Thirst On Screen 1

Matt Smith shares one of his favourite scenes from one of Britain’s biggest cult movies.

The Film: Withnail and I (1987)

The Drink: Lighter Fluid

The Story: It’s London in 1969. Withnail (Richard E Grant ) and 'I' (Paul McGann) are thespians in crisis, living in elegant squalor in Camden, North London.

This is one of the most booze-soaked films ever made; I remember there was an old game among students, where you watched the film and tried to match Withnail and I drink for drink. Popular opinion being that anyone actually doing that would be dead before the end of the first reel……Even with so many scenes of drinking, one chooses itself:

Out of work, dole check spent, it’s cold and there is not a drink in the house.

WITHNAIL: “I must have some booze, I DEMAND TO HAVE SOME BOOZE” (spies a can of lighter fluid and pulls the cap off with his teeth).

I: “I wouldn’t drink that if I was you”

WITHNAIL: “Why not?”

I: “Cos I don’t advise it. Even the wankers on the sidewalk don’t drink that, that’s worse than meths.”

WITHNAIL: “Nonsense! This is a far superior drink to meths! The wankers don’t drink it because they cant afford it”

Withnail drinks and a maniacal look appears on his face.

WITHNAIL: “Got any more?”

I: “No”

WITHNAIL: “LIAR! What’s in your toolbox? You’ve got anti-freeze!”

I: “You bloody fool, you should never mix your drinks!”

Where to experience in KL: DON’T!