Othello (Welles, 1952)

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Film Description

Some sequences in 'Othello' would work just as effectively as silent film, such is Welles' genius for evoking moods through the stark contrasts between light and shade, windswept exteriors and shadowy citadel corridors. Welles uses less than half of Shakespeare's text, but his concentration on short-lived rage and dread, rather than slow-burning tension, captures the essence of the tragedy, and the camerawork makes our perspective as warped as Othello's view of Desdemona. Micheal MacLiammoir's lank-haired, whining Iago is a fine foil for Welles' proud, imposing Moor.

Film Information

DVD Extras

Restored; Welles' short film 'Return to Glennascaul'; 'Restoring Othello' featurette; trailers; production stills.

Technical Details

Film Media

1 Still

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Reviews & Articles

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Review by anonymous on

Haunted leading man, femme fatale, dark, brooding - all the elements of film noir combine in a masterly adaptation. "This is Shakespeare filmed with love and powerhouse enthusiasm, never with reverence.. A very great film noir" Time Out.

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Article - "Shakespeare on Film - Recommended Double-bills" by Daniel Rosenthal
Thursday 12th April 2007

Shakespearean cinema divides into two broad schools: 'original-text' films such as Olivier's Henry V, which retain Shakespeare's sublime poetry and prose, and 'genre adaptations', whose re-imagined Shakespearean characters speak conventional movie dialogue. This comm...  View article in full

Collections & Lists

This film is part of the following Film Collections

Film Noir

Including: Basic Instinct, Body And Soul, Body Heat, Brick, Call Northside 777, Chinatown, Crossfire, Dead Reckoning, Detour (1945), Double Indemnity.

Palme D'Or Winners

Including: All That Jazz, Apocalypse Now Redux, Blow-up, Brief Encounter (Lean, 1945), Dancer in The Dark, Elephant, Kagemusha, La Dolce Vita, Marty, MASH.

Shakespeare - The Complete Film Works

Including: 10 Things I Hate About You, A Midsummer Nights Dream (BBC, 1981), A Midsummer Nights Dream (Noble, 1996), A Winters Tale (BBC, 1981), A Winters Tale (Rohmer, 1992), Alls Well That Ends Well (BBC), Animated Shakespeare Act 1 (The Taming of the Shrew & Macbeth), Animated Shakespeare Act 2 (Julius Caesar & Twelfth Night), Animated Shakespeare Act 3 (Hamlet & The Tempest), Animated Shakespeare Act 4 ( A Midsummer Nights Dream & Richard III).

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