Rating: 
Summary: We Are Multi-Millionaires !!!
Review: Bruce Robinson's 1986 masterpiece still stands as fresh & as funny as it did 15 years ago. His classic dark comedy about two out of work actors in the late 60's, who decide to flee their paranoid surroundings & go on holiday by mistake. An absolutely flawless script met with perfect casting & forever memorable performances making it the modern film classic it deserves to be & not just your average cult movie fare. Richard E.Grant was always meant to be "Withnail" & Paul McGann nicely balances the pair, playing "I" & giving the story it's narration. Hilarious throughout & truly unforgettable. In 1996 a 10-year-edition "directors cut" was released & played on cable containing extended scenes & additional footage; Having seen this version, I hope that 'Criterion' includes it on their forthcoming release. The out-takes blend so well with the original footage. For the hardcore fans there should be the theatrical release version too. To finally arrive on DVD is indeed a great thing. Chin-chin!!!
Rating:
Summary: One of my favourite films of all time
Review: Criterion has done a wonderful job with this DVD release of WITHNAIL & I. The picture looks sharp, the sound is clear, and the extras are a lot of fun. The biggest difference for me was that the only video version of this film I owned was the full-screen version that contains numerous edits. Watching this film uncut for the first time in years really pointed out how much I had been missing with the video version. Getting this DVD is definitely worth the money.The film itself is a joy to experience. While the plot cannot be accused of being overcomplicated, this simplicity is more than made up for in the wonderful characters and brilliant dialogue (virtually none of which can be quoted in an all-ages forum such as this). Loosely narrated by Paul McGann's "I" character, this film depicts a brief period in the life of two struggling actors as they attempt to find booze, drugs and jobs in the dying days of the 1960s. The movie covers a wide spectrum from some scenes featuring the funniest lines that you'll ever hear to small touching moments that are surprisingly moving. This is highly recommended to anyone who enjoys good moviemaking. Every character in the picture is superbly acted and written for. It's a testament to Bruce Robinson's directing skills that the characters compliment each other so well instead of clashing and overbearing the others as could so easily have happened. The secondary characters work as well as the leads and each one adds their unique flavour to the mixture. Robinson doesn't make the mistake of giving the smaller parts too much on-screen time and having them overstay their welcome. Each character says and does no more than they need to and leaves everyone wanting more. Richard E. Grant and Paul McGann are perfectly cast in their roles. Each bile-covered insult roles off of Grant's tongue as if he'd been swearing at McGann all his life. It's amazing that Grant is a teetotaler in real life and was relying on pure skill for most of his inspiration. Excellent acting. The documentary that is included on the DVD is 30 minutes long and quite excellent. There are interviews with Richard E. Grant (Withnail), Paul McGann (...& I), Bruce Robinson (writer/director), Ralph Brown (Danny) and a host of other people related to the production. It's a funny and enthralling look at the people and ideas behind the film. Just fast-forward through the trainspotters.
Rating:
Summary: Cult Masterpiece!
Review: Withnail and I is one of those movies that you'd either love or hate. Fortunately, there's a better chance of you falling in love with the film---and no wonder why, thanks to the characters and the great dialogue.
While it will resemble Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (including Marwood's living quarters, messy enough to rival Hunter S. Thompson's hotel suites!), the film itself is more about two drug addicts (and not to mention jobless actors) who gets away from the pessismistic atmosphere of London---and drugs---by moving into a cottage in that wonderful English countryside, where it's as cold as Greenland and as sunny as England can get (read: RAINY) in order to "rejuvenate". And as one can guess, what they really do is far from rejuvenation.
The cast themselves are excellent, from our anxiety-ridden narrator, Marwood, who frequently gets paranoid about things, to the main star of the film, Withnail, an alcholic with a tendency to say insulting things... as well as to recite a few lines of Hamlet, along with a bottle of booze, of course. Also of notable mention is Richard Griffiths, who plays the delightful role of Withnail's old-fashioned, homosexual uncle who lends to our to characters; and Ralph Brown, who plays drug dealer Danny---picture your stereotypical American "Dude", and then add in a British accent, holding the infamous "Camberwell Carrot", a collection of cigarettes rolled into one giant one!
A fascinating, exceptionally funny (in a British sense, of course!), and ultimately engaging, if unconventional, film, filled with outstanding perfomances, and great (if at times insulting, which makes it even greater) dialogue. A definite cult masterpiece, and thoroughly British, too.
Rating:
Summary: I WILL NEVER PLAY THE DANE !
Review: This is one of the best British comedies of all time, however many people are underwhelmed upon seeing it, and can't understand what the fuss is all about. You either get it or you don't. I love it. (Though obviously not as much as Withnail cultists who have seen the film 20 plus times) Ok. Here's the story: Two chronically and hopelessly unemployed actors, Withnail (Richard Grant) and "I" (Paul Mc Gann) are living in absolute squalor in the London of the late 60's. Between booze, cursing their agents, and wonderfully witty banter they fight to keep their spirits up, but it's a losing battle. They come to the conclusion that they must escape The City to the countryside, even if only for a short while. Withnail arranges matters by sponging from his uncle, Monty, (Richard Griffiths) a raving homosexual queen who is also obviously insane. Needess to say the vacation turns out to be somewhat less than idyllic. But the real joy of watching this film does not come from the plot. The comedic situations arise out of the wonderfully nutty yet completely believable characters--perfectly acted by the cast. You really feel you've met these people, a sense of deja vu, especially if you were around in the late 60's. As to the dialogue, to call it brilliant is not high enough praise, This is one of the most quotable films, ever. At the end, Withnail, who clearly wants to die, delivers Hamlet's 'What a piece of work is man' speech. It's a touching moment in a comedy. Chaplin himself couldn't have made it more poignant. A cult classic in Europe, virtually unknown in the U.S.
Don't miss out on this one!
Rating:
Summary: "Man delights not me"
Review: The quintissential British comedy. Set in the fag end (that's cigarrette end) of the 60's in the squalid bedsits of London, Withnail and I is a tale of two aspiring young actors; the pompous and deranged Withnail (Richard E. Grant) and the quietly reserved "I" (Paul McGann). The film follows their increasingly debauched downward spiral as they try to live with no money, no food, no heating, a hideously filthy kitchen infested with rats and, more importantly, no booze! Add to this their frequently unwanted house guest, drug dealing hippy Danny (A scene stealing turn by Ralph Brown), and a near fight with a stocky Irish homophobe who believes them, wrongly, to be gay, they decide that a trip to the country is in order to help revitalise themselves. And so they stay with Witnail's Uncle Monty (Richard Griffiths) which leads to a second act full of crossed wires, fish out of water exploits and unwanted sexual advances. To give too much away would spoil this wonderful film.
The film is funny without relying on jokes. The humour comes from the situations, the immensly quotable dialogue: "We want cake, and the finest wines available to humanity... and we want them here and we want them now," blathers a drunken Withnail as he and "I" frequent a quaint english tea and cake shop, upsetting the locals.
The magic is in the details. Writer/Director Bruce Robinson, who almost didn't make the film after the success, and subsequent Oscar win, for his "The Killing Fields" screenplay, recreates an era which he knows all to well. The film is loosely based on his experiences, with "I", the films narrator (originally referred to in the script as Marwood) being his alter ego. Withnail is very muched based on his flatmate Vivien, who, yes it's true, did drink lighter fuel and went blind for days. Michael Elphick, another flat mate of Robinson's, even makes an appearance as a poacher.
Withnail and I is as poignant as it is funny, capturing a period where so many young artists fell by the wayside. Watching the finale in London zoo, you can only assume the worst will happen to Withnail. It was a decade of so much unfullfilled promise, as summed up by Danny: "We are reaching the end of the greatest decade in the history of mankind, and as my friend Presuming Ed consistently points out... we have failed to paint it black!"
Rating: 
Summary: Great Drinking movie for Monty Python Fans
Review: If you like dry English humor, as I do, you will LOVE this flick. Great movie to drink to you ponce. If you draw a Queen at Uncle Monty's you're doomed. See it, it's great. Also, it's produced by the Dark Horse himself!
Rating:
Summary: You should NEVER mix your drinks...
Review: This absolutely brilliant 1987 film was an instant cult hit in its native England and has slowly gained devotees on this side of the pond. Writer-director Bruce Robinson captures the zeitgeist surrounding the "death" of the 1960's with his story of two impoverished actors who slog through "swinging" 1969 London with high hopes and low squalor. Richard E. Grant's turn as the decadently wasted Withnail is unforgettable, ably supported by the "I" of the title, Paul McGann. Reminiscent of "Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas", but with a more wry British approach to substance-fueled paranoia. The two flatmates, desperate for a break from thier cramped, heatless apartment, take a road trip to the "country" (remember the "locals" in "Straw Dogs"?), and harrowing hilarity ensues. There are so many great lines, you might as well put quotation marks at the beginning and end of the script! Despite what some whiney reviewers have said, the Criterion edition is the best print I've ever seen of this movie. Even director Bruce Robinson candidly admits that it was "badly filmed"-that's just the way the movie looks and sounds, folks, deal with it! By the way, Bruce Robinson can be seen in a rare acting role in the excellent 1999 film "Still Crazy", playing a mysterious Syd Barrett type guitarist (I didn't realize it was him until I saw the interview segment included on the "Withnail" DVD and recognized him right away as the founder of "Strange Froot"!).
Rating:
Summary: Drinking, swearing and the most quotable lines ever...
Review: ...is what Withnail & I is all about. We follow the self-destructive Withnail on a never-ending bender of booze and drugs, as 'I' (Marwood) gets dragged along for the ride. The film follows these two as they confront their horror at the ending of the 70s and decide to get out of London and head "to the country". Two less-suited country dwellers than these could not be found in all of England, and their misadventures and eventual return to the city make up the plot. Plot isn't where the genius of this film lies, however. The best moments come from the caustic tongue of Withnail, along with the befuddled willingness of Marwood, and the rampant campiness of Uncle Monty. All three have their weaknesses and peccadilloes, and these are revealed through some of the most wondrously amusing, creative scenes and lines of dialogue ever recorded. Quotes from the film stick in the mind as moments of sadness, illumination, hippy-wonder and humour. No "Three best lines from Withnail & I" lists would contain the same line. As a comedy, a 'turn of an era' documentary and as a character-study (based on real people), this film succeeds on every level. To watch it is to love it.
Rating:
Summary: A Masterpiece
Review: This film is a masterpiece. The script and dialogue are extremely well written and both lead actors give outstanding performances. If you're English, this film is probably one you've watched numerous times. If you're not, it's a hilarious insight into some of English people's quirks through the eyes of two out of work actors. Some of the lines in this film have become legendary and fallen into British everday lingo. Nice extras on this DVD edition too.
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant movie let down by production values
Review: Probably one of my favourite movies of all time. I purchased this DVD after my VHS copy had come to the end of its useful life. The movie is there in all its glory including some vocal touchups (that my tape didn't have)on account of the sound being so awful, many people had trouble hearing what was said. The DVD is fairly well stuffed with Withnalia but I'm left with the feeling that the DVD would have better if both the sound and vision had been overhauled extensively to present this low-budget movie in the manner that is deserving of it.
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