Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #820 in DVD
• Released on: 2001-10-08
• Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
• Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: Anamorphic, Dubbed, PAL, Widescreen
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: Arabic, Bulgarian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, German, Hungarian, Icelandic, Norwegian, Polish, Romanian, Swedish, Turkish
• Dubbed in: German
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 88 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
Given the presence of both Steve Martin and John Candy, one would expect this John Hughes comedy to be much, much funnier than it is. Certainly it's not for lack of effort on the part of its stars. Martin is an uptight businessman trying to get home from New York for the holidays. But one thing after another gets in his way--most of it having to do with Candy, a boorish but well-meaning boob who takes a liking to him. Together they travel all over the map; no matter how hard Martin tries to shake him, he can't. But Hughes's writing is never as sharp as it should be and this film winds up being only intermittently humorous. --Marshall Fine

Special Features
1.78 Anamorphic Wide Screen
German
English
English
Region 2
Dolby Digital 5.1 English\Surround German
Dolby Digital 5.1
Surround
Arabic\Bulgarian\Czech\Danish\Dutch\Finnish\German\Hungarian\Icelandic\Norwegian\Polish\Romanian\Swedish\Turkish

Synopsis
All Neal Page (Steve Martin) wants to do is make it home from a business trip in New York City and spend Thanksgiving with his family in Chicago. Instead, he finds himself rerouted from New York's La Guardia Airport to Wichita, Kansas. With no other options, Neal decides to share a room in a fleabag hotel with Del Griffith (John Candy), a shower-curtain-ring salesman and fellow stranded traveler. Although Neal finds Del to be a buffoon, he just can't seem to get away from him. To make matters worse, all their efforts to get back to Chicago fail as trains break down and rental cars catch on fire. Along the way they encounter crazy cabbies, redneck truck drivers, and oversexed bus passengers. John Hughes's (SIXTEEN CANDLES, THE BREAKFAST CLUB) first film to feature adults after his success with teen films features fine performances from Martin and Candy. Kevin Bacon, who appeared in Hughes's next film, SHE'S HAVING A BABY, makes a small but humorous appearance, as does Edie McClurg, known for her role as the high school secretary in FERRIS BUELLER'S DAY OFF.

Customer Reviews

So much more than just a comedy...
i saw this on video back in the eighties and have never stopped telling people just how good this is. To be honest just about anything post about 1975 from Hollywood I wouldn't usually touch with a barge pole but I'm just glad I saw this when I still gave some Hollywood-type films the benefit of the doubt. As well as being funny in just about every way....perfectly drawn characters, wonderful acting from both of the stars and an amazing script that unlike so many comedy films that start promisingly never flags in the slightest to cap it all it is also genuinely poignant and moving without going anywhere near sentimentality. Not just my favourite comedy ever but easily one of my all time top ten films of any kind...

High class comedy
Like other reviewers have said the Amazon review of this film is at best misleading. All films are subjective, but this is much better than their reviewer makes out IMO. Its consistently funny, with Steve Martin delivering one of his best performances. Indeed without Martin it would have been merely an average film. He takes it to another level. This is not to say that John Candy is bad, he isn't, but Steve Martin is the reason to see the film.

Essentially its a string of comedic set pieces, the train, the Motel, the car etc. Each of these have great moments, perhaps none better than the Motel where they find they have to share a bed. Theres also a lovely joke in the back of a flat bed truck with a dog in very cold weather.

My only criticism is the 80's music, which to fair I didn't like in the 80's! This has dated badly now. I also have mixed feelings about the ending as well. A little bit too soppy for my liking.

Overall though a fine movie with excellent performances, many laugh out loud moments, and a film that you can watch many times without being bored by it (mainly because of Steve Martin).

Planes, Trains & Automobiles = Fun, Laughter & Humour
Even although it was released before I was even born I just love this film, it has been on my shelf ever since I took it from my Dad's DVD collection. I hadn't heard of it and thought it being 80's I was expecting it to be a bit cheesy. I was in for such a shock. It is an immense film. I love it, it's one of those films you can watch again and again. It's one of those DVD's that should be in EVERYONE's DVD collection! If your a fan of Steve Martin or John Candy then this is for you, if you enjoy a laugh - this is for you! Don't think about it just buy it!