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Film & TV on DVD - John Doe Film News & Reviews

 
Greetings Film Fiends and welcome to John Doe's Film Blog. 30 years of dedicated celluloid obsession has meant that I have seen a few films. Drawing attention to some of the lesser discussed gems that I love. Cult classics, obscure curios and quality genre pictures. This blogs purpose is to translate some of my passion for these films and with luck, inspire you the reader to go check em out.

Withnail and I (1986) - Trailer & Footage Included

Withnail & I

Withnail and I DVD cover art
In my humble opinion Withnail and I is the cleverest comedy ever written. It’s also the wittiest, shrewdest, and most poignant. In fact, I’d be bold enough to say it is one of a handful of screenplays I regard – regardless of genre – as pitch perfect. I think it should be studied in film courses (perhaps it is, I know if I was teaching I’d be thrusting it upon my students, stating emphatically; “This is a masterpiece of screenplay writing, which just so happens to be a masterpiece of filmmaking.”


One of the most important elements of Withnail and I which makes it work so brilliantly as a comedy, is that there are no obvious gags. As writer/director Bruce Robinson reiterated time and time again to frustrated executives who’d been disappointed by the dailies/rushes, it’s not meant to be immediately funny, the comedy is cumulative. And therein lies its subtle, yet deeply resonating sense of humour; it is through the characters and the situations they find themselves in that the audience discovers the comic brilliance.
Withnail and I Paul McGann and Richard E Grant
Paul McGann as Marwood and Richard E. Grant as Withnail
It’s London, 1969. Withnail and his friend Marwood are unemployed actors, wasting their time getting blitzed on pills and booze. They decide they need to rejuvenate. A weekend in the country at Withnail’s uncle’s cottage by themselves presents itself, so they gun the old Jag and head out of town. Of course Murphy’s Law is there to greet them, and a comedy of errors unfolds.

Withnail and I Richard E Grant and Richard Griffiths
There is you'll agree a certain je ne sais quoi, oh so very special about a firm ripe carrot
Bruce Robinson originally wrote Withnail and I as a novel in the 70s, based on his own experiences as an out-of-work actor sharing a run-down flat in Camden Town, London, with an eccentric alcoholic man named Vivien. He based the character of Withnail on Vivien (who died before the film was made). Robinson passed the manuscript around friends, and it eventually landed in the lap of George Harrison who co-owned Handmade Films.
Withnail and I Richard E Grant fishing
I want something's flesh!
Not only was the movie green-lit swiftly, but Robinson, with no film directing skills whatsoever, was given the opportunity to direct his own screenplay. Unprecedented, and yet, oh, so insightful, as Robinson – having been an actor himself - was the only man who could coax the required performances out of his superbly cast film.
Withnail and I Michael Elphick as Jake the poacher
I've been watchin' you, prancin' like a tit, you need workin' on!
Richard E. Grant as Withnail. Grant was a teetotaler, and yet, amazingly, he delivers, arguably, the finest performance of a drunk ever put to celluloid. Paul McGann as Marwood (his name is never mentioned in the film, the end credits list him simply as “… and I”). McGann plays the matinee idol good-looking quiet achiever to Withnail’s belligerent chip-on-the-shoulder wastrel. Richard Griffiths as Uncle Monty. Possibly one of the finest characterisations of an aging thespian queen ever put to film; “It's true I crept the boards in my youth, but I never had it in my blood, and that's what so essential isn't it? The theatrical zeal in the veins. Alas, I have little more that vintage wine and memories.”
Withnail and I Wellingtons
You look like a couple of farm hands! Here go and buy some rubber boots!
The movie’s dialogue is endlessly quotable. My best buddy and I are forever throwing lines from the movie at one another in times of mirth and merriment. There’s even a drinking game concocted by staff at the UK lads mag Loaded. Fairly straight forward: whenever a character drinks on screen, you have to drink what they’re drinking. You’ll be blotto before the halfway mark. Trust me.
Withnail and I middle of the night
Monty arrives unexpectedly ... My boys! My boys!
And for the potheads there’s the infamous Camberwell Carrot, expertly packed and rolled by the film’s other memorable character; the dirty drug-addled hippie Danny; “I don't advise a haircut, man. All hairdressers are in the employment of the government. Hairs are your aerials. They pick up signals from the cosmos, and transmit them directly into the brain. This is the reason bald-headed men are uptight.” Ralph Brown apparently turned up to auditions dressed just as he is in the movie. Bruce Robinson was suitably impressed and he got the part.
Withnail and I Ralph Brown and Paul McGann
Ralph Brown as Danny sullying Marwood's bed
The movie is gorgeously photographed by Peter Hannan, with an equally stunning score from David Dundas and Rick Wentworth, bookmarked by the excellent use of two Jimi Hendrix tracks (All Along the Watchtower and Voodoo Chile (Slight Return). The art direction is bang on the money. All up, the production of the film is hand-in-glove with Robinson’s attention to detail.
Withnail and I final walk in the park
'53 Margaux, best of the century ...
Thank God this film hasn’t been ruined by some poor excuse for a sequel (one which might have followed Marwood’s acting career, or Withnail’s further slide) or, dare I even mention it, a remake. The film is such a beautifully encapsulated date stamp and case study of male friendship I can’t fathom how any filmmaker could even attempt to take the baton and run with it. I hope Robinson has something to do with that, although apparently he’s received no royalties whatsoever from the movie’s cult success. He got a nominal writer and director’s fee and that was that; a tragedy in itself.

But let’s not dwell on poor Bruce, he’s forever hounded by Withnail fans in pubs (he’s battled alcoholism most of his adult life) and on the street throwing lines at him, “Perfumed ponce!” Oh, to be able to write a screenplay as sharp and insightful, rich in character in dialogue, and as damn bloody funny as Withnail and I.
Withnail and I Camden Town steps

I toast you Bruce Robinson, you fucking legend!

Here's the frightfully English trailer:


And here's the famous Penrith tearooms scene:


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September 28th 2007 @ 01:21

Posted By: Bryn - Category: Comedy

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14 Comments. [ Add A Comment ]


Celebrity Obsession
1. September 28th 2007 @ 01:47. KylieW Says:
You know, I have never actually seen this movie, but it's one that I'm dying to see. Everyone I know who has seen the movie raves about it.

One Sunday I'm going to track it down and watch it. I love Richard E Grant too.

And yes, I've heard of the infamous drinking game. Never heard of anyone making it through the movie playing it though

Kylie


Horrorphile
2. September 28th 2007 @ 05:40. Bryn Says:
Kylie, you will love this film. Love it.


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3. October 3rd 2007 @ 04:25. Cibbuano Says:
absolutely brilliant.

'I mean to have you, even if it must be burglary!'


Film & TV on DVD
4. October 3rd 2007 @ 04:28. JohnDoe Says:
I would have been surprised if you didn't review this one Bryn, a brilliant comedy that I dig, but am aware you love.


Horrorphile
5. October 5th 2007 @ 16:52. Bryn Says:
Cheers JD ... Am drunk right now. Been a looooong week. This film is part of my soul.


Horrorphile
6. October 5th 2007 @ 16:53. Bryn Says:
Cibby ... possibly one of the film's most infamous lines!!! And the funniest!!!


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7. July 1st 2009 @ 08:17. Natalina Says:
Very passionately written review, Bryn. I wonder if I could even find this movie around here. I'll keep my eyes peeled. And it even features a dirty hippie. How appropriate


Horrorphile
8. July 1st 2009 @ 08:39. Bryn Says:
Natalina, first comment in nearly two years Thank you for your kind words.

I can't believe you've never seen this movie! I've seen it more times than you've had hot dinners! Have you at least heard of it before now??

Re-reading my own words makes me want to watch the blood thing again (for the umpteenth time) ... Gosh, the concept that this movie will probably get remade at some point, some years from now depresses the hell out of me. Remakes of classics are a fucking plague!


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9. July 1st 2009 @ 08:46. Natalina Says:
I'm sure I've heard of it, which leads me to believe that perhaps I've seen it on a video store shelf somewhere. With your enthusiastic praise, I'll definitely have to look for it.

Remakes of classics are getting fucking out of hand. I was so pissed off when I read the other day that a live action remake of "Watership Down", which is one of my favorite books and movies is in the works. Curse those bastards if they even consider such a thing!

Oh, and some M-er F-er (do you like how I censored myself here but not above? So inconsistent!) is remaking The Dark Crystal! Shoot me right fucking now!


Horrorphile
10. July 1st 2009 @ 08:48. Bryn Says:
The Dark Crystal? Lemme guess, they'll CGI the whole fucking thing. The muppet magic will be entirely absent.


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11. July 1st 2009 @ 08:55. Natalina Says:
That's the idea. They are going to make an all CGI Dark Crystal, and it will break my heart. I think it's already being made. How dare they? Why must people fuck with my childhood??? I remember I had a vhs copy of The Dark Crystal that I completely wore out when I was a kid. What's next? Will the ruin all of my favorites? The Dark Crystal, Labyrinth, The Last Unicorn, Legend? Probably. Makes me want to puke.


Horrorphile
12. July 2nd 2009 @ 00:27. Bryn Says:
Ahhh, Legend. Tim Curry as the Lord of Darkness. Awesome special effects makeup from Rob Bottin and a powerhouse performance. Arguably the finest depiction of the Devil ever put to screen.


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13. July 2nd 2009 @ 00:34. Natalina Says:
Agreed. Tim Curry is the best. I can even overlook that little wiener Tom Cruise because I loved that movie so much. Then of course there's the score by Tangerine Dream which I love. Did you know that there was another version of Legend made with a completely different score? Both are pretty great, but the Tangerine Dream music sticks with me.

Actually, I think the Tangerine Dream score was only in the North American release of the film, now that I think about it.


Horrorphile
14. July 2nd 2009 @ 00:41. Bryn Says:
Yeah, I have the deluxe DVD edition with both release versions of the movie. Not only the music, but the cuts are different as well. I can't remember which version I prefer. I love the trolls, and especially love the swamp hag! Rob Bottin is a true master of makeup.

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