5.6
Where can I stream The Ballad of Reading Gaol legally?
GoodWatch doesn't know of a legal streaming option for The Ballad of Reading Gaol in the United States right now. Pick another country in the Where to Watch section to check elsewhere.
The Ballad of Reading Gaol
1988·Movie
The Ballad of Reading Gaol fingerprint
Immersive world, strong craft, low-key.
Energy
Calm and low-key
Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.
- Tension6
- Adrenaline3
- Spectacle3
Heart
Deeply moving and melancholic
- Pathos9
- Melancholy8
- Romance7
Humor
Plenty of sharp wit
- Wit & Wordplay8
- Dark Humor2
- Absurdist Humor1
World
History, the mind, and society
- Dialogue Centrality9
- World Immersion7
- Novelty7
Craft
Standout dialogue, performances, and characters
- Dialogue Quality9
- Acting8
- Character Depth8
Style
Standout visual style and cinematography
A distinctive visual signature.
- Visual Stylization9
- Cinematography8
- Editing6
Energy
LowCalm and low-key
Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.
The Ballad of Reading Gaol is calm and low-intensity. The story builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.
All energy traits
- Tension6Edge-of-your-seat suspense and pressure.
- Adrenaline3High-energy, pulse-pounding intensity.
- Spectacle3Scale and set-piece grandeur.
- Violence3Physical conflict and intensity.
- Fast Pace2Quick tempo and momentum.
- Scare1Frightening moments and scares.
Related traits
- Slow Burn9Gradual build with payoff.
- Bleakness8Grim, stark outlooks.
- Grotesque6Macabre, distorted imagery.
Heart
LowDeeply moving and melancholic
Emotionally, it's deeply moving, melancholic, and romantic.
All heart traits
- Pathos9Deeply moving, empathetic emotion.
- Melancholy8Bittersweet, reflective sadness.
- Romance7Love stories and emotional connections.
- Catharsis7Emotional release and payoff.
- Hopefulness3Optimism and uplifting resolve.
- Wonder3Awe, discovery, and amazement.
- Wholesome2Heartwarming, uplifting feelings.
- Nostalgia1Warmth of memory and retro vibes.
- Family Dynamics1Relationships and generational ties.
- Coming of Age0Personal growth and self-discovery.
Related traits
- Philosophical9Ideas about life and existence.
- Bleakness8Grim, stark outlooks.
- Character Depth8Rich, complex characterization.
All humor traits
- Wit & Wordplay8Clever dialogue and verbal humor.
- Dark Humor2Humor from taboo or grim topics.
- Absurdist Humor1Surreal, nonsensical comedy.
- Satire & Parody1Sharp critique and playful imitation.
- Situational Comedy0Humor from everyday scenarios and setups.
- Physical Comedy0Slapstick and visual gags.
- Cringe Humor0Awkward, uncomfortable laughs.
World
HighHistory, the mind, and society
Its world is built around history, the mind, and society.
All world traits
- Dialogue Centrality9Stories driven by conversation.
- World Immersion7Depth and sensory richness of setting.
- Novelty7Fresh ideas and invention.
- Rewatchability6Invites repeat viewing.
- Ambiguity6Open-endedness and uncertainty.
Related traits
- Historical9Period settings and real events.
- Psychological8Inner worlds and mind games.
- Social Commentary8Perspectives on society and norms.
- Crime6Heists, investigation, and underworld.
- Class & Capitalism6Wealth, power, and inequality.
- Politics5Thought-provoking works exploring political themes.
Craft
HighStandout dialogue, performances, and characters
The dialogue, performances, and characters stand out.
All craft traits
- Dialogue Quality9Sharp writing and memorable lines.
- Acting8Performance craft and presence.
- Character Depth8Rich, complex characterization.
- Direction7Vision and command behind the camera.
- Narrative Structure7Story architecture and form.
- Complexity7Layered plots and ideas.
- Intrigue6Curiosity and investigative pull.
- Non-linear Narrative1Time-shifts and structure play.
- Meta Narrative0Stories about storytelling.
Related traits
- Philosophical9Ideas about life and existence.
- Slow Burn9Gradual build with payoff.
- Novelty7Fresh ideas and invention.
Style
MediumStandout visual style and cinematography
A distinctive visual signature.
Look and sound: the visual style and cinematography stand out.
All style traits
- Visual Stylization9Distinctive aesthetic signature.
- Cinematography8Visual composition and camera work.
- Editing6Pacing and structure through cuts.
- Music Composition6Score and musical identity.
- Music Centrality6The score or soundtrack shapes the emotional experience.
- Sound Centrality5Sound design as core element.
Related traits
- Dialogue Centrality9Stories driven by conversation.
- Grotesque6Macabre, distorted imagery.
Who it's for
AdultsFriends NightPartner WatchSolo WatchThought-Provoking
Skip it if
You need an uplifting moodYou want fast pacing
Find more like it
Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.
About
Oscar Wilde’s famous and eloquent defence of love – made while he was being cross-examined at the trial that led to his incarceration and death – is strikingly illustrated, word by word, with Mapplethorpe-like imagery.
Poetic DramaVisually StrikingHistorical BiographyPhilosophical ExplorationTragic RomanceMeditative & SomberArtistic ExpressionSocial CritiqueLiterary Adaptation
Actors
Crew
Directed by:
Written by:
Produced by:
Composed by:
Titles like The Ballad of Reading Gaol
nearer = more alike
8
You are here: The Ballad of Reading Gaol
Tap a poster to move
You are herePreview
vscompared with The Ballad of Reading Gaol
The Ballad of Reading Gaol1988
Point at a poster to compare itHold a poster to compare it
This pageTap it to move here
A chip fills to its level. Tap a full one for titles without that trait, a low one for titles with it.
Open a page:The World to Come (2021)The Unbearable Lightness of Being (1988)Nights of Cabiria (1957)Queer (2024)A Place in the Sun (1951)Women in Love (1969)Dangerous Liaisons (1988)The Homesman (2014)The Deep Blue Sea (2011)Hamlet (1990)Othello (1995)The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948)Les Misérables (1998)The Night of the Iguana (1964)The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant (1972)Cold War (2018)The End of the Affair (1999)A Dangerous Method (2011)A Special Day (1977)The Promised Land (2023)The Wings of the Dove (1997)The Tragedy of Macbeth (2021)Agora (2009)Senso (1954)The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999)Passing (2021)Camille (1936)Day of Wrath (1943)Hamlet (1948)Greed (1924)Separate Tables (1958)Transit (2018)Woyzeck (1979)The Seventh Seal (1957)The Conformist (1971)Death in Venice (1971)Lust, Caution (2007)Grand Hotel (1932)Sweet Country (2018)Phoenix (2014)McCabe & Mrs. Miller (1971)Women Talking (2022)Ashes and Diamonds (1958)Belle de Jour (1967)The Petrified Forest (1936)A Passage to India (1984)Johnny Got His Gun (1971)Ammonite (2020)Anna Karenina (2012)The Death of Robin Hood (2026)Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai (2011)Parade's End (2012)The Children's Hour (1961)Raise the Red Lantern (1991)Burnt by the Sun (1994)Diary of a Country Priest (1951)Sophie's Choice (1982)The Nightingale (2018)Chéri (2009)Gloomy Sunday (1999)Mildred Pierce (2011)Perry Mason (2020)The Earrings of Madame de... (1953)Valmont (1989)
Sequels and Prequels
No sequels or prequels available
Media
Questions about The Ballad of Reading Gaol
Quick answers from GoodWatch data.
Is The Ballad of Reading Gaol worth watching?
46
MediocreGoodWatch scoreReviews are weak, with a GoodWatch score of 46/100 (IMDb 5.6). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.
What is The Ballad of Reading Gaol rated?
Disturbing imagery
Content advisories: disturbing imagery.
How long is The Ballad of Reading Gaol?
0 h 42 min
The Ballad of Reading Gaol runs 0 h 42 min.
What language is The Ballad of Reading Gaol in?
English
It was made in English. Produced in United Kingdom.
In how many countries can I watch The Ballad of Reading Gaol?
3
GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for The Ballad of Reading Gaol in 3 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.