Withnail & I - Film - British Comedy Guide (original) (raw)
Genre
Released
Stars
Paul McGann, Richard E. Grant, Richard Griffiths, Ralph Brown, Michael Elphick, Daragh O'Malley, Michael Wardle, Una Brandon-Jones and more
Writer
Director
Producers
Paul Heller, George Harrison, Denis O'Brien, David Wimbury and Lawrence Kirstein
Company
Drink-and-drug addled Londoners Withnail and his flatmate are struggling actors. Withnail's vices in particular seem to have taken over control. The pair live together in the near-squalor of a once-grand Victorian townhouse in London, unable to afford heating and unwilling to do any washing up.
Bored, cold, hungry and desperate, Withnail's flatmate recalls tale of his friend's relative, who owns a secluded country cottage. With a little persuasion, the pair hope he - Uncle Monty - will allow them to use it for a weekend's holiday.
After a few tales from Withnail to ease his uncle's demeanour, the duo secure the key and set off for the Lake District, where Monty's bolt-hole lies, and they set about trying to make themselves comfortable. But in reality it's little better than their London home: and they've not thought to bring supplies of food, fuel, or suitable clothing for the weather of the Lakes.
Following a slow start, they begin managing to scrape together some sense of comfort. A local farmer supplies a tractor-load of wood for fuel, and a (live) chicken for them to roast. But attempting to engage with other locals does not go down nearly so smoothly, and a run-in with a poacher in a nearby pub leaves both men fearing for their lives.
Monty's surprise appearance in the middle of the night, however, looks set to change their weekend for the better. Laden with wine and boxes of food supplies, the house is soon far more homely, warm and bright - and none of the three are left wanting either food or drink. But it seems that Monty is wanting; and what he wants is to sleep with his nephew's flatmate...
Stream and download
Additional details
UK certificate
15
Duration
107 minutes
UK release
Friday 10th April 1987
Production
Location
Camera set-up
Single camera
Picture
Colour
Website links
Broadcast details
Most recent repeats
- Saturday 2nd April 2022 at 1:45am on Film4
- Tuesday 28th September 2021 at 1:40am on Film4
- Thursday 31st December 2020 at 11:15pm on Film4