Withnail And I (1987) Remastered 1080p BluRay x265 HEVC AAC-SARTRE

Screenwriter Bruce Robinson made his directorial debut with this British comedy. Withnail (Richard E. Grant) is an unsuccessful, pill-popping actor; "I," or Marwood (Paul McGann), is Withnail's roommate and another equally underemployed actor. The time is 1969: Withnail is fast becoming a burned-out relic of the '60s, while Marwood is trying to reassimilate into society. The two take a trip to the country in hopes of rejuvenating themselves, but things go from worse to even worse. Given the intimacy and insight of the screenplay and dialogue, one shouldn't be surprised that Bruce Robinson (who adapted the film from his own novel) based Withnail & I on his own experiences. The film proves that certain "Age of Aquarius" types were just as bollixed-up in Britain as they were in America.

This is a re-rip with higher bitrate/better settings.



Extras

• Interview with Michael Pickwoad - In this new video interview conducted in 2014, production designer Michael Pickwoad recalls his initial impressions of Bruce Robinson's script for Withnail and I, and discusses some of the real-life individuals that inspired the colorful characters in the film, its bizarre sense of humor, the shooting of key sequences, etc. (720p - 22min)

• An Appreciation by Sam Bain - In this new video interview, Sam Bain, co-creator of Peep Show and Fresh Meat, discusses the unique qualities of Withnail and I. (720p - 8min)

• Withnail Weekend Documentaries - presented here are four documentaries which were originally screened on Channel 4, as of part of their Withnail Weekend in 1999. The featurettes offer plenty of information about the film's production history, unique sense of humor, and cult status. All four featurettes contain clips from interviews with cast/crew members and fans of the film, as well as plenty of archival footage.

1. Withnail and Us (720p - 25min).
2. The Peculiar Memories of Bruce Robinson (720p - 39min).
3. I Demand to Have Some Booze! (720p - 6min).
4. Withnail on the Pier (720p - 5min).

• Postcards From Penrith - A 21 minute home-made documentary about two fans wanting to replicate certain images in the film via the Penrith location and those places that still stand. (576p, 21min)

• Swearathon - a selection of colorful expressions used throughout the film. (576p - 1min)

• Withnail and I: The Reunion (BBC Radio 4) - An episode of BBC's 'The Reunion' featuring the director and cast of Withnail and I. (480p - 41min)

• Commentary - This audio commentary with writer/director Bruce Robinson was recorded in 2009. It also appears on Anchor Bay's Blu-ray release of Withnail and I.

• Commentary - In this audio commentary, Kevin Jackson, author of the BFI Modern Classics volume on Withnail and I, discusses the unique balance between comedy and drama in the film, its visual style, the homophobic overtones and Uncle Monty's character, the relationship between the music and the visuals, Bruce Robinson's directing style (Withnail and I was his directorial debut), etc. The commentary was recoded in 2014.

• Theatrical Trailer - original theatrical trailer for Withnail and I. (720p - 2min)

• Various photos and scans from previous DVD versions.