Synopsis

Storyline:

Featuring rare and never before seen footage, this is the mind boggling story of The National Lampoon from its subversive and electrifying beginnings, to rebirth as an unlikely Hollywood heavyweight, and beyond. A humour empire like no other, the impact of the magazines irreverent, often shocking, sensibility was nothing short of seismic: this is an institution whose (drunk stoned brilliant) alumni left their fingerprints all over popular culture. Both insanely great and breathtakingly innovative, The National Lampoon created the foundation of modern comic sensibility by setting the bar in comedy impossibly high.

User Reviews: DRUNK STONED BRILLIANT DEAD: The Story of the National Lampoon (2015)

*** 1/2 (out of 4)

If you’re a fan of the National Lampoon’s magazine then you’re certainly going to want to check this documentary out. The rise and fall of the magazine is discussed in this highly entertaining documentary that features interviews with surviving members of the magazine as well as those who got their start in the movies like NATIONAL LAMPOON’S ANIMAL HOUSE, CADDYSHACK and NATIONAL LAMPOON’S VACATION.

There’s some really good material to have here but the documentary works the best for those who are unfamiliar with the magazine or just don’t know the complete history behind it. We get some great stories about the early days as well as how the magazine finally took off, which of course led to Hollywood calling. There’s some discussion of Saturday Night Live who stole a lot of their talent as well as some of the darker stories including the death of one of the founding members.

There are some great stories throughout this and there are some great interviews as well. I must say that the interview with Chevy Chase was probably my favorite because we really see a different side of him including a rather painful side as he talks about losing his best friend.