Withnail And I

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Film Description

Two 'resting' actors are offered the use of Uncle Monty's Lakeland retreat as an escape from the grime of the city. They don't bargain for the endless rain, the local characters and the attentions of Monty himself. Beautifully scripted, this is a true cult film that deserves all the plaudits it gets.

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1 disc version.

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5 Stills

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Reviews & Articles

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Review by Jill Clayden on 7th June 2004

As far as I know Withnail and I captures a particular time, place and sentiment that no other film does. As well as being enormously funny, the film is also extremely poignant. I am thinking in particular of that time, the end of the 60's, which was both the end of a chapter in the lives of the 2 actors, and also the end of a glorious, though flawed period for those of us, having lived through an explosion of creativity and possibilities that was previously undreamt of. There are so many gems in this film, both visual and verbal that I find it impossible to single one out as being the best. I think it is for this reason that I watch the film over and over, as the whole film is in fact a complete joy. Massively nostalgic and evocative, the film is never sentimental, but instead, sensitively portrays great vulnerability, affection, and unfulfilled ambitions in a way that we can all relate to.

I feel that I knew people just like that, in 60's London, though I probably didn't, not quite in that way. I'm so glad I was "around" in the 60's, and yes I remember it, and yes, I really was there.

Review by Dan Macklin on 5th April 2004

Withnail (Grant) and Marwood (McGann) are two out-of work actors living in a squalid Camden Town flat, who decide to take a break in the country to "rejuvenate". They purloin a cottage from Withnail's corpulent and obviously-gay Uncle Monty (Griffiths), who then tails them to their destination having, it eventually transpires, been led to believe - incorrectly - by Withnail that Marwood is of a similar, erm, 'bent' to himself. Marwood has to use his wits to fend off Monty's advances before discovering that he has landed a role at a Manchester theatre. The pair return to London briefly before Marwood takes off, leaving Withnail to muse on an uncertain future in solitude.

This, basically, is the story of Withnail And I, but there is little real plot as such. This is more like a series of loosely-related sketches, and deeper analysis is fairly speculative and arbitrary. Is the despotic Withnail teetering on the verge of nervous collapse? Does he actually himself harbour 'feelings' towards pretty-boy Marwood? Do we care?

This is of little consequence. The film's appeal lies almost solely in the spot-on portrayal of the characters - the three leads are all unremittingly brilliant - and their eminently quotable, laught-out-loud funny dialogue. For example, Withnail tries to discourage Marwood from leaving him alone in the cottage by explaining that "those are the sort of windows that faces look in at", whilst Monty - all thespian pomp and bluster - explains his dislike of raw meat to Marwood by recalling how "as a youth, I used to weep in butcher's shops". There are visual gags aplenty too - the plucked chicken that needs its feet and Withnail shooting fish to name but two.

Withnail and I is a unique, curiously uncomplicated and quintessentially British film. It is also perhaps the definitive 'cult classic'. Just remember to shut the gate...

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Review by A.Davies on 31st October 2002

Set in the twilight year of the 1960s, ‘Withnail and I’ follows the antics of two desperate, out of work actors, Withnail and Marwood, as they seek to get away from their booze fuelled existence in the squalor of their London flat for an idyllic retreat in the country. The two prove to be somewhat unprepared for rural life however, as their weekend of rest and relaxation disintegrates into a daily struggle for food and warmth.

‘Withnail and I’ is a madcap and bizarre and hilarious film that has become a cult classic that spans generations. It’s a must have for every respectable Video or DVD collection.

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Article - "Screening the Island : British Cinema" by Liam Lowry
Thursday 4th December 2003

In 1933, Alexander Korda’s gleefully saucy, The Private Life of Henry VIII made a huge international impact. Starring the sublime Charles Laughton, and launching the career of Merle Oberon, it announced the arrival of a cinema uniquely different from European ...  View article in full

Article - "'Tis the Season to be Jolly: Films and Alcohol" by Mark Goodall
Sunday 30th December 2007

Christmas and New Year: the season to be jolly. And how is such jollity normally achieved? Why through drinking of course. Virtually all spiritual festive activities arrive accompanied by spirits…mostly liquid ones. The cinema is no stranger to the delights of the bo...  View article in full

Collections & Lists

This film is part of the following Film Collections

Best London-Set Films

Including: 10 Rillington Place, 28 Days Later, 84 Charing Cross Road, 9 Songs, Alfie (1965), An American Werewolf In London, Betjemans London, Blow-up, Bullet Boy, Charlie Chan - In London.

Best of British

Including: A Fish Called Wanda, A Matter of Life and Death , A Room With A View, Blow-up, Brazil, Brief Encounter (Lean, 1945), Brighton Rock, Caravaggio, Dont Look Now, Get Carter.

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This film is part of the following Customer Film Lists

BFI Top 100 British Films by MovieMail

In 1999 the British Film Institute surveyed 1000 people involved in UK film and television to create the BFI Top 100 British films made in the 20th century. Here is the result - each film here stands up to repeat viewings, and shows the incredible contribution Britain has made to cinema.

Cult Classics! by Dean Broughton

Some films are not well received on their initial release. However, thanks to television showings, or home video/dvd releases, these films find a certain audience. These are known as 'cult' films. They are usually off-beat, and unconventional, and in some cases obscure.

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