There is no catharsis. No one learns a lesson. The infamous final shot (which I won’t spoil, but involves a static camera and a long, long silence) is one of the most nihilistic endings in Italian cinema. It suggests that the vacation is permanent. There is no return to the office, no return to normalcy. This is the new normal: the slow rot of a society that has exhausted its ideologies.
As of 2025, La Vacanza remains notoriously difficult to find. The rights are owned by a small Roman distribution company, and no major streaming service currently carries it. However, a 4K restoration was announced in 2023 by the Cineteca di Bologna, with a planned theatrical re-release for the film’s 55th anniversary in 2026. The Vacation -La Vacanza- - Tinto Brass 1971 -S...
In addition, "The Vacation" has become a cult classic, with a dedicated following of fans who appreciate its unique blend of humor, drama, and social commentary. The film's influence can be seen in everything from the works of Harmony Korine to the more recent output of Italian filmmakers like Gabriele Mainetti. There is no catharsis
For now, your best bet is to seek out the 2002 Italian DVD (Region 2, no English subtitles) or the rare British VHS from 1989 titled The Vacation: A Film by Tinto Brass . Beware of YouTube uploads—they are invariably taken from a fifth-generation copy of the French broadcast, with the Jimmy Page guitar solo badly compressed. It suggests that the vacation is permanent