Wittgenstein

Story

Synopsis

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.

Director

Derek Jarman

Writers

Ken Butler, Derek Jarman, Terry Eagleton

Language

English

Country

United Kingdom, Japan

Release date

26 March 1993

Ensemble

Cast

• 

  Clancy Chassay

  Young Wittgenstein

• 

  Karl Johnson

  Ludwig Wittgenstein

• 

  Michael Gough

  Betrand Russell

• 

  Tilda Swinton

  Lady Ottoline Morrell

• Kevin Collins

  Johnny

• 

  Nabil Shaban

  Martian

• 

  Sally Dexter

  Hermine Wittgenstein

• 

  Lynn Seymour

  Lydia Lopokova

• 

  Jill Balcon

  Leopoldine Wittgenstein

• Gina Marsh

  Gretyl Wittgenstein

• Vanya Del Borgo

  Helene Wittgenstein

• Ben Scantlebury

  Hans Wittgenstein