Directed by Harold Ramis and based on a script by John Hughes, 1983’s National Lampoon’s Vacation will be relatable for anyone whose parents ever dragged them on a long road trip during their childhood. Armed with a new pea green station wagon, the Griswold family—led by Clark (Chevy Chase), his wife Ellen (Beverly D’Angelo) and their two kids, Rusty (Anthony Michael Hall) and Audrey (Dana Barron)—pile into the family car for a trip from Chicago to California’s Walley World. A Walt Disney World-esque theme park whose figurehead, Marty Moose provides an enthusiastic theme song for the family to sing at the outset of their journey.

While the rest of the family doesn’t share Clark’s enthusiasm, they won’t be bored during the days-long journey. Faced with everything losing all their cash to an unexpected detour through the desert, it will take every ounce of Clark’s good-natured enthusiasm to get the family to Walley World. A well-meaning, if bumbling guy, Clark Griswold is Chevy Chase at his best. He’s a man who works a lot to support his family. As a result, he tries to make it up to his family by planning grand vacations. Driven by various familial misadventures, National Lampoon’s Vacation unfolds as a series of vignettes rather than a cohesive story. Nonetheless, the natural humor makes up for any faults in the overall plot.

Photographed on 35mm film and presented in the 1.85:1 theatrical aspect ratio, National Lampoon’s Vacation includes HDR10 high dynamic range. While there’s an overall softness, the natural film grain is pleasing. Colors are vivid without being oversaturated. Detail is quite good, revealing facial and fabric textures. Blacks are full without crush. Contrast is also good, offering pleasing whites and strong shadow detail.

The disc’s DTS-HD MA 2.0 mono track is standard stuff but serves this dialogue heavy film well. Fidelity is good with nice dynamic range. Dialogue is clean, clear and concise throughout.

English SDH, Spanish and French subtitles are included:

  • Audio Commentary with Director Harold Ramis, Actors Chevy Chase, Randy Quaid, Anthony Michael Hall and Dana Barron, and Producer Matty Simmons