Director: Derek Jarman
Screenplay: Terry Eagleton, Ken Butler, Derek Jarman
Starring: Clancy Chassay, Karl Johnson, Nabil Shaban, Michael Gough, Tilda Swinton
Running Time: 75 minutes
Genre: Drama, biography
This film is based on the life and work of philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein (played as a child by Clancy Chassay, and as an adult by Karl Johnson). It plays out as a series of surreal sketches, against a black backdrop with only the actors and key props. Wittgenstein narrates the story of his own life, frequently breaking the fourth wall to address the viewer directly. The film tires to get not the head of the philosopher and show his ideas and inner world, some of it is genuine fantasy, such as the frequent appearance of Nabil Shaban (probably best known for his occasional appearances on Doctor Who (1963-1989, 2005- )) as a furry green alien who turns up to chat with the young Wittgenstein. Jarman regulars Michael Gough and Tilda Swinton appear as Wittgenstein's mentor Bertrand Russell and Lady Ottoline Morrell. Clancy Chassay is good as the young Wittgenstein, and Karl Johnson gives a very strong performance as the tormented adult philosopher. While it does at times feel like an offbeat fringe theatre production, the brightly coloured, exaggerated props and costumes make an effective contrast with the darkness that surrounds the action. This was Derek Jarman's last but one film, and was made while he was dying of an AIDS-related illness, however this is one of his most playful and humorous films.
"If people did not sometimes do silly things, nothing intelligent would ever get done."
- Ludwig Wittgenstein (Clancy Chassay) in Wittgenstein
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