Wings of Desire

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Wings of Desire

PG-13

1987

2h 8m

Fantasy

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Popcornmeter

95%

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65 Reviews

93%

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25,000+ Ratings

Two angels, Damiel (Bruno Ganz) and Cassiel (Otto Sander), glide through the streets of Berlin, observing the bustling population, providing invisible rays of hope to the distressed but never interacting with them. When Damiel falls in love with lonely trapeze artist Marion (Solveig Dommartin), the angel longs to experience life in the physical world, and finds—with some words of wisdom from actor Peter Falk (playing himself)—that it might be possible for him to take human form.

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Critics Consensus

Beyond ravishing, Wings of Desire is Wim Wenders' is aching and heartbreaking exploration of how love makes us human.

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Pauline Kael

The New Yorker

09/15/2023

To put it simply, Wings of Desire has a visual fascination but no animating force -- that’s part of why it’s being acclaimed as art.

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Joe Clay

The Times (UK)

06/28/2022

Wim Wenders’ astonishing, award-winning fantasy drama depicts life in a divided Berlin through the eyes of angels.

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Danny Leigh

Financial Times

06/23/2022

5/5

If some restorations of classic films are mere spit and polish, this one is spectacular: a deepening and sharpening of existing beauty.

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Charles Mudede

The Stranger (Seattle, WA)

05/11/2024

...utterly beautiful and provides a document for West Berlin just before the fall of the wall...

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Erick Estrada

Cinegarage

06/21/2023

An example of the most inspired Wim Wenders. [Full review in Spanish]

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

05/24/2023

4/4

One of those rare motion pictures that manages to bring a true poetic sensibility to the medium of film.

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Triston W

@Triston1 Jun 28

Not for me, but appreciate the concept

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Leprechaun K

@LeprechaunKing May 7

This movie is extremely boring. Two full hours of watching some guy walk around doing nothing with a monotone voice over. Visually, the camera work is slow-pace, flat, and unexciting. Movie contains zero entertainment value. This movie was made in the 80's but it has the look and feel of a 40's or 50's movie. Not even Falk can save this disastrous incoherent mess.

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bao s

@RT77741678 Jan 25

The scene with Cave's song and their meeting. I've only felt this way about 3 or 4 time while experiencing a film. Absolute beauty.

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Kaan B

@RT58387574 Oct 13

People sometimes forget to appreciate the small things in life. This film will remind you in such a beatiful way.

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Bososkey J.

@Oscarj Jul 25

this movie, is hard to elaborate on. it is certainly a top 5 for me with my only subjective gripe being the ending going on for too long which I can’t knock it for. 10/10

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Stephen C

@bob25009 06/10/2025

Success in 2 hours and 8 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! In German and English versions with English subtitles!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Wim Wenders

Director

Bruno Ganz

Daniel

Solveig Dommartin

Marion

Otto Sander

Cassiel

Curt Bois

Homer

Peter Falk

Self

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Synopsis

Two angels, Damiel (Bruno Ganz) and Cassiel (Otto Sander), glide through the streets of Berlin, observing the bustling population, providing invisible rays of hope to the distressed but never interacting with them. When Damiel falls in love with lonely trapeze artist Marion (Solveig Dommartin), the angel longs to experience life in the physical world, and finds—with some words of wisdom from actor Peter Falk (playing himself)—that it might be possible for him to take human form.

Director: Wim Wenders
Producer: Anatole Dauman, Wim Wenders
Screenwriter: Wim Wenders, Peter Handke
Distributor: Orion Pictures
Production Co: Argos Films
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Fantasy
Original Language: German
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 1, 1987, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 23, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $120.8K
Runtime: 2h 8m
Sound Mix: Stereo, Dolby Stereo
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.66:1)