Page 1 of Withnail & I

Anyone heard any information about a possible R2 release? Been waiting for it to come out on DVD since I bought my player, being one of my all-time fave films. Was even more excited to hear Criterion had picked it up in the US but disappointed to see it`ll be somewhat lacking in special features... *sigh*

Altogether now... "I demand to have some booze!"

:-)

Me too.
Would love to see this arrive chock full of features!

Sorry to disappoint but I`ve just finished reading Bruce Robinson`s excellent book Smoking in Bed, in it he states that he told Criterion where to get off when they offered himself and Grant no financial incentive to voice over the film. (He han`t gained anything from the recent Withnail re-assessment) His reasons are less mercenary than that and tied up in a fondness for the film and its history together with a sadness at the way his film is not part of him anymore. Anyhow buy the book - even if you don`t like any of his other films - I`ve been reading books on filmaking for twenty five years and its up there near the top.
Very funny, very serious, very good.

This is one of the very few films that I`d but without special features! Every line in this film is a quote-fest.
Class - and it`s British-made!

Why the hell do they release films without features anyway? Good films too, like bladerunner, goodfellas (TWO sided only), predator 1 & 2 all with the potential.. ..but no special features. Even though documentaries have been made on them. I`ve seen them.
Then they release a later `director`s cut` or `uncut version` with features - after we`ve all bought the first disk without features.

Do a search for Withnail and I under the news section of this site...


... and you`ll find that Criterion are releasing it on the 10th July.

Not so hot on the extras though:

`The disc is presented in anamorphic widescreen, Dolby Digital Mono sound and is also uncut. Extras will include pre-production photos, a poster and the trailer.`

Also being released simultaneously is How to Get Ahead in Advertising.`
Another great Richard E. Grant film!

"The disc is presented in anamorphic widescreen, Dolby Digital Mono sound and is also uncut..."

Has it ever actually BEEN cut for release? I know in the script there are a couple of scenes (repairing the Jag; gathering all the empty bottles together to get refunds on them) that never made it in to the movie as originally released, were these ever filmed? Or have I missed something?...

Anyway, still worth geting just to have the film on DVD. Hope Criterion do their usual excellent job on the sound and picture, diappointing to see it`ll only be mono though.

Ah well, here`s hoping an R2 release is on the cards with a few choice extras - Channel 4 did a good documentary a couple of years back when they had their Withnail weekend..