Withnail and I (Remastered) Blu-ray from Arrow

[Akijama]

Withnail and I Blu-ray

Newly restored in 2K resolution, this special release includes new and classic archive interviews, a 200-page coffee table book with rarely seen behind-the-scenes images, various articles on the film from critics and those who made it as well as personalised packaging for a truly unique edition. Choose your packaging below!

http://arrowvideo.com/withnailandi/

LIMITED EDITION PERSONALISED PACKAGING. ONLY 500 EACH OF FOUR DESIGNS.


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New 2K restoration of WITHNAIL and I from the original camera negative, supervised and approved by director of photography Peter Hannan
Bruce Robinson’s follow-up feature, How to Get Ahead in Advertising, newly transferred from original film elements and approved by director of photography Peter Hannan
High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard Definition DVD Presentation of both films
Original uncompressed mono 1.0 PCM audio for both films
Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard-of-hearing
Audio commentary by writer-director Bruce Robinson
Audio commentary by critic and writer Kevin Jackson, author of the BFI Modern Classic on WITHNAIL and I
All four original ‘Withnail Weekend’ documentaries, first screened on Channel 4 in 1999, including The Peculiar Memories of Bruce Robinson, which looks at the director’s career, Withnail & Us, which focuses on the film’s making, and two shorter documentaries, I Demand to Have Some Booze and Withnail on the Pier
Newly filmed interviews with key members of WITHNAIL and I’s behind-the-scenes team
Theatrical trailers for both films
Exclusive limited edition hardback book packaging (2,000 copies) containing new writing on the films, reprints of key articles on WITHNAIL and I, deleted scenes and more across 200 pages, illustrated with original production stills
More to be announced!

[Show spoiler]https://twitter.com/ArrowFilmsVideo/...92233483063296

A new 2K scan from the original camera negative.

[Ill_Be_Back]

This is very surprising, I have been holding back on buying the current releases because they were sub-par maybe this release will change that.

[Sky_Captain]

I only paid £3 for the original Anchor Bay release, so I wouldn't mind splashing out on a brand new transfer.

[Villiam Hayes]

Originally Posted by Sky_Captain

I only paid £3 for the original Anchor Bay release, so I wouldn't mind splashing out on a brand new transfer.

I think I paid about a fiver but I agree,I would double dip if the new transfer was up to it.

[Skog]

Paid about a fiver too but this will be my first triple dip.

[Simon_LDT]

Yes please. Arrow are killing it at the minute. They're seriously on par with Criterion at the moment in regards to artwork, content and quality. With MOC and Arrow, the UK are looking good for future release of classic cinema!

[Trigger89]

I have never seen this but I hear its a good show. If Arrow do a good job with the transfer, I'll purchase

[Dunk the Lunk]

Originally Posted by Akijama

A new 2K scan from the original camera negative.

[/center]

I'm sure it'll be great but wouldn't have been better for them to do a 4K scan? Release as 1080p now and re-release with little extra work in 4K in 5 years (or sooner)?

[MichaelB]

Originally Posted by Dunk the Lunk

I'm sure it'll be great but wouldn't have been better for them to do a 4K scan? Release as 1080p now and re-release with little extra work in 4K in 5 years (or sooner)?

Not in financial terms - this would push the production budget way up, with no guarantee of a corresponding return given that there's no 4K market in the UK yet, and there may never be a substantial one for back-catalogue material. And even if such a market does eventually emerge, Arrow may no longer hold the UK distribution rights when it happens.

In other words, what's in it for them?

[Melodious Thunk]

I knew there was a reason I didn't upgrade my DVD copy yet. Looking forward to seeing this new master...

[Akijama]

The countdown has begun..

http://arrowvideo.com/withnailandi/

[Aardvark_DK]

Ooooooh...

My thumbs have gone weird!

[BigNickUK]

Originally Posted by Akijama

http://arrowvideo.com/withnailandi/

Would love a 2nd Steelbook

[Skog]

One of my favourites. Easily top 5. Gotta wait for payday but I'm def getting this. Design #2 for me, will go nicely with my steelbook.

[Freddofeet]

I selected design 3, and picked quote number 10

[skyofcrack]

Originally Posted by sheldo

I think the fact that you're using dollars in your post shows that this release is probably not for you. It's one of those select few british movies that has a dedicated following up there with Trainspotting, Sexy Beast, Four Weddings, Lock Stock IMO. Dunno how well Withnail or any of those "best British" movies play (or sell) to US audience as some tend to walk thin line between cult and mainstream.

I'll sit back and be corrected on how Withnails following in US is

I understand this film has a following which I didn't know about and I'm very interested in seeing it but the price point is too high.

The reason I used $ dollars in my post is because I don't have a £ symbol on my keyboard and have to find it elsewhere and copy/paste it.

Originally Posted by charnier

To be fair skyofcrack, this release has already had two releases on BD; Arrow now has to make it the definitive release, and the 2k resto only goes some of the way.

It is a gamble and it may very well not pay off, but I have to give them props for trying - personalisation is a nice touch.

I think the type of film involved also makes a difference - Synapse' Demons and Mondo Vision's Zulawski BDs were sold for comparable prices, yet with the latter titles no one complained about the prices.

If you want to see eye-watering prices for one release, check the French boxset of Les Tontons Flingeurs.

I bought both Demons SB's from Synapse and it's about the same as this one film package.

I also bought Arrow's Battle Royale LE for £50. I spent nearly 70 EUR for the German Once Upon a Time in the West deluxe set.

This edition just seems too high and I think the personalization is pointless.

If Synapse did a similarly priced edition for Suspiria, I would buy it begrudgingly.

I also bought many laserdisc boxed sets for $100 a pop.

I wouldv'e bought it for £50 through Arrow's regular site with free shipping but adding an additional £15 is a joke.

I've blind bought many titles for $30 and would happily do so for Withnail & I just not $100.

[monkeyscreams]

Originally Posted by skyofcrack

I understand this film has a following which I didn't know about and I'm very interested in seeing it but the price point is too high.

The reason I used $ dollars in my post is because I don't have a £ symbol on my keyboard and have to find it elsewhere and copy/paste it.



I bought both Demons SB's from Synapse and it's about the same as this one film package.

I also bought Arrow's Battle Royale LE for £50. I spent nearly 70 EUR for the German Once Upon a Time in the West deluxe set.

This edition just seems too high and I think the personalization is pointless.

If Synapse did a similarly priced edition for Suspiria, I would buy it begrudgingly.

I also bought many laserdisc boxed sets for $100 a pop.

I wouldv'e bought it for £50 through Arrow's regular site with free shipping but adding an additional £15 is a joke.

I've blind bought many titles for $30 and would happily do so for Withnail & I just not $100.

Just by reading your post I think you will buy it eventually.

[skyofcrack]

Originally Posted by monkeyscreams

Just by reading your post I think you will buy it eventually.

Yeah, I'll buy the non-personalized one but not until the price drops.

[McCrutchy]

Originally Posted by skyofcrack

I understand this film has a following which I didn't know about and I'm very interested in seeing it but the price point is too high.

The reason I used $ dollars in my post is because I don't have a £ symbol on my keyboard and have to find it elsewhere and copy/paste it.



I bought both Demons SB's from Synapse and it's about the same as this one film package.

I also bought Arrow's Battle Royale LE for £50. I spent nearly 70 EUR for the German Once Upon a Time in the West deluxe set.

This edition just seems too high and I think the personalization is pointless.

If Synapse did a similarly priced edition for Suspiria, I would buy it begrudgingly.

I also bought many laserdisc boxed sets for $100 a pop.

I wouldv'e bought it for £50 through Arrow's regular site with free shipping but adding an additional £15 is a joke.

I've blind bought many titles for $30 and would happily do so for Withnail & I just not $100.

Hi skyofcrack,

A few things:

First, this release actually has two films, not one. The first film is Bruce Robinson's Withnail and I (1987), and the second is Robinson's next feature, How to Get Ahead in Advertising (1989). Both films are feature-length and were released theatrically, and both had previously been released separately on DVD by the Criterion Collection:

http://www.criterion.com/films/658-withnail-and-i

http://www.criterion.com/films/660-h...in-advertising

As we can see from the pictures and information Arrow have provided, birth films will be on their own Blu-ray Discs, and both films will have their own extras. Although it seems only Withnail and I was given a new 2K transfer, both films have been remastered from film elements for this edition.

Second, as I'm sure you know, importing a release is often going to cost more than buying it locally. However, the Synapse releases you refer to were even more expensive (and very difficult to acquire) for those outside the USA, because Synapse sold/sells them only on their web site and does not ship internationally beyond Canada.

Lastly, Arrow have also said that a non-personalized edition, which includes the hardback case and 200-page book, will be available from other vendors. This non-personalized edition is limited to 2,000 copies, and features only the original poster artwork, not a choice of four.

However, right now on Amazon,co.uk, the price is £54.99. With VAT removed however, the price drops to £45.83, and with shipping to the USA, the total is only £48.91, which is over £16 (about US $26.50) cheaper than the personalized edition from Arrow. And if the Amazon price drops, you would pay even less, with the pre-order price guarantee:

[skyofcrack]

Originally Posted by McCrutchy

Hi skyofcrack,

A few things:

First, this release actually has two films, not one. The first film is Bruce Robinson's Withnail and I (1987), and the second is Robinson's next feature, How to Get Ahead in Advertising (1989). Both films are feature-length and were released theatrically, and both had previously been released separately on DVD by the Criterion Collection:

http://www.criterion.com/films/658-withnail-and-i

http://www.criterion.com/films/660-h...in-advertising

As we can see from the pictures and information Arrow have provided, birth films will be on their own Blu-ray Discs, and both films will have their own extras. Although it seems only Withnail and I was given a new 2K transfer, both films have been remastered from film elements for this edition.

Second, as I'm sure you know, importing a release is often going to cost more than buying it locally. However, the Synapse releases you refer to were even more expensive (and very difficult to acquire) for those outside the USA, because Synapse sold/sells them only on their web site and does not ship internationally beyond Canada.

Lastly, Arrow have also said that a non-personalized edition, which includes the hardback case and 200-page book, will be available from other vendors. This non-personalized edition is limited to 2,000 copies, and features only the original poster artwork, not a choice of four.

However, right now on Amazon,co.uk, the price is £54.99. With VAT removed however, the price drops to £45.83, and with shipping to the USA, the total is only £48.91, which is over £16 (about US $26.50) cheaper than the personalized edition from Arrow. And if the Amazon price drops, you would pay even less, with the pre-order price guarantee:

Hi. I'm well aware of all of this info.

As soon as Arrow said they would have it on Amazon I checked there every 5 minutes until it popped up then I immediately checked the price in my cart. It's still too much for one or two films. I can't imagine the price going up so I'll not order until it goes down.

The Synapse Demons discs were/are available through Diabolik for international customers.

I have a general threshold for buying movies.

1. Regular DVD's - $3-$5
2. Regular BD's - $5-$7
3. Steelbooks - $10-$15
4. Limited Ed. DVD's/BD's - $40
5. Deluxe Film Sets - $50-$70
6. Boxed TV Sets - $10-$20
7. Boxed Film Sets - $20-$50

Of course, there are always exceptions.