Wittgenstein
Seen it?1993 | 72 min | Drama, History, Comedy
Saturday Specialearly ratingWhy it’s a Saturday Special
It earned strong reviews (83% on Rotten Tomatoes), despite soft box office. A strong pick for the weekend.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who wants a laugh and history buffs. If you loved Judy or All the Way, start here.
- The mood
- Funny with heart.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 12 min.
- What might put you off
- Nothing much for most grown-ups.
A dramatization, in modern theatrical style, of the life and thought of the Viennese-born, Cambridge-educated philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein, whose principal interest was the nature and limits of language. A series of sketches depict the unfolding of his life from boyhood, through the era of the first World War, to his eventual Cambridge professorship and association with Bertrand Russell and John Maynard Keynes. The emphasis in these sketches is on the exposition of the ideas of Wittgenstein, a homosexual, and an intuitive, moody, proud, and perfectionistic thinker generally regarded as a genius.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
83% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesNot counted
Not measured yet: not enough ratings
- AwardsWeak
1 win and 0 nominations from smaller awards and festivals
- Box office & staying powerBelow par
$40K worldwide; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactBelow par
About 24K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Derek Jarman
- Clancy ChassayYoung Wittgenstein
- Karl JohnsonLudwig Wittgenstein
- Michael GoughBetrand Russell
- Tilda SwintonLady Ottoline Morrell
- Kevin CollinsJohnny
- Nabil ShabanMartian
- Sally DexterHermine Wittgenstein
- Lynn SeymourLydia Lopokova
- Jill BalconLeopoldine Wittgenstein
- Gina MarshGretyl Wittgenstein