action-adventure, then "European Vacation" is the movie for you! Highly recommended

I know I am probably in the minority on this, but I feel this 2nd chapter was the best of the 4. I feel the comical moments, the moments of tension, and Chevy Chase's sudden rise to facing a crisis are especially well balanced.

Very quickly, the Griswalds win a trip to Europe (in a comical accidental manner) on a game show. By the way, John Astin handles his small role as the game show host really well.

In 4 neatly divided chapters, Chevy Chase and his family see England, France, Germany, and Italy. Their 1st trip is to England. In one comical moment, Chevy Chase tries to consult his computer to understand what someone is saying, and Rusty has to say: "Dad, he's speaking English!" The Griswalds also run into some especially friendly English who don't take vehicular accidents so much to heart. ("Don't worry. Now I've got an excuse to get it fixed.")

Their 2nd stop is in France. There are of course some language barriers from hereon. As someone who studies French, it upset me a little that most of the French were portrayed as rude.

In one moment, Chevy's video camera is stolen, and this will play an important part later. The Griswalds are insulted (in French) as they check into their hotel. At a restaurant, a waiter curses (quite heavily in French) at Chevy Chase, and while part of us wants to laugh, part of us may feel it was totally uncalled for.

If you study French, you may see what possibly provoked the waiter's reaction. Chevy Chase mispronounces 'Garcon' which technically can refer to a waiter. But it literally translates to 'boy.' And 'Garcon' is considered an IMPOLITE way to refer to a waiter.

Also likely was that the waiter was reacting to Chevy Chase's mispronouncing the French words. But to be fully honest, who doesn't mispronounce a few words when they are trying to learn a new language? Undoubtedly, the most popular French scene in this movie is when Chevy Chase finds his son Rusty drunk at the topless night club.

Onto Germany. Here we have one extreme to the other. The Griswalds receive some especially hospitable treatment from total strangers. But Chevy almost gets hanged at a festival. The most memorable scene here may very well be when the girl says: "They're going to hang someone." And with barely a second of thought, Rusty screams: "Dad!" But of course they escape, and make it to the train. There is some understandable frustration with each other on the train. (Very quickly though, even if we set external circumstances aside, the 4 have simply been together for too long. People need their space, and this will play an important part in Italy.)

In Italy, they happen to accidentally (but realistically and innocently) walk into a crime in the works. Tension is released as the criminals buy time, and (under the guise of employees of a travel agency) offer Chevy and his family a huge amount of money to go shopping with.

But the tensions start to brew again, and to Ellen's shock, an 'explicit' tape of her that was stolen in France, has found its way to the movie theaters. ("The Wet Hot Wife") From here the family goes their own way, but they are reunited when Ellen is kidnapped.

In many ways, I consider this the best of the 4. Because things start well; then there are some understandable tensions; but the family is reunited when a crisis hits. And all of a sudden, Chevy Chase no longer bumbles. He is smart, quick thinking, and effective in his rescue of Ellen.

I know many people consider the 1st the best. But I must hold to my opinion that this 2nd chapter is the best of the 4.