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IMDbPro

Don't Go in the Woods

  • 19811981
  • RR
  • 1h 22m
IMDb RATING
3.8/10
3.3K
YOUR RATING
Tom Drury, Cecilia Fannon, Alma Ramos, James P. Hayden, and Nick Cleland in Don't Go in the Woods (1981)
HorrorThriller
Four friends camping in the woods inadvertently stumble upon the domain of a maniacal killer.Four friends camping in the woods inadvertently stumble upon the domain of a maniacal killer.Four friends camping in the woods inadvertently stumble upon the domain of a maniacal killer.
IMDb RATING
3.8/10
3.3K
YOUR RATING
    • James Bryan
    • Garth Eliassen(original story)
  • Stars
    • Nick Cleland
    • Mary Gail Artz
    • James P. Hayden
    • James Bryan
    • Garth Eliassen(original story)
  • Stars
    • Nick Cleland
    • Mary Gail Artz
    • James P. Hayden
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 101User reviews
    • 89Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 1:09
    Watch Trailer

    Photos96

    The Forest (1982)
    Don't Go in the Woods (1981)
    Don't Go in the Woods (1981)
    Ken Carter in Don't Go in the Woods (1981)
    David Barth and Ken Carter in Don't Go in the Woods (1981)
    Jonathan Bliss in Don't Go in the Woods (1981)
    Cecilia Fannon in Don't Go in the Woods (1981)
    Tom Ruff in Don't Go in the Woods (1981)
    Angie Brown in Don't Go in the Woods (1981)
    Don't Go in the Woods (1981)
    James P. Hayden in Don't Go in the Woods (1981)
    Frank Millen in Don't Go in the Woods (1981)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Nick Cleland
    • Peter
    • (as Jack McClelland)
    Mary Gail Artz
    Mary Gail Artz
    • Ingrid
    James P. Hayden
    James P. Hayden
    • Craig
    Angie Brown
    Angie Brown
    • Joanne
    Ken Carter
    Ken Carter
    • Sheriff
    David Barth
    • Deputy Benson
    Larry Roupe
    • Store Owner
    Aimee Martel
    • Artist's Child
    • (as Amy Martell)
    Tom Drury
    Tom Drury
    • Maniac
    Laura Trefts
    • Dr. Maggie
    Alma Ramos
    • Victim - Running Girl
    Carolyn Braza
    Carolyn Braza
    • Victim - Cherry
    Frank Millen
    Frank Millen
    • Victim - Dick
    • (as Frank Clitus Muller)
    Jonathan Bliss
    • Victim - Bird Watcher
    • (as Mc Cormick Dalten)
    Cecilia Fannon
    Cecilia Fannon
    • Victim - Lady Artist
    • (as Cecelia Fannon)
    Dale Angell
    Dale Angell
    • Victim - Tourist at Falls
    Ruth Grose
    • Victim - Tourist's Mother
    Henry Zinman
    • Victim - Fisherman
    • (as Hank Zinman)
      • James Bryan
      • Garth Eliassen(original story) (screenplay)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      According to James Bryan, actor Gerry Klein, who plays the guy killed in the wheelchair, was once at a screening of the movie and couldn't quit laughing during his scenes. This annoyed a woman sitting in front of him. She turned and said to him 'that's not funny, what if that was YOU in that wheelchair?' , which only made Klein laugh more.
    • Quotes

      Craig: [tying Joanne in a sleeping bag] Now I've got you, bitch! Let's hear you say uncle! Say uncle! Say it, bag of bitch! Say it! Say it, bag of bitch! Say it! Say uncle!

    • Alternate versions
      Although fully uncut in terms of violence, the 2007 UK Film 2000 DVD is completely missing both the synthesized soundtrack and other source music. The infamous theme song (played over the closing credits) is the only music featured in the print.
    • Connections
      Featured in Don't Go in the Woods: Cast & Crew (2006)

    User reviews101

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    5/10
    "Come out of there, you pencil necked geek!"
    There's "so bad it's good" cinema and then there's director James Bryans' "Don't Go in the Woods". This thing truly reaches a pinnacle of laughable absurdity. While it's not going to appeal to everybody, it's got a highly respectable go for broke attitude, an amazing body count, lots and lots of gore (once it gets going), terrible acting & writing, and a generous amount of belly laughs. These all make it extremely engaging entertainment.

    Despite the title, there's plenty of people stupid enough to go into the woods and help our merry maniac (Tom Drury) reach record numbers. Grunting like a constipated pirate, and sporting a hilarious wardrobe, the killer goes about his business. Four outdoorsy types make up our main characters: Peter (Jack McClelland), Ingrid (Mary Gail Artz), Craig (James P. Hayden), and Joanie (Angie Brown).

    Bryan swears that he intended this to be a comedy, and it's not that hard to believe him, given how utterly ridiculous his movie is. It hits the ground running - the first person to die bites it within the first three minutes - and delivers sadistic dark humour and bucket loads of blood. Bryans' explanation for the motive behind this murder spree is one of the worst / best that you're likely to hear. Our victims are a colourful bunch - an older couple making out, an artist, an ornithologist, etc. The randomness of the whole thing is delicious.

    The dialogue and performances are just uproarious at times. Watch when one character sights the dead body of a friend, and marvel at the faces that they make. The cherry on this sundae is one of the most idiotic music scores that this viewer has ever heard, supplemented by a giggle inducing end credits song that borrows from the Teddy Bears' Picnic.

    Objectively speaking, "Don't Go in the Woods" is flat out garbage. But for certain tastes, it's mighty fine garbage.

    Co-star Artz actually went on to become a prolific casting director; her first credit in that capacity was "Halloween II", from the same year as this.

    Five out of 10.
    helpful•5
    1
    • Hey_Sweden
    • Mar 22, 2015

    FAQ4

    • Is this film a remake or is it going to be remade?
    • Is there a sequel? Was this film a sequel itself?
    • Is there a DVD?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 20, 1981 (United States)
      • United States
      • English
    • Also known as
    • Filming locations
      • Park City, Utah, USA
    • Production company
      • JBF
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • 1 hour 22 minutes
      • Color
      • Mono

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    Tom Drury, Cecilia Fannon, Alma Ramos, James P. Hayden, and Nick Cleland in Don't Go in the Woods (1981)
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