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Amazon.co.uk Review
Set in 1969, the year in which the hippy dreams of so many young Englishmen went sour, 1986's Bruce Robinson's Withnail and I is an enduring British cult. Fellow enthusiasts cry immortal phrases from the endlessly brilliant script to one another like mating calls; "Scrubbers!", "We want the finest wines known to humanity and we want them now!" Withnail is played by the emaciated but defiantly effete Richard E Grant, "I" (i.e., Marwood) by Paul McGann. Out-of-work actors living in desperate penury in a rancid London flat, their lives are a continual struggle to keep warm, alive and in Marwood's case sane, until the pubs open. A sojourn in the country cottage of Withnail's gay Uncle Monty only redoubles their privations--they have to kill a live chicken to eat. The arrival of Monty spells further misery for Marwood as he must fend off his attentions. This borderline homophobic interlude apart, Withnail and I is a delight, enhanced by an aimless but appallingly eventful plot. Popular among students, it strikes a chord with anyone who has undergone a period of debauchery and impoverished squalor prior to finding their way onto life's straight and narrow.--David Stubbs
Special Features
Wide Screen
DVD 9
English
Region 2
Dolby Digital 5.1 English
Dolby Digital 5.1
Documentary Withnail And Us
Original Theatrical Trailer
Commentary By Paul McGann And Ralph Brown
Behind The Scenes Stills By Ralph Steadman
DVD 9
English
Region 2
Dolby Digital 5.1 English
Dolby Digital 5.1
Documentary Withnail And Us
Original Theatrical Trailer
Commentary By Paul McGann And Ralph Brown
Behind The Scenes Stills By Ralph Steadman
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
22 of 22 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
For the 20th anniversary of this 1986 production a 3 disc set has been assembled which contains a host of extras which includes a director's commentary, a channel 4 documentary and the stunning soundtrack.
This comedy about a couple of out of work actors which stars Richard E Grant and Paul McGann set at the tail end of the 60's who escape their squalid London flat to go to on a holiday in the Lake District, the rich dialogue which contains and ever increasing amount of insults really starts to flow once all involved start drinking heavily.
This is an excellent package for a film that has a huge cult following since its release, a rare example of stunning British cinema given the re-release it deserves a must see film.
This comedy about a couple of out of work actors which stars Richard E Grant and Paul McGann set at the tail end of the 60's who escape their squalid London flat to go to on a holiday in the Lake District, the rich dialogue which contains and ever increasing amount of insults really starts to flow once all involved start drinking heavily.
This is an excellent package for a film that has a huge cult following since its release, a rare example of stunning British cinema given the re-release it deserves a must see film.
60 of 64 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
There's not much else to add to the glowing reviews of this film which is by far the best movie I have ever seen (and I've seen quite a few) except to draw a parallel between the character of Withnail and a Shakesperian tragic hero. I know that there are students of literature out there who will baulk at the very idea but that's probably because they are too snobby to consider a film like this a work of art. But it is. I must have watched this film 50 times but I never cease to feel a cathartic chill run down my spine when Marwood says goodbye to Withnail in the end:
'I shall miss you Withnail.'
'I shall miss you too. Chin chin.'
This scene is one of the most moving I have ever seen. The drunken fool Withnail, at whom and with whom with have laughed, and who has spent the whole film not giving a toss about his friend, is suddenly and breathtakingly turned into the tragic hero he is and all the laughing gets stuck in your throat so suddenly that you feel shocked and guilty that you have laughed at all. Withnail's pathetically sad attempts to get Marwood to have one last drink are shockingly tragic. 'There's always time for a drink.' If that is not Shakespearian, I don't know what is. But it gets better (or worse depending on how you look at it) with Withnail's final solioquy, delivered in the pouring rain to a pack of miserable wolves...it is his final great act and the tragedy is no-one is there to see it except the wolves. When he walks off into the distance, you are left stunned (well I am) just like when you see Othello unexpectedly stick the dagger in his own heart.
Withnail and I is described and reviewed as a comedy, but I see it as a tragi-comedy. If Withnail and I was just a comedy, we would have long forgotten it. In many ways, it is a brilliant comedy but it is much more than that. I guess we all take out of art what we want and according to how we see the world. I can only speak for myself when I say that Withnail and I is the most beautifully crafted film I have ever seen. I happily confess that it helps to be British (esp. English) and male, but I would argue that anyone over, say, 18 who doesn't feel that carthatic chill at the final scene, is not fully human.
For those of you (and there are a couple) who say they don't like the film, all I can say is: 'Very, very, foolish words man.'
'I shall miss you Withnail.'
'I shall miss you too. Chin chin.'
This scene is one of the most moving I have ever seen. The drunken fool Withnail, at whom and with whom with have laughed, and who has spent the whole film not giving a toss about his friend, is suddenly and breathtakingly turned into the tragic hero he is and all the laughing gets stuck in your throat so suddenly that you feel shocked and guilty that you have laughed at all. Withnail's pathetically sad attempts to get Marwood to have one last drink are shockingly tragic. 'There's always time for a drink.' If that is not Shakespearian, I don't know what is. But it gets better (or worse depending on how you look at it) with Withnail's final solioquy, delivered in the pouring rain to a pack of miserable wolves...it is his final great act and the tragedy is no-one is there to see it except the wolves. When he walks off into the distance, you are left stunned (well I am) just like when you see Othello unexpectedly stick the dagger in his own heart.
Withnail and I is described and reviewed as a comedy, but I see it as a tragi-comedy. If Withnail and I was just a comedy, we would have long forgotten it. In many ways, it is a brilliant comedy but it is much more than that. I guess we all take out of art what we want and according to how we see the world. I can only speak for myself when I say that Withnail and I is the most beautifully crafted film I have ever seen. I happily confess that it helps to be British (esp. English) and male, but I would argue that anyone over, say, 18 who doesn't feel that carthatic chill at the final scene, is not fully human.
For those of you (and there are a couple) who say they don't like the film, all I can say is: 'Very, very, foolish words man.'
32 of 34 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Firstly, Withnail and I is probably my favorite film of all time and therefore, obviously the 3 stars does not relate to the movie itself but to the DVD format. Its good to see a digital quality 'Withnail' after years of over used VHS but the whole package could have been much better.
If you are going to quote (as the product packagers do) the most quoted film of all time, you had better try to get it right. On the booklet inside the case is the quote "I feel like somebody crapped on my head". This line does not appear in the film at all. I think they are misquoting Withnails line "I feel like a pig sh** on my head". Not really that close, is it. It just seems as though the designers vaguely guessed and couldnt be bothered to check for themselves. The box also states that our 2 heroes spend a 'week in the country'. Again Withnail anoraks everywhere will know that of course its only a weekend.
This may all sound a little pedantic but it smacks of laziness on the part of the packagers which is irritating given the superb movie in the box.
The Paul Mcgann and Ralph Brown voice over is a waste of time really although the documentary 'Withnail and us' is good value.
Overall, a shoddy way to treat the greatest British movie ever made.
Much more of this and I am going to apply for Meals on Wheels..........
If you are going to quote (as the product packagers do) the most quoted film of all time, you had better try to get it right. On the booklet inside the case is the quote "I feel like somebody crapped on my head". This line does not appear in the film at all. I think they are misquoting Withnails line "I feel like a pig sh** on my head". Not really that close, is it. It just seems as though the designers vaguely guessed and couldnt be bothered to check for themselves. The box also states that our 2 heroes spend a 'week in the country'. Again Withnail anoraks everywhere will know that of course its only a weekend.
This may all sound a little pedantic but it smacks of laziness on the part of the packagers which is irritating given the superb movie in the box.
The Paul Mcgann and Ralph Brown voice over is a waste of time really although the documentary 'Withnail and us' is good value.
Overall, a shoddy way to treat the greatest British movie ever made.
Much more of this and I am going to apply for Meals on Wheels..........
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
If you can't remember the 60's, ...don't worry. Neither can they.
(THE FILM)--
Withnail And I portrays the last throes of an eccentric friendship during the final days of the sixties. Read more
Withnail And I portrays the last throes of an eccentric friendship during the final days of the sixties. Read more
Published 1 month ago by S. F. husseiny
You are invited to spend an hilarious weekend in the English...
This is a thoroughly entertaining 108 minutes of humorous entertainment, a few too many drinks, a convincing 60's atmosphere, superb performances from the excellent cast, and music... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Lord Anon
Not perfect, just very good, but on so many levels.
This is one of those strange cult films that you'll find yourself re-watching and re-watching, savouring the little details. Read more
Published 6 months ago by count orlok
Very poor version of a great film
This is one of my favourite films but this version is shamefully poor. The sound and visual quality are terrible and there are no extras. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Billy B
The definitive and inimitable 'dialogue' black comedy EVER made!
My personal number ONE film. A true cult masterpiece. Bruce Robinson's Withnail & I is a delightful mixture of sadness, despair, frustration and penury brought to life with... Read more
Published 7 months ago by David G Parr
Hmmmm?
Two squatters - they like to have drink or three. They go to see one of their uncles, and borrow his cottage in Penrith. They drive up to Penrith, have a few more drinks. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Mr. P. Fixter
Good purchase
This was a good purchase. It had some marks on the disk but this did not affect playing. Delivery prompt and well wrapped.
Published 10 months ago by Disco Dolly
Should have been better
Firstly I, like many others here, love this film. It's the most watched movie in my collection & this review is in comparison to that earlier DVD release. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Mr. S. Adams
Reading Too Much?
When I first watched this film I ended up with an interpretation that I have not seen mentioned anywhere else. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Andy PW
A brillant film
Most films I see these days are rubbish - in many cases what used to be banned when imported as horror comics.
This is a fantastic exception. Read more
This is a fantastic exception. Read more
Published 11 months ago by William R. Woods
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