Withnail and I

Original title: Withnail & I

1987
R
1h 47m

IMDb RATING

7.5/10

49K

YOUR RATING

POPULARITY

Play trailer2:06

Buddy Comedy Dark Comedy Comedy Drama

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

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.5/10

49K

YOUR RATING

POPULARITY

4,212

758

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 1 win & 1 nomination

Videos4

Trailer 2:06

Withnail And I

Clip 4:16

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Clip 4:16

6 Movie & TV Podcasts When You Need a Binge Break

Clip 1:38

Withnail And I

Clip 1:38

Withnail And I: Clip 1

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
The first preview screening appeared to be a total disaster - the audience sat there stony-faced, never laughing once. It was only after the screening had concluded that a distraught Bruce Robinson discovered that the audience was comprised entirely of non-English speaking German tourists who were all staying at a hotel nearby.

Goofs
When Withnail puts his boots in the oven to dry, he opens the iron door with a stick because it will be hot. When he closes it, he uses his hand and doesn't even flinch.

Quotes
Withnail: Are you the farmer?
Marwood: Shut up, I'll deal with this.
Withnail: We've gone on holiday by mistake. We're in this cottage here. Are you the farmer?
Marwood: Stop saying that, Withnail! Of course he's the fucking farmer!

Crazy credits
The end credits contain the following: "...& I Paul McGann" The triple dots are as it follows Richard E. Grant's credit as Withnail (hence matching the movie title). While McGann's character's name is never referenced in the movie, either spoken or written, it has been identified as Marwood in materials issued in relation to the movie.

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.

Connections
Featured in Siskel & Ebert: RoboCop/The Squeeze/Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs/Withnail and I (1987)

Soundtracks
A Whiter Shade of Pale
Performed by King Curtis
Written by Keith Reid, Gary Brooker and Matthew Fisher (uncredited)
1969 Published by Westminster Music Ltd.
Original Sound Recording made by Warner Bros. Records

User reviews261

Review

Featured review

10/10

Not just a cult classic...a classic - period.

I have a film poster of Withnail & I that has such critical quotes as "Hilarious!" and "Gloriously funny!" and I can't say I totally agree. Don't get me wrong...I loved this film and it remains one of my favorites of all time, I just think these quotes sell the movie as some kind of Monty Python romp...and it's much more than that. I did laugh throughout, but I was also touched and found it quite sad (in a very entertaining way.) I would like to think that this is what Bruce Robinson intended...to make a dramedy...not just a silly romp. Though perhaps a bit slow for some, I thought the pace was remarkable, the acting superb. I have also heard people say that they found the plot lacking...but I argue that sometimes it's just nice to sit back and get swept away by a good character study. Interesting and thought provoking, sometimes referred to as a "cult classic", I say it's just a classic - period. Oh...and great soundtrack. The closing music always gives me goosebumps.