Was National Lampoon’s European Vacation Filmed in Europe?

National Lampoon’s European Vacation is a classic comedy film with many memorable moments. It follows the Griswold family as they embark on a trip to Europe, encountering various mishaps and hilarity along the way. One question that often arises about the film is whether it was actually filmed in Europe or not.

Location of Filming

Contrary to what you might expect, National Lampoon’s European Vacation was not entirely filmed in Europe. While some scenes were indeed shot on location in countries like England, France, and Germany, most of the filming actually took place in California.

Why Was It Filmed in California?

There are several reasons why the filmmakers chose to shoot most of the scenes in California instead of Europe. For one thing, it was simply more cost-effective to do so. Filming overseas can be expensive due to factors such as travel costs and logistics.

Another reason was that it allowed for more control over the filming process. By shooting in California, the filmmakers could ensure that everything was done exactly as they wanted it, without having to worry about unexpected weather or other issues that can arise when filming on location.

Which Scenes Were Filmed in Europe?

Despite being mostly filmed in California, there are still several scenes in National Lampoon’s European Vacation that were shot on location in Europe. Some of these include:

• The opening scene at Heathrow Airport
• The scene where the Griswolds get lost driving around London
• The scenes at Stonehenge
• The Paris scenes, including the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame Cathedral
• The German beer festival scene

How Were These Scenes Filmed?

When it came time to shoot these scenes on location in Europe, the filmmakers faced a number of challenges. For one thing, they had to deal with the fact that they were working in unfamiliar locations with different laws and regulations than they were used to.

They also had to work around the schedules of various tourist attractions and landmarks, which can be difficult when you’re trying to film a movie. Additionally, they had to contend with weather conditions and other unexpected obstacles that can arise when filming on location.

In Conclusion

So, was National Lampoon’s European Vacation filmed in Europe? The answer is yes and no.

While some scenes were indeed shot on location in various European countries, most of the filming was done in California for practical reasons. Nonetheless, the film remains a beloved classic that captures the spirit of European travel in a way that still resonates with audiences today.