Withnail & I (1987)

In 1969, two substance-abusing, unemployed actors retreat to the countryside for a holiday that proves disastrous.

Director:

Bruce Robinson

Writer:

Bruce Robinson

Stars:

Richard E. Grant, Paul McGann, Richard Griffiths

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Richard E. Grant	...	Withnail
Paul McGann	...	... & I
Richard Griffiths	...	Monty
Ralph Brown	...	Danny
Michael Elphick	...	Jake
Daragh O'Malley	...	Irishman
Michael Wardle	...	Isaac Parkin
Una Brandon-Jones	...	Mrs. Parkin
Noel Johnson	...	Raymond (General)
Irene Sutcliffe	...	Mabs Blenehassit (Waitress)
Llewellyn Rees	...	Tea Shop Proprietor
Robert Oates	...	Policeman 1
Anthony Wise	...	Policeman 2
Eddie Tagoe	...	Presuming Ed

Storyline

London, 1969 - two 'resting' (unemployed and unemployable) actors, Withnail and Marwood, fed up with damp, cold, piles of washing-up, mad drug dealers and psychotic Irishmen, decide to leave their squalid Camden flat for an idyllic holiday in the countryside, courtesy of Withnail's uncle Monty's country cottage. But when they get there, it rains non-stop, there's no food, and their basic survival skills turn out to be somewhat limited. Matters are not helped by the arrival of Uncle Monty, who shows an uncomfortably keen interest in Marwood...

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Plot Keywords:

friendship | black comedy | out of work actor | homosexual | gay | 

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Taglines:

You are invited to spend an hilarious weekend in the English countryside.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Certificate:

R

Details

Official Sites:

Handmade Films Website

Country:

UK

Language:

English Latin

Release Date:

19 June 1987 (USA)

Also Known As:

Withnail & I

Filming Locations:

M25 Motorway, Buckinghamshire, England, UK

Box Office

Gross USA:

$1,544,889

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$1,627,318

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cineplex-Odeon Films, HandMade Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

107 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The town square that Monty drives them to is actually Stony Stratford in north Milton Keynes, the pub is still there and is called The Crown.

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Goofs

An illustration of Elvis Presley wearing a white jumpsuit is seen on a shelf in the Camden flat. Elvis started wearing white jumpsuits in 1970, one year after the film's 1969 setting.

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Quotes

Marwood: Right, now we're going to have to approach this scientifically. First thing we've got to do is get this fire alight, then we split into two fact-finding groups. I'll deal with the water and other plumbings, you can check the fuel and wood situation.
[a few minutes later, Withnail re-enters the cottage holding a wet stick]
Marwood: What's that?
Withnail: The fuel and wood situation. There's nothing out there except a hurricane.

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Crazy Credits

Paul McGann is credited only as "and I".

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Alternate Versions

The original cinema version of this film was shorter than the one that has since been released on video, laserdisc and DVD. Changes include:

• Marwood's opening voice-over has been redubbed.
• Marwood's speech about his thumbs having gone weird has been cut. The scene thus goes from the line "I don't feel good" to "Look at my tongue".
• Withnail's "I'm gonna pull your head off" has been cut.
• Danny's anecdote about The Coalman has been cut.
• Some dialogue concerning Withnail's current work and Marwood also being a thespian has been cut out of the scene at Monty's home.
• The scene of Marwood slipping in the mud and then angrily persuading Withnail to have another look at the shed has been cut.
• The first part of Withnail and Marwood's conversation with the major, concerning Withnail having been in the Territorials, has been cut. The scene in this version simply dissolves from Withnail and Marwood walking to the pub with Marwood's voice-over to the major bringing up the subject of Jake. Marwood's line about why Withnail lied to the major has understandably also been cut.
• The word Saveloy has been redubbed to Sausage.

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Connections

Featured in WatchMojo: Top 10 Acting Debuts in Movies (2013)

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Soundtracks

My Friend
Performed by Charlie Kunz
Composed by Ervin Drake and Jimmy Shirl
Published Chappell Music Ltd
Original Sound Recording made by the Decca Record Co. Ltd.

User Reviews

Who says a comedy can't be intelligent, sad AND laugh out loud FUNNY?

The first time I watched 'Withnail and I' in the late 80s I thought it was pretty good, but that's about it. Over the years, and a few more viewings, it really started to grow on me, and recently rewatching it on DVD for the first time I was struck at how brilliant and unique it is. It's a very subtle film really, and most comedy is admittedly a matter of taste, but if this movie clicks with you you'll most likely end up putting it in amongst your all time favourites. To me it's one of the greatest comedies ever. It's intelligent and sad and genuinely laugh out loud FUNNY, something you rarely see these days. The movie is episodic and seems to ramble on, but it's much more than a shaggy dog story, there's an underlying depth and melancholy to it that makes it something special. Richard E. Grant has never been better than this. Playing Withnail and writing his wonderful autobiography cement his place in film history as far as I'm concerned. Paul McGann is also excellent, and there are lovely performances from Richard Griffiths, Michael Elphick and Ralph Brown. EVERYONE is good in 'Withnail' but it's still Grant's movie all the way. He is just utterly brilliant! 'Withnail and I' is one of THE great British movies, and comes with my highest recommendation.