The movie world is hard and fickle, and it isn't easy to predict in advance which films will become cult classics, and which do not. But Bruce Robinson's 1987 film Withnail and I, based loosely on his own memoirs as an unemployable acting student, sure earned the moniker quickly enough. With career-defining performances and an infinitely quotable script, it has fans aplenty.
And now, Arrow UK has lovingly done a 2K digital restoration, removing specks, dirt, and telecine wobbling from the available print. The end result looks spectacular on Blu-ray, and to celebrate all that, Arrow created a lovely Special Edition for it, limited to 2,000 pieces. Through their website you could even order a customized version, but the "regular" Limited Edition shown here sure is spectacular enough already.
It's a 200-page hardcover book with the film slotted in the back, on Blu-ray and DVD, loaded with extras. As an extra-extra, the follow-up collaboration between Bruce Robinson and star Richard E. Grant is also included on Blu-ray and DVD: How To Get Ahead In Advertising. The set is a beauty, so here is a gallery of pictures of it:
And here is the package, covered with a slipcase featuring the Ralph Steadman artwork, which was originally used for the posters.
Inside the slipcase: a thick hardcover book.
The book is a beautiful 200-pager. To be entirely honest, that sounds like more than it is, as there are many white pages and the font used is huge (possibly to enable reading while drunk or stoned?).
Still, it looks incredibly classy and the contents easily beat those of most booklets.
The back of the book houses the four discs:
-One Blu-ray and DVD for Withnail and I
-One Blu-ray and DVD for How To Get Ahead With Advertising
While How To Get Ahead With Advertising has just the trailer and a short interview with the producer as extras, the Withnail and I disc is positively loaded: two commentary tracks, nearly two hours of interviews and documentaries... very good stuff!
All contents displayed, and a fine set it is. It's limited to just 2,000 pieces, so collectors may want to hurry...
(Note of warning: the Blu-rays are region-locked and will only play on a region B player.)