National Lampoon's European Vacation (1985) — Screenplay
A bumbling American family wins a European trip and wreaks havoc across the continent, struggling to enjoy their dream vacation.
- Written by
- John Hughes, Robert Klane
- Genre
- Comedy, Adventure
- Studio
- Warner Bros., National Lampoon
- Length
- 137 pages
This comedy offers a masterclass in ensemble timing and escalating farce, as the Griswalds' misadventures spiral from minor mix-ups to full-blown chaos. Study its structure for how repeated running gags build momentum, and its dialogue for witty, character-driven banter that keeps the pace brisk.
Read the full National Lampoon's European Vacation (1985) screenplay in PDF, page by page, right here on Laper — or download the original script to study John Hughes, Robert Klane’s scene work, dialogue and structure at your own pace. A free resource for screenwriters and film students learning Hollywood script format.