Scripts
Withnail and I poster

1987

Withnail and I script

In 1969 London, two unemployed, alcoholic actors, Withnail and 'I', live in squalor and despair, constantly arguing about their lack of money, wine, and prospects. Desperate for a change, they convince Withnail's wealthy, effeminate Uncle Monty to lend them his remote country cottage for a holiday, lying to him that 'I' is gay and interested in him. Their rural retreat quickly devolves into a series of misadventures as they struggle with the harsh conditions, local farmers, and their own incompetence, culminating in Monty's unexpected arrival and his advances towards 'I'. After 'I' confronts Withnail about his deception and announces his departure for a new acting role, they return to London, only to find their flat occupied by their drug dealer, Danny, and his associate.

Writer
Bruce Robinson
IMDb ID (imdb_id)
tt0094336
Script date
1987
30Scenes
8Characters
41Pages
4Dialogue samples

Save the Cat beat sheet

Withnail and I Save the Cat analysis

Two struggling actors, Withnail and I, endure creative stagnation and squalor in their dilapidated London flat before impulsively escaping to a remote cottage offered by Uncle Monty.

Open full beat sheet
75

Key characters

I

I is listed as Protagonist. An unemployed, neurotic actor living in a squalid flat in London. In the parsed data, I is connected to 29 scenes, 60 dialogue lines, 60 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.

29 scenes / 60 dialogue lines

Withnail

Withnail is listed as Protagonist. An alcoholic, unemployed actor, friend of 'I'. In the parsed data, Withnail is connected to 28 scenes, 53 dialogue lines, 67 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.

28 scenes / 53 dialogue lines

Monty

Monty is listed as Supporting. Withnail's wealthy, effeminate, middle-aged uncle. In the parsed data, Monty is connected to 3 scenes, 7 dialogue lines, 13 text mentions, first appearing around scene 10.

3 scenes / 7 dialogue lines

Danny

Danny is listed as Supporting. A drug dealer and purveyor of rare herbs. In the parsed data, Danny is connected to 3 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 9.

3 scenes / 1 dialogue lines

Parkin

Parkin is listed as Supporting. A local farmer near the cottage. In the parsed data, Parkin is connected to 3 scenes, first appearing around scene 15.

3 scenes / 0 dialogue lines

Presuming Ed

Presuming Ed is listed as Supporting. Danny's associate. In the parsed data, Presuming Ed is connected to 2 scenes, first appearing around scene 27.

2 scenes / 0 dialogue lines

Jake

Jake is listed as Supporting. A local poacher. In the parsed data, Jake is connected to 1 scene, first appearing around scene 20.

1 scenes / 0 dialogue lines

Raymond

Raymond is listed as Supporting. Landlord of the Crow and Crown pub. In the parsed data, Raymond is connected to 1 scene, first appearing around scene 20.

1 scenes / 0 dialogue lines

Scene outline

  1. 1. INT. The Flat - DAY

    I tries to wake Withnail for tea, then leaves the flat.

    I, Withnail

  2. 2. INT. The Cafe - DAY

    I eats at a cafe and contemplates his inability to cope with Withnail.

    I

  3. 3. INT. The Flat - DAY

    Withnail and I argue about their lack of wine, the state of the flat, and their health.

    I, Withnail

  4. 4. EXT. The Park - DAY

    Withnail and I discuss their failed acting careers and the need to get away.

    I, Withnail

  5. 5. INT. The Flat - DAY

    Withnail drinks lighter fluid in a desperate attempt to get drunk.

    I, Withnail

  6. 6. EXT. The Street - DAY

    They walk toward the pub.

    I, Withnail

  7. 7. INT. The Pub - DAY

    A confrontation occurs at the pub with a large man.

    I, Withnail

  8. 8. INT. The Bathroom - DAY

    I shaves while Withnail brings food and mentions Danny is visiting.

    I, Withnail

  9. 9. INT. The Flat - DAY

    Danny visits and tries to sell them drugs.

    I, Withnail, Danny

  10. 10. INT. Monte's house - DAY

    They visit Uncle Monty to ask for the cottage.

    I, Withnail, Monty

  11. 11. EXT. The car - DAY

    They drive to the countryside.

    I, Withnail

  12. 12. INT. The cottage - NIGHT

    They arrive at the cold, spartan cottage.

    I, Withnail

  13. 13. INT. I's bedroom - DAY

    I wakes up and goes to the farm to find food.

    I

  14. 14. INT. The cottage - DAY

    I returns and they argue about the lack of fuel.

    I, Withnail

  15. 15. EXT. The field - DAY

    They confront the farmer, Parkin.

    I, Withnail, Parkin

  16. 16. EXT. Cottage exterior - DAY

    Withnail and I ask Parkin for fuel and food; Parkin agrees to bring logs and a chicken.

    I, Withnail, Parkin

  17. 17. INT. Cottage - DAY

    Withnail and I struggle with the live chicken and cooking.

    I, Withnail

  18. 18. INT. Phonebox - DAY

    Withnail makes a frustrating phone call to his agent.

    I, Withnail

  19. 19. EXT. Fields - DAY

    Withnail and I encounter a bull while crossing a field.

    I, Withnail, Parkin

  20. 20. INT. Crow and Crown Pub - NIGHT

    Withnail and I drink at the pub and meet Jake the poacher.

    I, Withnail, Jake, Raymond

  21. 21. INT. Cottage - NIGHT

    Uncle Monty arrives at the cottage.

    I, Withnail, Monty

  22. 22. INT. Withnail's room - NIGHT

    I confronts Withnail about his lies to Monty and announces his departure for London.

    I, Withnail

  23. 23. INT. The cottage - DAY

    I and Withnail find a note from Monty and receive a telegram regarding a job.

    I, Withnail

  24. 24. EXT. The car - DAY

    Withnail drives in heavy rain while I struggles to see.

    I, Withnail

  25. 25. EXT. The car - DAY

    Withnail drives recklessly, gets pulled over by police, and is arrested.

    I, Withnail

  26. 26. INT. Police station - DAY

    Withnail is caught using a fake urine device.

    Withnail

  27. 27. INT. The flat - DAY

    Withnail and I return to find Danny and Presuming Ed occupying their flat.

    I, Withnail, Danny, Presuming Ed

  28. 28. INT. The lounge - DAY

    Danny rolls a massive joint while discussing politics and the end of the decade.

    I, Withnail, Danny, Presuming Ed

  29. 29. INT. The flat - DAY

    I prepares to leave for the train station.

    I, Withnail

  30. 30. EXT. The Park - DAY

    I and Withnail part ways; Withnail recites Hamlet to the wolves.

    I, Withnail

Dialogue examples

I have of late, but wherefore I know not, lost all my mirth and indeed it goes so heavily with my disposition that this goodly frame the earth seems to me a sterile promotory; this most excellent canopy the air, look you, this mighty o'rehanging firmament, this majestical roof fretted with golden fire; why, it appeareth nothing to me but a foul and pestilent congregation of vapours. What a piece of work is a man, how noble in reason, how infinite in faculties, how like an angel in aprehension, how like a God! The beauty of the world, paragon of animals; and yet to me, what is this quintessence of dusk. Man delights not me, no, nor women neither, nor women neither.

Withnail / Scene 30

Monty you must listen! We're in an affair, we have been for years. But he's estranged, he won't allow himself to admit it. That's why he's rejecting me while you're here. On my life Monty, this is the first time in six years we havn't slept together. I couldn't cheat on him, it would kill him.

I / Scene 22

Yes you are! Of course you are. You're only saying that to deny your relationship with him. It's not his fault that he can't love you any more that it's mine that I adore you. Can't we allow ourselves this one moment of indiscretion? He need never know.

Monty / Scene 22

You're looking very beautiful man. Have you been away? St. Peter preached the epistles to the apostles looking like that. Have you got any food.

Danny / Scene 9

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