Withnail & I 30 years on: star Richard E Grant and director Bruce Robinson discuss the film | BFI

[@philiplindsay225]

Withnail is one of the greatest films ever made .

[@steveellis9004]

@Anton Boludo tanks

[@steveellis9004]

You had me at Withnail...

[@pauldavies9478]

I agree,the greatest film known to humanity in fact I'm going to watch it here and I'm going to watch it now

[@mortuaryartist]

Paul Davies we are going to shut this you tube down and install a fucking jukebox

[@landscapedetective4064]

I'm embarrassed to admit this now, at the ripe old age of 59, but I could roll a pretty mean Camberwell Carrot in my 20s.

[@minionofgozer7414]

The more I see Richard E. Grant the more I love the guy. Just brings a smile to my face 😆

[@alexblock2248]

Bruce Robinson may have never made a better film then Withnail and I, But that one film is a masterpiece that never ages or wears thin. Always a pleasure to watch.

[@kybone25]

Well said and totally agree

[@arconeagain]

Than

[@pinetree1616]

Jennifer 8 is underrated.

[@PaoloLery]

@@pinetree1616 agreed just don’t ask Bruce about it.

[@jaxsonshipp5193]

As someone who has seen it 20+ times in the last 7 days, I couldn’t agree more

[@mortuaryartist]

I have watched this film more than any other. Nothing compares to the talent involved in this. I have the film, the anniversary film, the book of the film, the film of the book, the poster on the wall, the quotes off by heart, the places it was filmed, the music..the everything..Bruce Robinson you are legendary x

[@SS-gx7tg]

This is a great movie, probably my favorite movie ever. Flawless. And though not on the same level, I've come to find a *lot* to love about Rum Diary as well, and I've now watched that at least a dozen times.

[@madontherun]

Great ! I've tried getting people my own age ( at the time of it's release ) and they just look at me as some kind of weirdo. Youngsters today think films are either , superheroes , or costume dramas

[@COZEKO_Official]

@@SS-gx7tg Finally somebodywho appreciates The Rum Diary! I've been watching it over 100 times while getting drunk. It's a great experience. Robinson had given up his sobriety and started to drink again just to write the scenary of the movie. It has many close references from Withnail and I

[@jayarrington240]

Withnail and I is one of the lasting films. I watch it - probably - once a year and it never fails to deliver. Its humour is so sad, the story so sad and wonderfully human. A real feat of art, writing, acting filmmaking and humanity. However it was made, it was worth it.

[@markatkinson5102]

The greatest film ever made. Every line is wonderful.

[@d.o.m.494]

Just watched this three times in the last week after my 18 year old daughter introduced me to this amazing film.

[@cob1965]

Still one of the best British films ever made. I think every single line is brilliant. And a great interview.....

[@DC-js4gk]

We're on holiday by accident can you help us

[@markws5952]

Life of Brian

[@AntaresBottia]

One of the most enchanting films you could ever watch. I remember watching it when my life was in a bit of a rut and these two lovely characters had a real healing effect! The intro with the music remains of one slickest I've encountered, the opening dialogue had me anxious as much as the characters but by the time Marwood sauntered off into the fields to that lovely music playing in the background I knew then what a magical piece of work I encountered, it contains real fusion (heart, soul) from the director. Makes all the difference in comparison to the shallow attempts of today's film making.

[@petetube99]

Well said. When discussing Withnail, the score music rarely gets mentioned, but it's really simple and very beautiful. Those wistful melancholic interludes are more important than they are given credit for. As well as being hilarious it's easy to forget it's a very human and very poignant tale about the loss of youth and potential. As Monty says, there is no true beauty without decay.

[@kybone25]

Very well said!! I feel exactly the same. A true masterpiece! I will never forget the day I first watched it with my friend at 17. It was a particularly dull cloudy day and my friend decided we should rent it out and watch it. He heard about it from someone else. I had no idea that film was going to breathe such fresh energy into my soul! I felt sunny and warm after watching it. Still watch it occasionally as it still warms me inside :) It's timeless!

[@kybone25]

@@petetube99 Legium Pro Brittiana!!!

[@chasleask8533]

Yes mate. Those two moments. From what the fuck is this? when is it set? I recognise that tune ,what is it? to "What a relief , a lovely morning" from that moment I was hooked.

[@antonystringfellow5152]

I was drawn in after seeing the trailer and various clips. What captivated me was the combination of realism, darkness and witty humour. The situations and the characters were all totally believable to me - I'd actually known and mixed with characters, like many in the film, back in the 70s. I found parts depressingly realistic but the humour was enough to make it a pleasure to watch, while the realism made it compelling. One of a kind - a classic!

[@johnboyle4797]

it's one of the few films you can watch again and again and again.

[@atjohnson4831]

This film changed my life, at an impressionable age no doubt, but it is nonetheless timeless and cherishible, a classic of actorship and directorship with an attention to detail that after over a decade past still warms my soul. Thanks to everyone involved in the making, you make the world a better place

[@kybone25]

Well said and it did the same for me!!

[@kybone25]

And for me:)

[@jimdavis8391]

Such a shame Richard Griffiths couldn't be there, miss him :(

[@maninchair6648]

RIP Richard , what a wonderful man.

[@fijiarc2090]

Is that uncle Monty?

[@EVILBUNNY28]

@@fijiarc2090 PFFFFFFFFFT!!!?!?! Is that Uncle Monty??!? You should be ashamed 😟😠😡😤 ....Just kidding. Yes it is, Unfortunately he passed away in 2013 dues to complications from cardiac surgery. He will forever be missed.

[@fijiarc2090]

@@EVILBUNNY28 @EVILBUNNY28 Crikey sorry haha, jokes aside though - that is sad rest in peace Richard Griffiths

[@Theomite]

I don't think he would've been there anyway. He was always kind of evasive in general and especially regarding WITHNAIL. I think he'd talk about HARRY POTTER before he talked about WITHNAIL.

[@UnitGFC]

Had never heard of this movie, one of my pommy mates introduced it to me. Can’t thank him enough for doing so.

[@getheroutofthetruck]

Great moderator. A rarity for film Q&A's

[@britishfilminstitute]

Great! Thanks for your comment.

[@TheIkaraCult]

indeed! An underrated skill

[@emjayay]

Usually the moderator is someone from the film society or something and suck, but the actors and directors save it. On the other hand if that guy can't stop eating he should get a surgery.

[@stevolution666]

The Phil Jupitus interview wasn't quite there

[@alexmac1999]

It's actually heart breaking to hear Bruce describe his experience of sexual abuse and have it played for laughs. Were he a woman, it would be so different. Nobody would be laughing. And it has clearly stayed with him, as it would with anyone.

[@vikingsong2068]

Women aren't responsible for men sexually abusing males or males feeling they can't talk about it. Scapegoating women doesn't achieve anything.

[@annaandersson1555]

I agree! So sad..!

[@lenoregorman4688]

Yeah, I didn't laugh.

[@gadaffi1000]

Seems like it was a right of 'passage' for a lot of us in the 70's, especially those like myself who found ourselves at the receiving end of the grubby hands of the priests who taught us. I find it sad but there is a dark humour lurking within that is actually one of the things that defines us Brits.

[@dean952]

Lighten up, Francis. We all had to deal with it. Always will.

[@Mrz-sb1hw]

Richard and Paul will always be the greatest in withnail and I. It's the best parts they ever played.

[@andysmith8890]

I watched this at The Dukes Playhouse in Lancaster this when it was first released. I was young. I must have watched it 100 times since minimum and I’m 58 now……its a comfort and a pleasure to watch it every single time

[@matthewreohorn3585]

We've come on holiday by mistake ... Love it .

[@TVSkyrama]

I wrote my honours degree dissertation on "Withnail & I". Superb film that works on so many levels to ensure it has become a classic.

[@TheInfinityChamber]

Hi Sam, that sounds interesting. Do you think I might be able to read that?

[@KnoxBronson]

@@TheInfinityChamber Yes!

[@peternicholls8529]

I would also like to read this lol

[@philiplindsay225]

George Harrison of The Beatles financed some of the finest British films ever made including W & I .

[@chrisbacos]

The Quiet Beatle helped reinvigorate what was a moribund British film industry.

[@triggrnc9563]

Time Bandits and Withnail to name just two of Handmade's catalogue.

[@lithos86]

And the masterpiece Life of Brian

[@TheBaconWizard]

Including Life of Brian!

[@stevebinning977]

In addition to the wonderful films mentioned in these comments there were also two other brilliant Handmade Productions made around this time both starring the late great Bob Hoskins namely Mona Lisa and The Long Good Friday

[@shaitarn1869]

The 'explicit language' warning made me smile; I don't think any Withnail & I fans are bothered by that!

[@punkisinthedetails1470]

"Mauve" 😮

[@sianiswack633]

The explicit warning was for the content of the interview

[@nickthelick]

Met Richard outside his house on Persham Road, I was delivering food to his neighbour... "Didn't expect to meet Withnail today!" He grinned... Loved it, both of us! 😁

[@thecinematicmind]

One of my all time favourite Q&A's at the BFI Southbank. So happy to be there, both absolute legends. :)

[@zootsoot2006]

Most rewatchable movie ever made

[@OutRAjious]

good new word…

[@JeffreyGillespie]

The fact that Bruce Robinson is still alive with his level of intake is astounding to me.

[@JohnDoe-vz7bn]

Jeffrey Gillespie dont think he ever gave up smoking either

[@sianiswack633]

I'd love to read the book of Bruce Robinson.

[@freechordsthetruthmarceden8277]

A thing of wonder and beauty. Saw at as a youth - butterstains from crumpets on poetry books - in a squat in Croydon, up from (Nr) Broadstairs Bruce to seek my fortune. Perfect, right thru to Hamlet's soliloquy ❤

[@offbeat65]

'Smoking in Bed', a book of interviews with Bruce is a goldmine of Withnail-related trivia - and more hilarity.

[@r4b32t11]

I have watched This Masterpiece too many times. I can lip Sync it.. Its always new to me…. Superb movie

[@michaelwalls4346]

Sublime, Withnali & I got me through some dark times in the late 80s and early 90s.

[@peterbamforth6453]

Bloody Brilliant Many thanks for posting.

[@arianajeann]

As a young female Paul McGann's Irish good looks has kept me coming back ;) Glad they did not cut him.

[@nickgodfrey1148]

I thought Paul McGann was English?

[@gmann6269]

It was very good of them to find a Richard Griffiths lookalike to host this.

[@kybone25]

hahahhaha

[@CountBeetle]

The greatest film ever made. Even if he doesn't make another

[@kelvintrott8443]

I had the pleasure of meeting Richard at a charity event for withnail and he was a superb , genuine bloke as was Paul McGann. They had time for everybody unlike the actor who played the Camberwell Carrot character, sorry forgot his name!

[@landscapedetective4064]

The 'Camberwell Carrot' character, Danny the Drug Dealer, was played by Ralph Brown - coincidentally he also played DJ Bob Silver in 'The Boat That Rocked' on which I was a humble film extra. I met Paul McGann years ago in London, when he was appearing on 'Up On The Roof' and you're quite right - he was a genuine bloke.

[@jassonsw]

I really feel for Bruce when he was describing the encounter with Zeffirelli. I had a similar experience with a much older, slightly famous musician in his car. It still makes me shudder a bit!

[@Liface]

This discussion is SO funny. Bruce Robinson is a great storyteller.

[@r.pmcmurphy2158]

i thought that heavy bloke was, uncle Monty...

[@maninchair6648]

We lost him a while back, he's cracking the boards in Heaven now :)

[@squeeth2895]

@@maninchair6648 I hope he managed to play The Dane.

[@williamr3840]

He will never play The Dane... :0(

[@bartsshorts]

oh you went to eton?

[@joelrobinson3127]

YES very good resemblance to Richard Griffiths

[@Mind-Candy]

The film works because at some time in your young life you have experience of one or more of these situations everyone can relate to the character's creations well done to everyone for creating a timeless classic of true englishness .

[@oldgit4260]

Great anecdotes, great interview

[@norwegianzound]

2:44. Photos of Grant prior to shooting show he was not overweight. Hence the expression on his face when Robinson says he was.

[@MJ-dq8ik]

One of my favorite films ever! So quotable.

[@djsickmick9890]

Mr. Grant, thou art a delight!!

[@AgenticSwamp]

Brilliant interview!

[@darreng4248]

such a great film and absolutely perfect as it is, I wouldn't change a single thing about it

[@Robhalifax]

I had a friend back in the 90's who was a larger than life character who had all these catchphrases and sayings. He was always centre of attention. It was only a few years later when I watched Withnail I realised that his whole persona and repertoire of catchphrases was from this movie. Im not sure what the actual person was like underneath it.

[@JonJonJonJonJonJonJonJon]

i think youve just described every seeingly witty and intelligable comments in the youtube comment section. Always recyled and respewed shamelessly

[@Cu3oid]

It’s quite astonishing how light-hearted and amused they’re reacting to such a horrific abuse story. Male abuse isn’t treated so differently to female. Wow

[@fredcollierfinishingtouche6701]

Cubic andi what utter tosh!

[@maryrose4712]

Please do not bring boring woke shit into the comments. We love the movie cause it's unwoke.

[@_Wombat]

I agree. Remember that before metoo sexual assault wasn't taken seriously in the industry, and male sexual assault is still not taken as seriously as female. A shame, but it will change.

[@_Wombat]

@@maryrose4712 also I'm not sure what you're on about. The film was very 'woke' for its time by discussing homosexuality and black rights in the sixties.

[@redstar7292]

What about tarantino who showed male rape in pulp fiction.?.I think it was shown for what it was an assault. And is highly uncomfortable. It's not made into something titillating.

[@suzannezoubeck5216]

Feckin' hysterical and brilliant interview. Classic much beloved (and deservedly so) film. Can't believe I have something in common with Bruce Robinson (sort of). Went to visit someone upstate NY living in a college town in the late 60s who was a musician living with a bunch of other guys in their band. They had one lightbulb in the house that they all would unscrew and carry around to the room that was being used by the majority of them. I wasn't well off, but I could afford to buy a few lightbulbs so I went out and managed to find a store that had some (I'd never been in this town before so I didn't know if I'd be successful in my quest since it was late in the day), made the purchase, went back and put them in, and was very bemused as the guys eyes were growing wide, accompanied with much "whoa"ing, at the arrival of more illumination than they'd seen in a while. There was no way I was going to stay in this house for any length of time the way it was. I mean, going to the bathroom in a strange house in the dark (this is before I started carrying a mini-flashlight in my bag)? I don't think so. Jeesh! Have no idea if they kept all the bulbs in after I left because I'm sure it would have raised their electric bill (unless it was included in the rent). ❤☮🌎

[@carryonmalarking]

Tears hearing this - Both sad and elated! - Marvo Forever LOVE this film - and I don't watch many - I like to make artsy stuff and avoid screens much of the time but I love to sit in a darkened room listening to dawn chorus !!! - and maybe, I ought to begin to write as many, many ideas flow in those moments... Abs Brill film - espech the clock twice a day ref at opening ... Bloody excl Xx

[@_BhagavadGita]

We want the finest wines available to humanity. We want them here, and we want them now!

[@OsofoGriot]

Legit GOLDEN interview right here

[@grimblegrumble]

Thanks for uploading and sharing this!

[@1chienandalou]

This is so awesome!! Loving all the anecdotes and even some of the ones I'd heard before had new details.

[@traffic71]

When I first saw the thumbnail for this I thought the bloke on the right was Richard Griffith!!

[@GertrudePerkins]

I adore Bruce Robinson! Lovely man and very, very funny! 😍

[@Merlinthehappypig]

His experience with Zeffirelli is turned into a bit of a joke here, but it's actually really unfortunate. If it was a woman who said the same thing nobody would have laughed. Zeffirelli essentially promised Robinson fame, money and a Hollywood career then used his power to sexually assault him. If Robinson kicked up a fuss about it he would have been fired and sent back to poverty in England which probably would have ruined his acting career.

[@charlieburns4272]

Yes but he is also brave enough and honorable enough to accept that he put himself in that situation. Hes not blaming anybody or carrying a victimhood around which would have definitely ruined his career and probably left him an addict. It appears to me he saw the funny and tragic side of it all and You know just kept truckin. Lesson learned. Beware of big fat rich mushy queers😂

[@quintonbroster2994]

Endlessly quotable my all time favourite film

[@luciensanchez6451]

I mean to interview you two even if it has to be burglary!

[@maninchair6648]

Fork it!

[@hplovehandle]

Nice one Sanch.

[@teacakelake5098]

LOVED this!

[@warwicklambertcom]

Great interview about the Greatest movie of its time...

[@oliver4941]

I just watched one of my all time favourite films “Still Crazy” and found this with Bruce Robinson et al on Brexit 😂😂 I couldn’t agree more 😘

[@hudsonrobert49]

Hi I found “Still Crazy” Downloaded it and I enjoyed it very much, Thank you.

[@nyccolm]

Bruce is so correct- that was an absolutely brilliant Stan Laurel moment in the police station. So funny. Richard E Grant was momentarily inhabited by Stan Laurel, no doubt.

[@giantrobot5804]

Incredible work here. Fantastic interview.

[@andysmith8890]

Unbelievably great Film 👍

[@regniblet4682]

Monty lives!

[@andrewwilson6477]

Funny. Only took me a year to give reponse :-D

[@DC-js4gk]

Was thinking that precise thought at the very moment I read this

[@pippipster6767]

Anton Boludo French or sum’t

[@pippipster6767]

Anton Boludo He were up here with his son.

[@mrjamescurry]

Londom Type

[@trevorbrown6654]

What a great interview. Really entertaining and funny too. The film is probably Richard and Bruce's finest hour and some great stories behind it. Somehow the script is full of endlessly quotable dialogue. "Scrubbers...scrubbers... (up yours Grandad!)....little tarts they love it" still makes me laugh as does "Get in the back of the van". The casting was absolutely bang on with this too. Obviously Richard doesn't remember everything in it fondly but he also knows it's probably his most beloved performance and has built a successful career on it. Bruce is right in that the film was lightning in a bottle and a sequel would have been a very bad idea.

[@GaryMcKinnonUFO]

"... vignettes of humour ..." and therein lies the meat. Absolute fucking classic, not enough positive adjectives.

[@mikebeeton4982]

Superb, brilliant enough said !

[@alexandermccarthy]

This conversation needs to be made in to a film!!

[@CastlesForEyes]

Great film, great interview

[@jwildfry3283]

An Absolute classic. Have seen it 4 times.

[@stephenhumphrey7935]

Who else thought that the portly gentleman was Richard Griffiths? 🤣🤣

[@Earl-Dumarest]

great interview much hilarity loved it.

[@mmuussee100]

we still love it and always will

[@richardclark6858]

Pure genius.. Top 5 all time..

[@malloid]

This is gold. Almost as funny as the film!

[@Resenbrink]

This was a real treat.

[@TheChugg11]

Richard E Grant’s first go at acting was with Gary Oldman and his first film was Withnail and I: jammy git!

[@RonWylie-gk5lc]

Paul should have been there for this, it is THAT much of a landmark film. This was one of those perfect storms that happen very rarley, script, actors and crew all come together to make something perfect in every way, bless you Bruce and thank you

[@Celtopia]

One of the best films ever made,....

[@Sheriff_GrimLaw]

From the thumbnail I thought that was Uncle Monty hosting!

[@gwasgray9309]

5:15 "The I character says "Who's the huge spade in the bath?" I would never write that line now, but this was 1960 and we called, we called..." A spade a spade?

[@TheGodParticle]

it was set in 1969 and they are selling hippy wigs in woolworths lol

[@earthstick]

On that note why does Star Wars still have a dark side? Shouldn't they all be transgender eggplants who eat nothing but nothing.

[@storageheater]

@@earthstick weirdly, your kernel of a point isn't helped by shitting yourself like that

[@earthstick]

@@storageheater Are you joking? The comment is an overt troll intended to antagonise snowflakes. And then you came along 😄❄

[@storageheater]

@@earthstick I'm glad you got so much amusement out of a single response in six months. Covid hitting you hard?

[@marcocipriani9747]

Fantastic!

[@cookedit]

I honestly thought looking at the thumbnail the interviewer was the late, great, Richard Griffiths.

[@mortuaryartist]

Goblin Kid so did I . Bless him, a wonderful film

[@2trainsrunning]

Richard Starkey (aka Ringo Starr) is credited in the film as 'technical advisor' (from memory). I wonder if he actually rolled the Carrot?

[@noveltybobel]

For the first couple of seconds I thought it was Richard Griffiths sitting with them ha!

[@willzer808]

Magnificent

[@gadaffi1000]

Perfectly perfect.

[@hayleyava7398]

My favourite 🎥 fim. Simply perfect.✨

[@jupitermoongauge4055]

I'm in a car this very moment driving not 2 miles away from Crow Crag.

[@Gabez9]

Gerrof the phone

[@BaddaBigBoom]

Did you remember to bring the aspirins?

[@roosterthembones4475]

@@BaddaBigBoom Don't threaten me with a dead fish.

[@antonystringfellow5152]

@MM M Likely raining. Lived and worked up in that area for 5 years and Shap does get more than it's fare share of rain... as does all of the Lakes. Nice area though! Post Office interior hadn't changed since the 60s by the looks of it, and that was only 10 years ago. I did get to see the Eagle once, while up above Haweswater one evening, after work. There was a great little pie shop there too. The chap wanted to be a chef but had inherited his fathers butcher's shop so he started making pies. Damn good pies!!! We don't have pies here in Brazil. Still, the weather is a little better.

[@andrew7taylor]

Ponce!!!

[@lesakramer8369]

LOVE...From Boston, first seen the scene/movie (PS: Love How to Get Ahead in Advertising); STILL love from Nor Cal. x.

[@drkim7392]

'I loathe those Russian plays', says Withnail. Yet his character, I think, has been drawn from a Russian 19th century play 'Forest' by Alexander Ostrovsky. A film made in the USSR in 1980 by the famous director Vladimir Motyl and based on that play has so many similarities with the British classic released in 1987 that they can hardly be dismissed as a coincidence. Two unemployed miserable actors, one of them is an eccentric named 'The unhappy one', or Neschastlivtsev, a possible prototype for Withnail, and his sidekick decide to visit the estate of Neschastlivtsev's rich and older relative who flirts with a young man. They dress up and pretend to have successful careers but leave after their true social standing is revealed and a scandal erupts. At the end the friends part and Neschastlivtsev recites a soliloquy from Schiller's 'Der versöhnte Menschenfeind'. The soliloquy expresses more or less the same feeling as Shakespear's 'What a piece of work is a man!' (Mensch! Herrliche, hohe Erscheinung!) Even if you don't speak a word of Russian, the ending of the 'Forest' might be of interest as it seems almost identical to 'Withnail and I', go to kzbin.info/www/bejne/eKupomCKoK6NfJI and start at 1:28:45

[@redstar7292]

I liked the acting jokes. All out of work thespians always go on that various very famous actors can't act for toffee & got there by nefarious means especially if they used to know them pre fame.

[@jimmyoddsocks8666]

V interesting - thanks!

[@friendlier]

Wonderful interview. Although I was quite confused at first, as I thought that was Richard Griffiths on the right.

[@regmunday8354]

Richard writes vividly about all this in his memoir With Nails .

[@Намастерус-ш7м]

Самый культовый фильм, спасибо всем, за этот шедевр

[@valmarsiglia]

I once saw Richard Grant at an airport and shook his hand, told him I was a big fan. I resisted the urge to quote Withnail, which I hope he appreciated, though because I'm a Gen-X schlub I'm sure he clocked me before I even said hello.

[@knownpleasures]

That interviewer looks like Monty😂

[@tjchesney4997]

I thought-at first-that the man doing the interview was Richard Griffith

[@Wolfie99]

I watched this by mistake.

[@BrendanGuildea]

Wolfie I see what you did there, ponce!

[@Wolfie99]

@@BrendanGuildea Don't get uptight with me man! Cos if you do, I'll have to give you a dose of medicine!

[@hiramhackenbacker9096]

@@Wolfie99 Balls, I'll swallow it and runa mile

[@fredcollierfinishingtouche6701]

Frank Spencer cool your boots man.

[@StratsRUs]

The theme music is perfect too.

[@dirkbogarde44]

I thought that was Richard G on the right for a sec.