Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #13537 in DVD
• Released on: 2003-07-15
• Rating: Universal, suitable for all
• Format: PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 170 minutes

Special Features
English
Region 0
Dolby Digital Stereo English
Dolby Digital Stereo
Scene Access
Shakespeares Othello Source And Background
Cast Profiles
Anthony Hopkins Interview

Synopsis
Shakespeare's tragic story of how a great man's vanity is manipulated by a jealous aide to bring about his downfall. A film by Stuart Burge of John Dexter's production of 'Othello' at the National Theatre.

Customer Reviews

Simply the best !!!
Put simply, this is the best Othello to have been filmed so far, and it's destined to stay that way for a long, long time. The acting, pace, direction and production are fantastic. Nothing misses the mark. Just good, traditional, gripping theater of the best quality. Olivier's Othello was a sensation at the time, and still is. Finlay's Iago is great, but I'd have loved to see Olivier opposire Richard Burton, who did the role at the Old Vic. (I sometimes feel Larry is left a little "unchallenged", if you know what I mean :-) ). Maggie Smith's Desdimona is perfect. Also, the film has finally been restored, and is here presented in widescreen, with great colour and sound. Much better than the old video version, which is all that's been available until now. If you like Shakespeare, and want to see it acted beautifully, in a production which serves the author, as opposed to some director's whim, then buy this. You won't be dissapointed. ps. The bonus interview with Hopkins says nothing, and is a complete waste of time.

Very Good
The performaces in this are universally amazing. Maggie Smith's Desdemona is the best I have seen yet, and I do not expect her to be outdone any time soon. Finlay gives a perfect performance as the coniving Iago. The pink elephant in the room, however, is Olivier's Othello. There is no denying that Olivier is one of, if not the, best Shakespearean actors, and he gives a very moving and tragic performace as Othello. While there are certainly aspects of his performance that could be considered racist, I don't believe they truely are. I have seen many black actors play Othello in a very similar fashion, thus it is hard to say that one thing or another is racist.

There is only one reason I gave this 4 and not 5 stars and that is the make-up job. The colour Olivier is painted is...odd to say the least. I imagine that this could be remidied by a good digital fix up, or simply by watching the film in black and white. I have not seen the DVD, only the VHS so I cannot say how improved it is, but in the end the film is worth watching for some amazing performances and to atleast form your own opinion of a rather controversial performace

Very impressive
At first you are impressed at the list of actors that appear (Maggie Smith, Derek Jacobi, and others). Then you are impressed with Olivier (makeup and acting style). Later you notice the great camera work that gives you the feel of the play and focuses in just the right place and time. The set gives us the feel we are watching the play (not some epic movie).
After the initial thrill you are so mesmerized by the play that all you see is the characters and the story augmented with Shakespeare's wit.
Othello and Desdemona are the perfect husband and wife. They love and trust each other implicitly. It seems that many other people especially men love Desdemona also. However, his most trusted and "honest" friend decides to act on this by treachery and deceit to convince Othello of Desdemona's alleged unfaithfulness. "The best laid plans..."
Even if you have and like other versions this is a must see and have.