If It's Tuesday, This Must Be Belgium

If It's Tuesday, This Must Be Belgium is a delightful 1969 comedy film that successfully captures the surreal and often chaotic nature of whirlwind European tourist expeditions. The film, directed by Mel Stuart, comically encapsulates the frantic tempo and often confusing itineraries characteristic of American tour groups navigating unfamiliar geographies during the swell of the '60s travel boom. With a talented cast led by Suzanne Pleshette, Ian McShane, and Vittorio De Sica, it manages to create a delightful satire of travel, exploring how one can lose oneself in the bustle of touristic escapades, cultural faux pas, and brief but meaningful connections formed en route.

The film follows a group of American tourists as they embark on a grueling 18-day grand tour of nine European countries, instantly setting the stage for inevitable confusion and antics. The tour of culturally rich cities - from London to Rome, with Brussels, Amsterdam, Lucerne, and others in between - occurs at a breakneck pace that inspires the running joke referred to in the film's title. The humor plays out primarily in punchlines derived from cultural and character-driven situations, elevating the narrative beyond a travel novel to an exploration of complex human relationships and interactions in a rapidly globalizing world.

The central plot revolves around Charlie (Ian McShane), a passionate, charming, and brash British tour guide juggling multiple responsibilities while trying to ensure his American clients get the most of their trip. He's the charismatic mediator between Europe's rich cultural heritage and the often comically baffled tourists keen on capturing their experiences in a flurry of photographs and souvenirs. His job becomes more interesting when he encounters beautiful American tourist Samantha (Suzanne Pleshette), setting off sparks for a potential romantic relationship.

Amidst the sightseeing and factual blunders, the film also explores an ensemble of fascinating, lighthearted subplots involving the motley crew of tourists. This colorful ensemble includes couples, single adults, and even families, each with their unique quirks, expectations from the trip, and transformative encounters. The characters' different backgrounds and personalities offer an insightful look at American touristic attitudes and expectations of Europe, producing more humorous encounters and lessons learned in the context of accelerated travel.

Notable among the supporting cast is Italian film legend Vittorio De Sica, who appears in an engaging subplot as a suave, debonair thief targeting unsuspecting tourists. This subplot adds a layer of intrigue to the typically comedic narrative, showcasing the pros and cons of tourism, as seen from the European perspective.

Though the film could easily fall into the trap of being a mindless catalogue of clichéd situations and tourist vignettes, it manages to transcend this limitation by delving into the humorous paradoxes that abound in the experience of a rushed, too-much-too-soon vacation. The film offers a clever commentary on the nature of the mass tour industry while simultaneously humanizing the individuals involved - both the sightseers and the sightseen.

Crucially, If It's Tuesday, This Must Be Belgium is enriched by the admirable on-location shooting in the cities visited on the whirlwind tour. This not only lends a high degree of authenticity to the film but also doubles as a wonderfully nostalgic time capsule of late 1960s Europe, full of sights and sounds that transport the viewer back to an era when continent hopping was a thrilling novelty for many. This film brilliantly bridges the gap between adventure and comedy, exploring timeless themes of culture shock, contrast between American and European lifestyles, and the chaotic, yet charming, nature of packaged tours.

In conclusion, If It's Tuesday, This Must Be Belgium is a sophisticated, charming, and hilarious film. It's an ingenious commentary on the 1960s tourist boom that takes viewers on an unforgettable comedic journey through Europe. The film utilizes its touristic premise as the foundation for witty cultural observations, character growth, and lighthearted romance, giving audiences a comedic ‘travelogue’ that remains relevant and entertaining even several decades after its initial release.