The Great Outdoors (1988)

A Chicago man's hope for a peaceful family vacation in the woods is shattered when the annoying in-laws drop in.

Director:

Howard Deutch

Writer:

John Hughes

Stars:

Dan Aykroyd, John Candy, Stephanie Faracy

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Dan Aykroyd	...	Roman Craig
John Candy	...	Chet Ripley
Stephanie Faracy	...	Connie Ripley
Annette Bening	...	Kate Craig
Chris Young	...	Buck Ripley
Ian Giatti	...	Ben Ripley
Hilary Gordon	...	Cara Craig
Rebecca Gordon	...	Mara Craig
Robert Prosky	...	Wally
Zoaunne LeRoy	...	Juanita
Lucy Deakins	...	Cammie
Nancy Lenehan	...	Waitress
John Bloom	...	Jimbo
Lewis Arquette	...	Herm
Britt Leach	...	Reg

Storyline

Big-hearted Chicago family man Chet has brought his family to a lakeside resort area, and although his wife and kids aren't quite as excited as he is, Chet has high hopes for the vacation. However, his optimism is sabotaged when his obnoxious brother-in-law Roman drops in unexpectedly, along with his snooty, strange family. Chet and his family try to stay open-minded, but they find it difficult to relax and enjoy themselves because of the constant annoyance of Roman's presence.

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Plot Keywords:

twin | brother in law | lingerie slip | water skiing | raccoon | 

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Taglines:

A week in the woods with Roman and Chet: This is no holiday...this is war!

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Genres:

Comedy

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 June 1988 (USA)

Also Known As:

Big Country

Filming Locations:

Bass Lake, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$24,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$41,455,230 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hughes Entertainment, Universal Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This movie was originally titled "Big Country"

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Goofs

During the game room Buck and Cammie scene, when Buck puts his stick between Cammie's legs and she turns and flings the stick, Buck loses his stick. It is Cammie's stick shown in Buck's hands in the following picture because she throws hers in Buck's hands.

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Quotes

Chet: If you meet any friends, bring them back and we'll give them a ride in "Suck My Wake."

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Crazy Credits

Subtitled conversation between two raccoons -- Raccoon #1: "Why's Jody sitting in the lake?" Raccoon #2: "You didn't hear? She got shot in the ass!" Raccoon #1: "Oh no! Don't tell me..." Raccoon #2: "Yup... She's bald on both ends now!"

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Connections

Referenced in She's Having a Baby (1988)

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Soundtracks

"Dragboat"
Written & Produced by Tom Scott
Performed by The Elwood Blues Revue (as Elwood Blues Revue) and Tom Scott

User Reviews

One of my 80's favorites

As a child of the eighties, its hard not to view this film thru the lens of nostalgia. John Candy is hilarious as the simple but decent family guy who wishes to take his family on a vacation to the great outdoors. His plans are rudely disrupted by his boorish brother in law, who crashes the family event and manages to disrupt all of Candy's plans. While there's nothing particularly stunning or insightful here, its fun and reminds me of days gone by. Although seen thru the eye of comedians, many of us can remember "disastrous" family vacations like this, with relatives that we sometimes couldn't stand and plans gone awry, but still forming some of our most fond memories. It is also somewhat bittersweet for me, as most of the beautiful and rustic locales in the film have disappeared during the intervening years, a loss I hadn't even noticed or thought about until I watched the film again. The film is very family friendly and, if you haven't seen it, definitely worth a viewing.