Wings of Desire (1988): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
Wings of Desire is a 1988 fantasy drama directed by Wim Wenders, starring Peter Falk, Bruno Ganz and Curt Bois. It runs 2 hours 8 minutes and earned $3.5 million worldwide. It won 1 award from 2 nominations, including Best Foreign Film at the Spirit Awards 1989. Critics gave it 79 on Metacritic.
- Released
- Runtime
- 2h 8m (128 min)
- Director
- Wim Wenders
- Original language
-
German - Studio
- Orion Classics
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Wings of Desire About?
The premise of Wings of Desire without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
In Berlin, the angels Damiel and Cassiel observe humanity, offering comfort and hope to those they encounter. Damiel, however, becomes captivated by Marion, a trapeze artist, and desires to experience the world as a human. Guided by the angel Peter Falk, he contemplates leaving his celestial existence to feel the joys and sorrows of life, ultimately seeking a connection with the woman he loves.
Wings of Desire Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- inner monologue
- angel
- circus
- city name in title
- dream
- suicide
- library
- actor
- mortality
- film set
- circus performance
- rock concert
+38 more Show fewer
- aerial camera shot
- existential loneliness
- old man
- actor plays himself
- falling from height
- hearing a character's thoughts
- love
- existentialism
- voice over narration
- surrealism
- angel on earth
- immortality
- berlin wall
- berlin victory column
- airplane
- philosophy
- berlin germany
- blood
- musician
- rock musician
- playing a video game
- reference to homer's odyssey
- reference to philip marlowe
- reference to walter benjamin
- bible
- american abroad
- falling in love
- memory
- infatuation
- road accident
- poetry
- singer
- nightclub
- voyeur
- trapeze artist
- film blanc
- concert
- black and white to color
Wings of Desire Cast
Peter Falk leads the cast, with Bruno Ganz and Curt Bois. Directed by Wim Wenders; 5 actors are credited in all.
-
Director Wim Wenders
Also Starring in Wings of Desire
· 1 moreWings of Desire Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Wings of Desire 79 on Metacritic.
-
Metacritic 79 Metascore
User score 7.6
See on Metacritic
Wings of Desire Plot Summary
What happens in Wings of Desire from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In a Berlin split by the Berlin Wall, two angels, Damiel and Cassiel, silently observe the city, invisible to its human residents. They listen to the inner thoughts of various Berliners, such as a pregnant woman being rushed to the hospital, a young prostitute loitering on a busy street, and a despondent man who feels betrayed by his spouse. Their purpose in existence, as Cassiel puts it, is to “assemble, testify, preserve” the fabric of reality. These celestial beings have been part of Berlin since its inception, long before the first humans walked its streets.
Full summary
The whole story of Wings of Desire, scene by scene
Wings of Desire Box Office
Wings of Desire grossed $3.5 million worldwide. $3.3 million came from the US and Canada and $183,196 (5%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$3.5M
- US & Canada
- $3.3M
- International
- $183.2K
Wings of Desire Awards & Nominations
Wings of Desire won 1 award from 2 nominations, including Best Foreign Film at the Spirit Awards 1989. Its biggest night was the Spirit Awards 1989, with 1 win from 1 nomination.
1 win2 nominations2 ceremonies
-
Spirit Awards 1989 1 win · 1 nomination- Won Best Foreign Film
-
BAFTA 1989 1 nomination- Nominated Best Film Not in the English Language – Wim Wenders
Wings of Desire Trailers & Videos
9 videos: 3 trailers, 2 teasers, 2 clips and 2 featurettes.
- Trailer Official Trailer
- Trailer Official UK Re-Release Trailer
- Teaser AFS PRESNTS: WINGS OF DESIRE
- Teaser Official UK Re-Release Trailer 2
How Well Do You Know Wings of Desire?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Who are the two ethereal beings that surveil the city?
Wings of Desire Also Known As
35 alternative titles, including “The Sky Over Berlin” and “Heaven Over Berlin”.
- Also known as
-
- The Sky Over Berlin
- Heaven Over Berlin
- El cielo sobre Berlín
- Небо над Берлином
- As Asas do Desejo
- Cerul deasupra Berlinului
- Las alas del deseo
- ベルリン・天使の詩
- Il cielo sopra Berlino
- Τα Φτερά του Έρωτα
- Les ailes du désir
- 베를린 천사의 시
+23 more Show fewer
- Berliinin taivaan alla
- 柏林蒼穹下
- Himmelen over Berlin
- Lidenskapens vinger
- Skies Over Berlin
- Der Himmel ueber Berlin
- Himmel över Berlin
- 柏林苍穹下
- Arzunun Kanatları
- Berlin felett az ég
- Nebe nad Berlínem
- מלאכים בשמי ברלין
- Asas do Desejo
- Himlen over Berlin
- Niebo nad Berlinem
- Криле на желанието
- Небо над Берліном
- Nebo nad Berlínom
- 慾望之翼, ბერლინის ცა
- Cel sobre Berlín
- Dangus virš Berlyno
- ปีกเสน่หา
- Taevas Berliini kohal
Seen Wings of Desire?
Movies Like Wings of Desire
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Blue Angel, Wings of Fame and Berlin, I Love You.
Wings of Desire FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Wings of Desire, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Wings of Desire?
Wings of Desire runs 2 hours 8 minutes (128 minutes).
When was Wings of Desire released?
Wings of Desire was released on May 6, 1988.
Who directed Wings of Desire?
Wings of Desire was directed by Wim Wenders.
More films by Wim Wenders Who is in the cast of Wings of Desire?
Wings of Desire stars Peter Falk, Bruno Ganz and Curt Bois, among 5 credited actors.
How much did Wings of Desire make at the box office?
Wings of Desire grossed $3.5 million worldwide ($3.3 million domestic, $183,196 international).
How is Wings of Desire rated?
Wings of Desire has 79 on Metacritic.
What awards did Wings of Desire win?
Wings of Desire won 1 award from 2 nominations, including Best Foreign Film at the Spirit Awards 1989.
Does Wings of Desire have a post-credit scene?
No. Wings of Desire has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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