Withnail and I: From Cult to Classic
£30.30£38.00 (-20%)
The definitive, in-depth exploration of the creation and legacy of the classic Withnail & I, featuring interviews, essays, and fascinating never-before-seen archive material.
Authorised by author and director Bruce Robinson, who provides an exclusive foreword, Withnail & I: From Cult to Classic charts the extraordinary journey of a beloved cult film from being ‘just thoughts really’ to becoming a permanent feature in any list of the Best British Films ever made.
For the first time the surviving players have been interviewed for this book about their parts in the making of the movie, and the lasting effect it had on their lives. Bruce Robinson offers detailed insights into his creative process and influences, while new interviews with the film’s stars Richard E Grant and Paul McGann provide personal insights into the impact that making and living with Withnail & I had.
Illustrated throughout with never-before-seen photography and archive material, and featuring contributions from famous fans like Sam Bain, Margaret Cho and Charlie Higson, this is the definitive, must-have book on Withnail & I.
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Additional information
| Publisher | Titan Books, 1st edition (5 Sept. 2023) |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Hardcover | 160 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 1803362391 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-1803362397 |
| Dimensions | 26.31 x 1.78 x 31.19 cm |
by Alison O.
This is a beautiful book with many fascinating details about the film and the varied people involved in bringing it to the screen. Great to dip in and out of and plenty of interesting photographs. Would make a great gift for anyone who has seen and loved the film.
by Ian
I have been waiting for the publication of this book for what seems like years, but was probably just months, as author / editor Toby Benjamin provided snippets of information about it to the followers of Withnail and I fan groups on Facebook.
I’ve read seven or eight books about Withnail or where the movie features large in the book. ‘Withnail & I – From Cult to Classic’ is nothing like any of them. When it arrived I was surprised by the format, it’s a coffee table book and that’s a good thing because upon opening it the first thing I saw was the photographs and the quality of them. Some are colour snaps, taken by crew members and their friends and probably printed at Boots, but there are lots of Murray Close’s wonderful mono stills from the movie. Withnail fans will be familiar with some of them, a number have done the rounds on the internet for years. But Benjamin provides loads more, so many photographs never before seen. Even without the words, the book would be treasured just for the photographs. Slip off the dust jacket and the front cover is a superb portrait of Grant and McGann – no title, no names, just the portrait.
I read the book from cover to cover, though it suits being dipped into. The book is engagingly set out, with interviews of cast and crew, four essays and the thoughts of various famous fans. I was delighted to read in the acknowledgements a message to the followers of Withnail Facebook groups! A really nice touch, that.
The book is political in places, as is the movie. The first bit I read was the foreword by Bruce Robinson and he launches into a terrific rant, which I loved.
Of the audience pieces, which vary in size, I liked Diane Morgan’s especially, but a pleasant surprise near the end of the book was that of journalist Richard Fleury who writes about the cars in the film.
Perhaps the best thing about the book was the details about a film I thought I knew all there was to know. Like Olly Smith, Withnail would probably be my Mastermind specialist subject. There are details about the performances in the movie which were a joy to discover but no spoilers here, you will have to find them yourselves. But they add to my appreciation of ‘Withnail & I’ and I watched it again after reading the book and saw something Paul McGann comments on in the scene with Jake, something I’d never noticed before in the innumerable times I’d watched the film. I also really enjoyed the interviews with Rick Wentworth and David Dundas about the music, they too will add depth to further viewings.
For all this gushing, are there any negatives? The only thing I would have liked more of is something about Toby Benjamin himself. He generously pushes his subjects forward, the introduction is all about the contributors to the book, but I would have liked to read about how he got into the movie, and what it is about ‘Withnail & I’ that resonates so much with him.
But still. 10/10. Worth the wait. ‘Withnail & I – From Cult to Classic’ is the finest Withnail book available to humanity.
by Mr. Stephen Williams
I loved the film and this brought it all back and made me laugh out loud frequently. I immediately wanted to watch the film ….yet again. The only film that I can repeat so many quotes ….must say something ….and this book brings it all to life.
by Telecide
I’ve only just taken delivery of this but from an initial read-through it’s everything that someone who’s watched the film more than a few dozen times would have hoped for. After this, there won’t be much else to reveal to future generations but we’ll still have plenty to talk about and quote endlessly in the meantime.
by AndyS1000
What an absolutely brilliant book which is a must for any Withnail and I fan. Crammed with really insightful interviews with all the cast and film production team with pieces written by many famous fans. Toby has had access to never before seen on set photos by Murray Close and many of Bruce Robinson’s own film memorabilia. It is a beautiful and fitting tribute to one of the greatest films known to man. Bruce Robinson’s support for the book is clear throughout and it gives the most in depth delve into how the film was shot and all of the problems he surmounted to make the epic film it is. Any self respecting Withnail fan should have a copy of this on their bookshelf. The large size format and multitudes of photos make it so nice to dip into time and time again. Well done Toby for putting such and epic book together and thank you to Bruce for supporting you in this endeavour and for making the film in the first place. Chin Chin Toby and Bruce. I’m off for the finest wines known to humanity and another dip in to what should be a bestseller.
by c a morris
Was not what I expected but good quick delivery.
by william moriarty
Being a Withnail obsessive, and having read many other books on the film, I did not know if I would just be retreading old water. Not so. It’s a handsome book, luxuriously packaged, and the photographs and illustrations within would make purchase for any Withnail and I fan worthwhile on its own. But, there are also a wide array of interviews with people involved in all aspects of the film, giving previously unseen insights into the movie. There are some fascinating essays on the film’s enduring appeal. I particularly enjoyed Martin Keady’s essay on the screenplay. This fine book is definitely for the Withnail fan who (wrongly) thought he/she had everything Withnail they ever needed in their lives. Chin chin.
by Amazon Customer
Beautifully written and surprisingly informative, somehow makes you feel that you were there when this bittersweet miracle of a film came about.