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Wittgenstein

Wittgenstein

Drama · History · Comedy · 1993

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.

Movie details

Wittgenstein

“If people never did silly things nothing intelligent would ever get done.”

1993 Drama · History · Comedy 1h 12m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

6.4 / 10

Community rating

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.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over Wittgenstein?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

Derek Jarman

Written by

Terry Eagleton · Derek Jarman · Ken Butler

Clancy Chassay

Clancy Chassay

Young Wittgenstein

Karl Johnson

Karl Johnson

Ludwig Wittgenstein

Michael Gough

Michael Gough

Betrand Russell

Tilda Swinton

Tilda Swinton

Lady Ottoline Morrell

K

Kevin Collins

Johnny

Nabil Shaban

Nabil Shaban

Martian

Sally Dexter

Sally Dexter

Hermine Wittgenstein

Court is in session

Put Wittgenstein on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Prestige Tourist

“Ambition earns the room.”

The film reaches for consequence and scale, accepting the risk of seriousness instead of shrinking from it.

The prosecution The Popcorn Loyalist

“Importance has entered the chat.”

The production keeps announcing its significance, as though awards-season posture were proof of insight.