Wittgenstein

Name: Wittgenstein
Genre: Drama, History, Comedy
Released: 1993-03-26
Duration: 1 h 12 min
Rating: 6.4
Cast: Clancy Chassay, Karl Johnson, Michael Gough, Tilda Swinton, Kevin Collins

1993·Movie·NR·72 min·★ 6.4(92)

DramaHistoryComedy More English titles

“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.

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Where to watch Wittgenstein in United States

Can I watch Wittgenstein in United States? Yes — you can stream Wittgenstein in United States on BFI Player Amazon Channel, Kanopy, and Hoopla.

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BFI Player Amazon Channel

Click a service to open Wittgenstein there. Availability last verified on September 30, 2026.

Where is Wittgenstein streaming around the world?

Country	Streaming on	Rent / Buy
United States	BFI Player Amazon Channel, Kanopy, Hoopla, Plex	—
United Kingdom	BFI Player, BFI Player Amazon Channel, BFI Player Apple TV Channel	Apple TV Store, Amazon Video
Canada	Hoopla	—
Spain	Filmin	—
Japan	—	FOD

About Wittgenstein

Wittgenstein is a 1993 English-language drama, history and comedy film directed by Derek Jarman. The cast is led by Clancy Chassay, Karl Johnson, Michael Gough. It has a runtime of 1h 12m. Viewers rate it 6.4/10 across 100 ratings. In United States, it is currently streaming on BFI Player Amazon Channel, Kanopy, Hoopla.

Wittgenstein was produced by BFI, Bandung Productions, and Channel 4 Television and made in Japan and United Kingdom. It was released on March 26, 1993, and carries a NR certification.

Director: Derek Jarman
Writers: Terry Eagleton, Derek Jarman, Ken Butler
Release date: March 26, 1993
Original language: English
Age rating: NR
Status: Released
Country: Japan, United Kingdom
Production: BFI, Bandung Productions, Channel 4 Television

#biography#lgbt#gay theme

Wittgenstein cast & crew

Wittgenstein was directed by Derek Jarman and written by Terry Eagleton, Derek Jarman, and Ken Butler.

The cast features Clancy Chassay as Young Wittgenstein, Karl Johnson as Ludwig Wittgenstein, Michael Gough as Betrand Russell, Tilda Swinton as Lady Ottoline Morrell, Kevin Collins as Johnny, and Nabil Shaban as Martian.

Behind the camera, the score was composed by Jan Latham-Koenig, cinematography is by James Welland, and it was produced by Takashi Asai and Ben Gibson.

Is Wittgenstein worth watching?

Wittgenstein holds an audience score of 6.4/10 from 92 ratings, a solidly received drama films.

At 1h 12m, it's an easy, time-light watch.

If you enjoy drama, history, and comedy, Wittgenstein is worth a place on your watchlist.

How and where to watch Wittgenstein

In United States, you can stream Wittgenstein on BFI Player Amazon Channel, Kanopy, Hoopla, Plex, and Plex Channel. Click any service above to open it directly.

Streaming rights change country by country and month by month, so the options above reflect United States today — switch your country at the top of the where-to-watch section to see availability elsewhere.