EAGLETON, Terry; JARMAN, Derek, Wittgenstein: The Terry Eagleton Script, the Derek Jarman Film (British Film Institute, London), 1993

152 x 234mm; pp. [8], 151, [1], [colour and b/w illustrations].

Very good condition: spine slightly faded; top edge and corners a little bumped.

Jarman's masterful film treatment of the life and work of Ludwig Wittgenstein was released in 1993.

Signed by Jarman underneath (and as if in homage to) the printed signature of Wittgenstein.

An important collection, not least owing to the drastic changes made by Jarman in the process of adapting Eagleton's script. Here the original script is presented, alongside a short note by producer Tariq Ali, a preface by Colin MacCabe, a meditative piece by Jarman, and the as-shot screenplay by Jarman and Ken Butler.

The film was a Japanese-UK production, originating in the idea of a series of short films on the lives of philosophers and growing to this strange, funny and astute reinterpretation of Eagleton's script, starring Karl Johnson as an utterly believable Wittgenstein. The entire film is shot against a black background, and features Michael Gough as Bertrand Russell and Tilda Swinton as Lady Ottoline Morrell.

The bleak surroundings and oddities of Wittgenstein’s life build to a sympathetic biographical narrative and a useful introduction to the philosophical work.

Exceptionally scarce signed.