Find your neutral space man! (Withnail And I (DVD))

Member Name: Judgee

Product:	Withnail And I (DVD)
Date:	26/10/02 (308 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Superb acting, Great humour

Disadvantages: Some swearing, references to drugs

Being a recent convert to DVD's I was browsing the Internet for something to add to my somewhat limited collection. Unfortunately there are not really many films that I want to buy on DVD, at least none that I don't already own on video. The extra features that are often provided with this new format can be interesting, but rarely worth the extra expense of purchasing a film twice. So I was really pleased to stumble across this old favourite of mine. Withnail and I is the semi autobiographical tale of Bruce Robinson, the films' writer and director. The extra features include a documentary on the making of the film, including interviews with the crew, cast and even the great man himself. For this reason, I snapped up a copy at the bargain price of £7. Was it worth it? Well, read on and I'll tell you more!


The story
***********

It is the end of the sixties and the times are changing. Withnail and 'I' ('I' will be referred to as Marwood from here) are two out of work actors from two very different worlds, both sharing the same London flat. Consuming vast amounts of alcohol and popping pills is an every day occurrence for the unemployed pair, as they try to cope with their mundane lives on the dole and the occasional visits from Danny "a purveyor of rare herbs and prescribed medicines"


Desperate to escape their miserable existence for a few days, the downtrodden pair procure the key to 'Crow Cragg' a country cottage belonging to Withnails' homosexual 'Uncle Monty' and set off to the Lake district in search of rest and recuperation.


Upon arrival, it soon becomes clear that the pair are even less capable of looking after themselves in the country, than they were in the city. Inhospitable locals, an angry bull and an aggressive poacher named 'Jake' all add to the hapless duo's problems. But it is not until Withnails' Uncle Monty arrives on t
he scene that their troubles really start, particularly for Marwood who finds himself the centre of Monty's attention!


I will say no more on the plot to avoid spoiling the story for anyone has yet to see the film!


The DVD version
********************

This DVD provides you with an exclusive uncut Widescreen version of the film with dolby surround sound. In addition, you are also treated to the 1999 documentary on the film called 'Withnail and Us', optional commentary from actors Paul McGann and Ralph Brown and behind the scenes stills from Ralph Steadman.


As for being the uncut version, well I guess that there are not really any spectacular changes from the original film. Except perhaps that there is more scenery to look at and the occasional extra line fitted in here and there. So nothing particularly special added here, but as the original is near enough perfect anyway, I guess it doesn't really matter.


The main reason for purchasing this DVD for me was the documentary that came with the film. Admittedly some of it is quite pointless. Personally I am not interested in knowing how low ranking 'would-be' celebrities and musicians enjoyed the film. However, interviews with the cast and crew were extremely interesting. My favourite part being the interview with Bruce Robinson. The film was after all, based on his life and I sat engrossed as he explained how some of the lead characters were based on people he new. It is from this interview that the name 'Marwood' sprang. Throughout the film 'I's name is not mentioned and it is only from this interview that I could establish the fact that he ever had a name at all! Something else he mentioned was the fact that it was his directorial debut and he really had no idea of how to make a film. So on the first day of shooting he stood up in front of the cast and crew an asked them to give him a hand. They of course oblig
ed and the rest as they say is history!


One really great bonus for me on the DVD was the commentary provided by Paul McGann who plays 'Marwood' and Ralph Brown who plays 'Danny' the philosophical drug dealer. Most commentaries I have heard to date, on other DVD's at least, are all right, but quite often become very boring, very quickly. This was not the case with these two. Perhaps it is because I enjoy the film so much and was genuinely interested in learning more about it, but I found the commentary to be both entertaining and incredibly interesting. Little snipets of information such as when and where certain scenes were shot, what were their favourite lines, how they all got on, etc. This was a real bonus for me, and one that I think most fans will greatly appreciate and enjoy.


There is so much more I could say about the film but this review would go on forever. I haven't even touched on the great soundtrack featuring classics such as 'Voodoo Chile' and 'All Along the Watchtower' performed by the great Jimi hendrix or 'While my guitar gently weeps' performed by The Beatles. The cast is superb, Richard E. Grant who plays 'Withnail' is the most convincing drunk I have ever seen and this is even more impressive when you learn that in reality, the actor is tea-total! Paul McGann is totally believable as the naïve 'Marwood' and Ralph Brown is hilarious as the spaced out philosophising drug dealer 'Danny'. Richard Griffiths is both wonderfully over the top and pitiful as the desperate homosexual 'Uncle Monty' and Michael Elphic makes a nice appearance as 'Jake' the dark and menacing poacher. The scenery filmed in the countryside is beautiful and the scenes shot in London, gritty and very atmospheric. The script is fantastic and will arm you with some fantastic lines to quote at people for years to come. I for one can often be seen shouting 'SCRUBBERR
RRRRS' out of the window at the top of my voice, as I drive to work in the morning! When offering friends lifts in my car they are often treated to a 'GET IN THE BACK OF THE VAN' as they open the car door and of course 'I feel like a pig shat in my head' has been used after many a drunken night out! What on earth am I quoting? Watch the film and all will become clear!


If you haven't watched the film yet, I would thoroughly recommend getting hold of a copy now. For those that have seen it and are true fans of the film, go out and buy the DVD version, the extras are a must for any worshippers of this superb cult classic!


I'll leave you with my favourite quote from the film, provide by Danny the drug dealer. Have wiser words ever been spoken!


"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 to the brain. This is the reason that bald men are uptight!"


Rated 15, some swearing.



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