ADDITION: (August 2010) Image Entertainment Region 'A' - Blu-ray: Technically the Starz region FREE UK Blu-ray image transfer is superior but because of the way Withnail and I was shot - I don't think it is such an important factor. My software indicates the Image Entertainment is about 1/2 the size on the single-layered disc and has about 2/3's the bitrate. There aren't strong examples of differences and they tend to support each other's color scheme although the US edition is less vibrant and has less of a greenish tinge - I really prefer that but have no evidence that this is an accurate theatrical look. Unlike Time Bandits, Image Entertainment have given this Blu-ray rendering a progressive transfer.  

The audio is almost identical to my ears in regards to the Linear PCM 2.0 channel track that both have but the Starz does offer the, basically unutilized, 5.1 surround option in HD as well. This has optional English subtitles while the UK Blu-ray does not - and my Momitsu has identified it as being a region 'A'-locked.

No extras save a trailer but the Starz has over an hour's worth of video supplements including the documentary... but they are in PAL.

It seems obvious that the UK region FREE edition is the way to go for most important aspects of the package - and it is also 65% OFF at the writing of this review. That is the way we suggest to achieve the best dollar value. My only bugaboo if the greenish-ness of the Starz but, as I say, maybe it is supposed to look this way. The film continues to grow on me... kind of a counter-cultural slice served on white toast with beans - big circle of HP.

***

Okay - this is pretty easy to sort out - Criterion spine #119 was one of their worst ever DVD transfers. It was non-anamorphic (widescreen letterboxed) and it was interlaced (see combing last large capture) - unfortunately advertised as 'Exclusive uncut widescreen version, supervised by director of photography Peter Hannan'. <eyebrows raise>

Starz have released the film, over 8 years later, on, a reasonably weak, and certainly not stellar, Blu-ray. Both editions come close to the original aspect ratio of 1.85:1. The Criterion is about 1.80:1 and the Blu-ray is 1.78. The DVD seemed heavy in earthy browns and the Blu-ray is bathed in an off-putting green. It's hard to think that either release are representing the film colors totally accurately but I have no way of identifying which may be more correct. The 1080P transfer remains somewhat hazy but is still a far superior image than the Criterion letterboxed DVD. I suspect the same transfer was used as in Starz 2006 DVD 3-disc 20th Anniversary Edition. There may have been some DNR usage explaining the softness and lack of grain. 

For audio Criterion have stuck with a flat mono track and the new dual-layered Blu-ray offers two options - an uncompressed linear PCM 2.0 channel and a superfluous DTS-HD Master 5.1 at 2010 kbps. The film is heavily dialogue-driven (BTW, with some of the great quotes in modern cinema) but the more robust LCPM is probably the way to go. It sounds cleaner and less tinny. The Criterion offer English subtitles but the Starz have none - which is a shame for those less comfortable with the UK accents in Withnail and I. Good news for North Americans is that my Momitsu has identified it as being a region FREE disc playable on Blu-ray machines worldwide.

The Blu-ray has more supplements although they are all in PAL. Duplicated are the 25-minute 1999 documentary Withnail & Us, a trailer and Ralph Steadman gallery of images. Additional on the Starz are humorous featurettes including Postcards from Penrith, The Drinking Game, a 2-minute Swear-A-Thon with more 'baser' expressions used in the film and, finally, an interesting and frank Handmade Films and I - Bruce Robinson interview running 15-minutes. Ohhh, the Criterion do add a full, folded, poster and 6-pages of liner notes.

A brilliant script produces an instant and enduring classic - if mostly solidified within a niche. The Criterion DVD was soon 'Dunsel' and is bested in all areas by the new Blu-ray - which, however, is not on totally solid ground with the image which could definitely look better. It seems though an enticing purchase as such a film won't be coming out in the higher resolution by another distributor anytime soon. Withnail and I is still endlessly amusing and as this seems the best, at present, way to see, and appreciate, the film in your home theater - we encourage those willing to accept the less-stellar aspects to indulge.       

Gary W. Tooze