National Lampoon's Vacation

Name: National Lampoon's Vacation
Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Romance
Released: July 29, 1983
Duration: 98 min
Rating: 55
Cast: Beverly D'Angelo, Chevy Chase

1983

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Mixed or average reviews based on 13 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 75 Ratings

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7.8

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7.8	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 75 Ratings

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Movie Details & Credits

Warner Bros. | Release Date: July 29, 1983 | R

Starring: Beverly D'Angelo, Chevy Chase

Summary: The Griswold family's cross-country drive to the Walley World theme park proves to be much more difficult than they ever anticipated.

Director: Harold Ramis

Genre(s): Adventure, Comedy, Romance

Rating: R

Runtime: 98 min

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Critic Reviews

Staff [Not Credited]

National Lampoon’s Vacation is an enjoyable trip through familiar comedy landscapes. Read full review

David Ansen

While there are few huge laughs, the very lack of pushiness in Harold Ramis's direction comes as comic relief. [8 Aug 1983, p.55]

Janet Maslin

National Lampoon's Vacation, which is more controlled than other Lampoon movies have been, is careful not to stray too far from its target. The result is a confident humor and throwaway style that helps sustain the laughs - of which there are quite a few. Read full review

Staff (Not Credited)

Not so much a comedy about American values as a 2,500 mile skid on a banana skin. The visual gags come thick and fast, and are about as subtly signposted as the exit markers on a freeway. An exercise in the comedy of humiliation which is the stuff of shamefaced giggles. Read full review

Jay Scott

The film is primarily an excuse for Chase to demonstrate that though he may be a movie star he has yet to learn how to create, let alone sustain, a character, and for director Harold (Caddyshack) Ramis and screenwriter John (National Lampoon's Class Reunion) Hughes to demonstrate that some movie stars get the colleagues they deserve. [2 Aug 1983]

TV Guide Magazine Staff (Not Credited)

Director Harold Ramis, star and co-writer of STRIPES (1981) and GHOST BUSTERS (1984), keeps this film moving and heightens the humor with his inclusion of comic cameos from a variety of actors. Read full review

Larry Kart

There are two, maybe three, good gags in National Lampoon's Vacation, which otherwise is poorly paced, sloppily put together, and full of inept, ill-conceived performances. Read full review

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User Reviews

Snitz157

Apr 12, 2017

Just a fantastic movie, it never gets old, it's a timeless movie and I think it gets more hate than it should, it has to be in my top 10 favourite 80's movies

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

TheDude-

Aug 23, 2015

National Lampoons vacation is a fantastic comedy film with jokes and situations written with such hilarious quality that you split your sides every time you watch. A comedy classic.

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Duke_Nukem

Oct 9, 2015

Classic roadtrip comedy from the 80's with a hilarious Chevy Chase as the goofy father Clark Griswold and the beautiful Beverly D'Angelo as his wife Ellen Griswold.

Clark realises that he don't spend enough time with his kids and they are growing up so fast, so he decides to 'force' themClassic roadtrip comedy from the 80's with a hilarious Chevy Chase as the goofy father Clark Griswold and the beautiful Beverly D'Angelo as his wife Ellen Griswold.

Clark realises that he don't spend enough time with his kids and they are growing up so fast, so he decides to 'force' them to join him on a family trip to Walley's World. And why travel by airplane if you can enjoy the scenery much better going by car?

This funny movie brings back memories of summer holidays and annoying family members. The 1980's delivered some of the nicest comedy movies and this is one of my favorites. It's innocent fun, whenever I feel a bit down or sad I put on this movie and immediately feel a whole lot better!… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Rox22

Apr 21, 2015

If you've been on a family vacation, then I can guarantee this movie will relate to you in some way.

Granted the setting and styles are a bit dated, but the humor and theme of the movie are timeless. One thing that I enjoy about this movie (European and Christmas Vacation as well) isIf you've been on a family vacation, then I can guarantee this movie will relate to you in some way.

Granted the setting and styles are a bit dated, but the humor and theme of the movie are timeless.

One thing that I enjoy about this movie (European and Christmas Vacation as well) is the light hearted and fun humor, which isn't as common place today as it was in the 80s.

Overall:
National Lampoon's Vacation is one of those timeless comedies you will always get the urge to watch once in a while.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Bartholomew123

Jul 8, 2015

Chevy Chase makes everything better. He made Community funnier, and he made this movie gold. Its a family film which nobody should watch with their family. Crude, funny, and clever.

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DawdlingPoet

Nov 24, 2021

This is a film partly about being judged by your local community and forging your own way, I suppose. Its also about claustrophobia, self doubt and frustration. There are some fairly intense scenes with the couple arguing and it struck me that it would perhaps make more sense if viewed as aThis is a film partly about being judged by your local community and forging your own way, I suppose. Its also about claustrophobia, self doubt and frustration. There are some fairly intense scenes with the couple arguing and it struck me that it would perhaps make more sense if viewed as a play, rather than a film as such perhaps. I thought the incidental (background) music was quite good - its a fairly atmospheric watch at times. Its also quite raw and unsettling as well. It makes you question whats going on behind what you see, i.e. the facade. This isn't the most fast paced, exciting type watch, if your into action films and the like but for a film of this type, about a couples clashing over what their future holds and whats best for them, this is quite a decent film and overall I would recommend it, yes.… Expand

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Compi24

Apr 30, 2020

An inarguable classic that I've probably already seen in its entirety four or five times over (only out of order, however) "National Lampoon's Vacation" features what could be the quintessential Chevy Chase performance -- charismatic, charming, but with equal doses of both desperate andAn inarguable classic that I've probably already seen in its entirety four or five times over (only out of order, however) "National Lampoon's Vacation" features what could be the quintessential Chevy Chase performance -- charismatic, charming, but with equal doses of both desperate and crazy. There's a lot to like here, namely the film's second half, which really amps up the crazy, ultimately culminating in a truly enjoyable finish. The road getting there, though, can be much like the Griswold's own road trip -- bumpy, especially from a timelessness standpoint. Look, not every movie's going to age well. And "Vacation" certainly ages better than a lot of other films from its era of comedy. Still doesn't change the fact that there were simply some gags and bits in this that I probably would've found funnier in the year 1983. Not that I was "offended" or anything. Some jokes felt a little "been there done that" to me. Still, it's an absolute must-watch for fans of the road trip genre and comedies altogether.… Expand

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