A Walk in the Woods (2015)

After spending two decades in England, Bill Bryson returns to the U.S., where he decides the best way to connect with his homeland is to hike the Appalachian Trail with one of his oldest friends.

Director:

Ken Kwapis

Writers:

Michael Arndt (screenplay) (as Rick Kerb), Bill Holderman (screenplay)

Stars:

Robert Redford, Nick Nolte, Emma Thompson

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Robert Redford	...	Bill Bryson
Nick Nolte	...	Stephen Katz
Emma Thompson	...	Catherine Bryson
Mary Steenburgen	...	Jeannie
Nick Offerman	...	REI Dave
Kristen Schaal	...	Mary Ellen
R. Keith Harris	...	Sam Bryson
Randall Newsome	...	TV Host
Hayley Lovitt	...	Donna
Linds Edwards	...	Darren
Susan McPhail	...	Beulah
Andrew Vogel	...	Young Hiker #1
Derek Krantz	...	Young Hiker #2
Gaia Wise	...	Becca
Tucker Meek	...	Grandson

Storyline

In this new comedy adventure, celebrated travel writer, Bill Bryson, instead of retiring to enjoy his loving and beautiful wife, and large and happy family, challenges himself to hike the Appalachian Trail - 2,200 miles of America's most unspoiled, spectacular and rugged countryside from Georgia to Maine. The peace and tranquility he hopes to find, though, is anything but, once he agrees to being accompanied by the only person he can find willing to join him on the trek - his long lost and former friend Katz, a down-on-his-luck serial philanderer who, after a lifetime of relying on his charm and wits to keep one step ahead of the law - sees the trip as a way to sneak out of paying some debts and sneak into one last adventure before its too late. The trouble is, the two have a completely different definition of the word, "adventure". Now they're about to find out that when you push yourself to the edge, the real fun begins.

---

Plot Keywords:

hiking | appalachian trail | friendship | campground | hiker | 

---

Taglines:

This Labor Day, Take a Hike

---

Genres:

Adventure | Biography | Comedy | Drama

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and some sexual references

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

2 September 2015 (USA)

Also Known As:

Picknick mit Bären

Filming Locations:

Fontana Dam, North Carolina, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$8,400,000 (USA) (4 September 2015)

Gross:

$29,467,855 (USA) (27 November 2015)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Route One Entertainment, Wildwood Enterprises

Technical Specs

Runtime:

104 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In the book they hear a noise outside their tent. They never actually confirmed it was a bear.

---

Goofs

Bryson can be seen entering the laundromat with his clothes in a Mountain Hardwear Lamina 15 sleeping bag storage sack, but when Bryson awakes in the tent after hearing bears, we can see he is in a sleeping bag made by Big Agnes.

---

Quotes

Bill Bryson: [At night, when a female hiker is loudly singing, in an annoying tone, at a late hour] Tomorrow morning, we get up early, before she's awake, and we get a headstart, and lose her.
Stephen Katz: That's a good idea. Better than my idea.
Bill Bryson: What was your idea?
Stephen Katz: We kill her, and steal her Pop Tarts.

---

Connections

Referenced in Half in the Bag: 2015 Re-Cap (So Far) (2015)

---

Soundtracks

Crop Comes In
Written by Dave Wilson
Performed by Chatham County Line
Courtesy of Yep Roc Records
By arrangement with Ocean Park Music Group

User Reviews

Fun and Intelligent Hike

I truly enjoyed this movie, had all experienced, professional actors and actresses and it showed. Those critics that say there is no plot or drama are either too young to appreciate the aging life lessons and insights or too serious and particular and need to lighten up. I, and many in the theater, had quite a few laugh out loud moments. This is a movie for the more mature, intelligent crowd. Not for someone looking for a tense drama, or twitch action flick. I have not read the book but have read reviews that stated the book was even better so I know what my next read will be. This movie had some great nature shots of the AT which was an added bonus. Thought Nick Nolte and Robert Redford were good casting for their characters.