Are There Two Versions of Christmas Vacation?

By Michael Ferguson

Christmas Vacation is a classic holiday movie that has been a fan favorite since it first came out in 1989. However, over the years, there have been rumors circulating about the existence of two versions of the film. One version is said to be the original theatrical release, while the other is rumored to be an unedited version that contains more explicit language and adult content.

So, are there really two versions of Christmas Vacation? The short answer is no.

There is only one official version of the movie that was released in theaters and on home video. However, there are some minor differences between the theatrical release and the television broadcast version.

One of the main differences between the theatrical release and the television broadcast version of Christmas Vacation is that certain scenes were cut or edited for time constraints and to comply with broadcast standards. For example, in one scene where Clark Griswold (played by Chevy Chase) is trying to fix his Christmas lights, he becomes frustrated and starts to swear.

In the theatrical release, he says “Ow! Son of a…,” while in the television broadcast version, he says “Ow! My goof…”

Another scene that was edited for television involves Clark’s rant about his boss after receiving a jelly-of-the-month club membership as a Christmas bonus. In the theatrical release, Clark goes on an expletive-laden tirade about his boss that includes several F-bombs. In order to comply with FCC regulations, this scene was edited for television and several lines were removed or altered.

In addition to these minor differences, there have also been bootleg versions of Christmas Vacation circulating online that claim to be unedited or “uncensored” versions of the movie. However, these versions are not official releases and are likely just fan edits or unauthorized copies.

In conclusion, while there are some minor differences between the theatrical release and television broadcast version of Christmas Vacation, there is only one official version of the movie. The rumors about an unedited or “uncensored” version of the film are just that – rumors. So, whether you’re watching it on DVD, Blu-ray, or streaming it online, rest assured that you’re getting the same classic holiday movie that audiences have loved for over 30 years.