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:

This holiday's no picnic.

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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

Connie's dress falls on the floor when Chet is seducing her, but when Roman and his family show up, Chet takes the dress off the counter.

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Quotes

Chet: Bear... bear... Big Bear... big bear chase meeeeeeee...!

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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

References Twilight Zone (1959)

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Soundtracks

"Big Country"
Written by Bruce Gowdy, Billy Sherwood, and Peter Aykroyd
Performed & Produced by Joe Walsh

User Reviews

one of John Candy's best

I watch this movie, and then i feel terrible that a great comedian is gone.. You can have your kinnison, farley, etc. But Candy, is probaly one of the over looked, and slumped into thecheap renters.. but you know why they used him as the lead in so many.. Because he is/was a kindly looking man, and was from what i have read of him.. And this is probaly the pinnacle of the greatness of Candy. And the whole bear scene steals the whole show. I just wish all the canadian actors/comedians didn't have to go south.. come on Canadian cinema drop the docu-drama and work with our funny bones.. We are wasting our real natural resource here.. Again best Candy flick of all, IMHO.