Quotes From "Withnail & I" Trivia Quiz

Answer: booze

"I demand to have some booze."

A good answer guess in a quiz about 'Withnail & I' is alcohol. I'm not sure Withnail spends a single moment in this film either not drunk or not drinking. This quote occurs near the start of the film, when Withnail and 'I' are still in the flat in London. Withnail also laments his lack of a job in this scene. These early scenes are very important in establishing the level to which Withnail has sunk, both in terms of his career and his alcoholism.

Answer: in butcher's shops

"I can never touch meat until it's cooked. As a youth I used to weep in butcher's shops."

Monty is one of the more eccentric characters around. His passion for vegetables is unprecedented. At this time Uncle Monty is attempting to prepare a meal. He uses this as an excuse to make 'I' very uncomfortable, by invading his personal space quite badly. Withnail, of course, is enjoying the visit a lot more and spends a great deal of time drinking his way through Monty's extensive alcohol collection. Later we find out that Withnail has told Monty that 'I' is available, in order to procure the keys to the cottage, and Monty's behaviour towards 'I' through his visit to the cottage becomes more transparent.

Answer: "Pick up signals from the cosmos"

"Hairs are your aerials. They pick up signals from the cosmos and transmit them directly into the brain. This is the reason bald-headed men are uptight."

These are words of wisdom from Danny - possibly the wisest idiot in the land. He speaks with such authority about everything that you almost believe him, until you think about what he's just said. This is the first of two times that we meet Danny in the film. He manages to rub Withnail up the wrong way quite quickly, with a derogatory remark about the suit that he is wearing. Danny threatens Withnail with a challenge to take "the embalmer", but sanity prevails on Withnail's part as Danny wants money for it. When Danny removes his glasses in this scene, we see the devastation behind the eyes. The audience is left in no doubt as to who would win in a competition between the two involving drugs. 'I' further backs this up with this comment to Withnail, "He's had more drugs than you've had hot dinners".

Answer: A rather frosty reception from a country local

'I' tries to buy some food and fuel from the farmer's mother. He is unsuccessful and has the door slammed in his face, prompting this thought. This leads 'I' to the conclusion that country people are no more receptive to strangers than city dwellers. He goes back again and convinces the woman to tell him where he can get food and firewood.

Answer: Humanity

"We want the finest wines available to Humanity. We want them here, and we want them now."

This is one of many times that Withnail calls for a drink. It is perhaps one of the themes of the film. This particular occasion takes place in the Tea Rooms. The very drunk Withnail and 'I' upset some locals by ordering "cake and fine wine". They are generally being not particularly gracious, and are clearly drunk. The locals take exception to this and the police are called, but the pair leave before the phone call can be completed.

Answer: The suggestion that he didn't do the washing up

Withnail: "Why don't you use a cup like any other human being?"

I: "Why don't you wash up occasionally like any other human being?"

Withnail: "How dare you? How dare you! How dare you call me inhumane?"

This little dialogue prompts Withnail into attempting to do the washing up. The devastation in the kitchen would be a feat for anyone to manage on purpose, never mind by accident! Of course, Withnail doesn't actually manage to do anything, and it ends up with 'I' donning some gloves ("That's right, don the gloves. Don't attempt anything without the gloves.") and attempting to start the cleaning process, before the pair give up and visit the local park.

Answer: God help us!

A very serious situation indeed for an alcoholic of Withnail's standard! The walk around the park where this quote is heard is prompted by Withnail's attempt at doing the washing up. When the pair are unsuccessful, they go to the park to rejuvenate. This is where 'I' first has the idea of getting away to the countryside. Withnail is less enthusiastic, saying "Rejuvenate? I'm in a park and I'm practically dead. What good's the countryside?"

Answer: a bum!

"We've got to get some booze. It's the only solution to this intense cold. Something's got to be done. We can't go on like this. I'm a trained actor reduced to the status of a bum! I mean look at us. Nothing that reasonable members of society demand as their rights. No fridges, no televisions, no phones. Much more of this and I'm going to apply for meals on wheels."

This is obviously quite a low point for Withnail, compounded by, or more likely because of, a complete lack of alcohol. Most of the first scenes in the flat before the pair go away, are filled with Withnail's complaints and demands for various things, generally booze and a job.

Answer: a few ales

This is another gem from Withnail. Withnail tries to speed up the pair's return by taking over the driving while 'I' is asleep. However, not only is Withnail very drunk, he has no license. His erratic driving soons draws the attention of a police van, and he is forced to pull over.

When questioned about his sobriety, Withnail comes out with this line, which, if anything, only serves to convince the officer that he is drunk. After being asked to get out of the car, and making no effort to move, the door is opened for him. Withnail has obviously been using the door as a support and almost falls out. We never find out what the consequences of this are. Back at the station Withnail is found using a device, supplied to him by Danny, in an attempt to cheat the urine test.

However, in the next scene, Withnail is present, so somehow he may have managed to get away with it.

Answer: "You bloody fool. You should never mix your drinks!"

This is possibly my favourite line in the film. Of all the reasons in the world not to drink anti-freeze, is that the best one? Well, it doesn't really matter, as Withnail proceeds to laugh hysterically and then throw up on 'I's shoes. 'I' then has to scrub them with essence of petunia. This leads to an unpleasant encounter with a large Irishman in a pub who threatens to murder the pair.