Withnail's Coat

[Smithy]

Hmm - looks like it's missing a pocket and seams are different.

Certainly looks to be slightly different. I'll ask Andrea about it and see what she says.

Saying that though, IMHO I think it's one of the most magnificent looking coats I've seen so I'm not sure I'm disappointed if it is not 100% screen accurate.

 

[Seb Lucas]

It's your call but missing a pocket is a big visual difference. Its either a Withnail coat or it's not. If its just a handsome tweed coat inspired by the film that's a different thing IMO. Hopefully the photo is an anomoly.

 

[Smithy]

It's your call but missing a pocket is a big visual difference. Its either a Withnail coat or it's not. If its just a handsome tweed coat inspired by the film that's a different thing IMO. Hopefully the photo is an anomoly.

As I said I don't think I'm fussed. I love the film but I'm not looking to do a Withnail impersonation and therefore 100% screen accuracy actually doesn't bother me. I will see though what Andrea says as I will ask about the pocket, pattern and seams.

But personally, I like the style of the coat, but then I tend to be like that with movie costume. I bought a Wested Raiders recently, not because it's 100% screen accurate but because it captures the spirit of an item of clothing.

I know there are those who obsess about screen accuracy but for me, if something correctly captures the look and spirit of something I see in a film or book, and that rouses my interest, and it happens to be made and fits well, then that's enough for me.

 

[Doctor Damage]

I actually prefer the website coat to the actual movie coat, I just thought the difference was worth pointing out.

 

[Edward]

It would be interesting to know. Given that these coats are clearly offered made to order (whether off the peg or the full bespoke option), I'd have thought there'd be some room for customisation. The pocket is a nice detail (great place to stow gloves, too).

 

[MisterCairo]

Gents, I'd love to post a pic of mine, but it's at home and I'm at sea! And I'll be buggered if I can remember if there's an upper pocket, but at a guess I'd say not.

Also, I know from Andrea's previous website details and from speaking with her, there were in fact at least three jackets made for the film.

And while I cannot seem to post pics from sea, am I dreaming or are there two coats in the movie stills at this page, one with pocket upper left, one without?

http://www.andrea-galer.co.uk/fashion-store-1/mens-withnail-coat-1

I too am curious, but no doubt having a pocket included would be doable. It is nevertheless incredible, and is made from tweed fabric she has ordered for a few coats at a time. She's only made a bit over 100.

Do let us know how you get on!

 

[Seb Lucas]

I know there are those who obsess about screen accuracy but for me, if something correctly captures the look and spirit of something I see in a film or book, and that rouses my interest, and it happens to be made and fits well, then that's enough for me.

The fact that this detail doesn't matter to you is fine, of course. But... I wouldn't count this as obsessing over screen accuracy - this expensive jacket is begin sold as a copy of the movie jacket pattern - without that pocket it is a different jacket. It's a significant detail, not minutia. The details are what this place is all about. It also leads me to wonder what else was changed. I'd be interested in hearing Andrea's explanation.

 

[Dinerman]

The one with the pocket is also single breasted, though the cut of the lapels is offset from the line of buttons.

 

[Doctor Damage]

The one with the pocket is also single breasted, though the cut of the lapels is offset from the line of buttons.

I suspect the original film coat might have been a women's coat, modified for the film, or maybe an imagining of a Georgian or early Victorian era male coat of some kind. It does not look masculine at all. I like the website version better, which for what it's worth, resembles strongly the coats issued to Foot Guards officers for winter parade wear.

 

[Smithy]

I suspect the original film coat might have been a women's coat, modified for the film, or maybe an imagining of a Georgian or early Victorian era male coat of some kind. It does not look masculine at all. I like the website version better, which for what it's worth, resembles strongly the coats issued to Foot Guards officers for winter parade wear.

I must admit that I'm the same Doctor Damage, I prefer the look of the website version.

Well I have been furnished with a chart requiring a multitude of measurements, and I also need to provide a full length photo of yours truly so we're getting there, but it is reassuring that Andrea needs so much even for a non bespoke sizing. She said that even with the off the rack sizing it is still tweaked for the purchaser. I'm off to get measured properly this Saturday (just started a new job this week otherwise I would have been able to do so sooner).

Rather excited about this coat. I was also sent an image of the lining which looks exquisite!

 

[Sloan1874]

My other-half interviewed the director Bruce Robinson some years. She was walking up with his PA and saw him at the end of a corridor holding a half-empty bottle of red wine, it was 11am. She turned to the PA and said 'Oh well, that's not so bad'. The PA gave her a look and replied 'That's not his first today'.

 

[Smithy]

My other-half interviewed the director Bruce Robinson some years. She was walking up with his PA and saw him at the end of a corridor holding a half-empty bottle of red wine, it was 11am. She turned to the PA and said 'Oh well, that's not so bad'. The PA gave her a look and replied 'That's not his first today'.

Sounds much the same as REG's accounts of the casting for Withnail and I in his film diaries"With Nails", Bruce, or Bruskie as he referred to him at one point, seemed to be on the sauce most of the time!

"With Nails" is fantastic btw, well worth reading.

 

[Sloan1874]

Michael Elphick, the poacher, was an even worse drunk. He and Robinson were mates going way back - they were both friends of the real 'Withnail' - and had been due to take a much bigger role in the film. Unfortunately, when he arrived on set, it became immediately apparent that he was a barely functioning alcoholic. This forced them to work around his permanently sozzled state, with BR reduced to dangling a bottle of vodka next to the camera during takes as an incentive to Elphick to get his lines out properly.

 

[Smithy]

This forced them to work around his permanently sozzled state, with BR reduced to dangling a bottle of vodka next to the camera during takes as an incentive to Elphick to get his lines out properly.

Now that made me laugh and then some!

 

[Sloan1874]

In all but one scene it's Robinson at the wheel of the Jag. McGann, who'd just passed his test, scratched the car horribly in the scene where they arrive at Monty's house, so the director decided he would have to take the wheel to protect the poor old Jag.

 

[Seb Lucas]

Certainly looks to be slightly different. I'll ask Andrea about it and see what she says.

Saying that though, IMHO I think it's one of the most magnificent looking coats I've seen so I'm not sure I'm disappointed if it is not 100% screen accurate.

Be sure to let us know why she says the jackets vary. You might well "prefer" the website version but she still owes other potential customers an explanation for the difference.

 

[MisterCairo]

Be sure to let us know why she says the jackets vary. You might well "prefer" the website version but she still owes other potential customers an explanation for the difference.

You're assuming there was only one official screen version and that Andrea is somehow conning the public.

It's been noted that there are different versions used in the film. Please don't jump to conclusions. She is a BAFTA and other award winning costume designer, she doesn't need to con anyone.

 

[tropicalbob]

Off topic, I think, but thanks for reminding me of Robinson's novels. "The Autobiography of Arthur Penman" is a really funny, well-written, and twisted little book.

 

[Seb Lucas]

Robinson is a heck of a writer- his essay about Withnail and I is astonishing. He was off the booze for many years, until he met Johnny Depp...

 

[MisterCairo]

Smithy, have you moved forward at all on the coat?

Updates would be marvellous!

I'm about one month away from being able to see mine again!

Sean

Now that made me laugh and then some!