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Wittgenstein

1993·Movie
1h 12min·NR
76
GreatGoodWatch score

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Wittgenstein fingerprint

Funny, immersive world, low-key.

Energy

Calm and low-key

Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.

  • Spectacle4
  • Tension3
  • Fast Pace2

Heart

Emotionally reserved

  • Melancholy6
  • Pathos5
  • Wonder5

Humor

Plenty of sharp wit and absurdist humor

  • Wit & Wordplay8
  • Absurdist Humor7
  • Satire & Parody6

World

A real life story, history, and the mind

  • Dialogue Centrality10
  • Novelty9
  • World Immersion7

Craft

Standout dialogue, direction, and performances

Layered plot that rewards full attention.

  • Dialogue Quality9
  • Direction8
  • Acting8

Style

Standout visual style and cinematography

A distinctive visual signature.

  • Visual Stylization9
  • Cinematography8
  • Editing7

Who it's for

AdultsFriends NightPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchThought-Provoking

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About

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

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.
Philosophical BiopicStylized DramaIntellectual ComedyAbsurdist & QuirkyDialogue-DrivenExperimental CinemaQueer ThemesMeta-Narrative ElementsHistorical Figures

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about Wittgenstein

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Wittgenstein legally?

You can watch it free with ads on Kanopy, Hoopla, and Plex. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is Wittgenstein worth watching?

76
GreatGoodWatch score

Mostly. It's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 76/100 (IMDb 6.9 and Rotten Tomatoes 83%). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is Wittgenstein rated?

NR

It's rated NR in the United States.

How long is Wittgenstein?

1 h 12 min

Wittgenstein runs 1 h 12 min.

Is Wittgenstein based on a true story?

Yes. It's based on real events or a real person's life.

Do critics and audiences agree on Wittgenstein?

Critics83
Audiences73

Not quite. Critics rate Wittgenstein higher (83) than audiences (73). It may be more rewarding than it is crowd-pleasing.

What language is Wittgenstein in?

English

It was made in English. Produced in Japan, United Kingdom.

In how many countries can I watch Wittgenstein?

14CADKESFIGBGGIEITJPNONZPTSEUS

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for Wittgenstein in 14 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does Wittgenstein use?

Mathematician's AnswerSmart People Speak the Queen's EnglishStraight GayCamp StraightPrecision F-StrikeTribal Face PaintDeadpan SnarkerMore DakkaBunny-Ears LawyerAside GlanceHeroic Self-DeprecationAnachronism Stewand 3 more

TV Tropes lists 15 storytelling tropes for Wittgenstein, including Mathematician's Answer, Smart People Speak the Queen's English, Straight Gay.