Othello, The Moor of Venice is a tragedy by William Shakespeare, believed to be written approximately 1603. The work revolves around four central characters: Othello, his wife Desdemona, his lieutenant Cassio, and his trusted advisor Iago. Attesting to its enduring popularity, the play appeared in 7 editions between 1622 and 1705. Because of its varied themes — racism, love, jealousy and betrayal — it remains relevant to the present day and is oft performed in professional and community theatres alike. The play has also been the basis for numerous operatic, film and literary adaptations.
Othello is a 1965 film based on the Shakespeare play Othello; starring Laurence Olivier, Maggie Smith, Frank Finlay, and Joyce Redman. It was simply a filmed version of a performance by the actors for the National Theatre, staged by John Dexter, from 1964-66. It even used enlarged duplicates of the original stage settings, rather than having elaborate new and different sets built specifically for the film. Olivier's former backers for his Shakespeare films were all dead by 1965, and he was not able to raise the money to do a real film version. Olivier had in fact been planning on doing Macbeth, but the film's main backer, Alexander Korda, died a year after the release of Richard III. In the U.S., it did not play the usual several-week run given to most films; instead, it received an extremely limited release.
Ironically, it is the only Shakespeare film in which all the leading actors and actresses have been nominated for Oscars. Olivier's portrayal of Othello, for which he wore highly realistic black makeup, and for which he adopted an exotic accent of his own invention, developed a special walk, and learned how to speak in a voice considerably deeper than his normal one, is highly controversial and perhaps even offensive to some, but is considered by many to be one of his greatest achievements, and perhaps the definitive performance of the role in the twentieth century. Frank Finlay's portrayal of Iago, much too subtle onstage to make a great impression, came across brilliantly in the film version, with its effective closeups of Iago's face.
The film retains virtually all of Shakespeare's play, only omitting the Fool's scene and a few scattered lines here and there. It also does not change the order of scenes, as Olivier's Hamlet or Richard III do, and, at nearly three hours, is easily the longest theatrical film version of the play. (Most film versions of Othello have drastically cut the play, perhaps because the plot is so simple and concentrated that there is no danger of omitting important plot elements or supporting characters, as in Hamlet or King Lear.)
Othello is a play by William Shakespeare and the name of its title protagonist.
Othello can also refer to:
Among films based on the play:
Other
Othello is a 1995 film based on William Shakespeare's tragedy of the same name. It was directed by Oliver Parker and stars Laurence Fishburne as Othello, Irène Jacob as Desdemona, and Kenneth Branagh as Iago. This is the first cinematic reproduction of the play that casts an actor of African descent to play the role of Othello. The film saw highly limited release, having been shown in only a few theatres, as a result of which it only grossed US$2.8 million.
This film was originally released with an experimental sound system developed by producer Oskar Messter.
Television version of the Royal Shakespeare Company production from their 1989 Stratford and London season.
This modern crime drama uses the names of the homonymous Shakespeare play's main characters which inspired its plot. White London Metropolitan Police commissioner Sinclair Carver promises to maintain law and order and further racial integration by recruiting and promoting black and Asian officers, but is taped in the lavatory by a tabloid reporter telling his assistant commissioner Ben Jago there is no black with a brain as big as his dick, and is thus forced to resign. When the death of the black Billy Coates in custody causes racial unrest, John Othello, the only authoritative black police officer, manages to prevent riots by pointing to the press and promising to solve the case; the government names him successor to Carver over his friend Jago's head. The ambitious Ben doesn't show his furious disappointment, but must have his revenge. His plots starts by making sure racists harass Othello's white wife Desdemona, so he can have her 'well guarded' by smooth white superintendent Michael Cass, and then makes John believe he's a bit too friendly with her. Meanwhile he makes sure the Coates investigation ends in an innocent young cop's suicide and a mistrial. Now he plants false DNA proof of Dessie's infidelity - will Othello, who believes his world is crashing down, actually bring it on himself in despair? Written by KGF Vissers
The first televised version of Shakespeare's play to feature a black actor playing the title role, with a white supporting cast. It would be another forty years before a theatrical film version was made with a black actor as Othello.
The first television role of Lorne Greene.
Based on Shakespeare's play: As Venice welcomes their victorious general, Othello the Moor, back to the city, some of them are waiting for Othello to choose his new lieutenant, while others are busy courting the popular Desdemona, the daughter of a Senator. Othello chooses the loyal Cassio as his lieutenant, arousing bitter jealousy in Iago, another soldier, who vows to scheme against his general. That same night, Othello elopes with Desdemona. Othello is soon sent to Cyprus to repel a Turkish invasion, and he arranges for Iago and his wife to bring Desdemona with them to Cyprus. When Iago's wife learns of a treasured handkerchief that Othello gave to Desdemona, this provides Iago with an idea that he hopes will destroy Othello by provoking him to jealousy. Written by Snow Leopard
Iago and a comrade-in-arms are outside the Venice home of Desdemona's father, who does not yet know that she has eloped with Othello. Iago confides to his friend -- who had hoped to marry Desdemona -- that he serves Othello to further his own ends. Venice needs Othello to protect its commercial interests in Cyprus where the Turkish fleet is headed. Desdemona insists on going to Cyprus, too. In Cyprus, Iago plots to convince Othello that Desdemona has betrayed him with Cassio. A lot more than political ambition seems to be motivating Iago. Written by Dale O'Connor
Desdemona defies her father to marry the Moor of Venice, the mighty warrior, Othello. But Iago, (Othello's old lieutenant) doesn't like Cassio, (Othello's new lieutenant), and he plans, with the help of his wife Emilia, to destroy both Cassio and Othello through Othello's feelings for Desdemona. Written by Kathy Li
Iago (Kenneth Branagh) convinces Othello, The Moor of Venice (Lawrence Fishburne) that his wife, Desdemona has been unfaithful. Iago is an evil, manipulative character with his own agenda. A plot of jealousy and rage transpires in this classic Shakespearean tale. Written by Jason Ihle
Desdemona defies her father to marry the Moor of Venice, the mighty warrior, Othello. But Othello's old lieutenant, Iago, doesn't like Othello, and is determined to bring about the downfall of Othello's new favorite, Cassio, and destroy Othello in the process, by casting aspersions on Othello's new bride. Written by Kathy Li
Iago, Venetian army officer and ensign to the Moorish general, Othello, bitterly resents the appointment of Cassio as Othello's lieutenant. Roderigo and Iago maliciously bait Brabantio, an old senator, with the news that his daughter Desdemona is betrothed to Othello. Before Council Chamber, Brabentio accused Othello of abducting his daughter. The Moor denies this, and Desdemona affirms loyalty to her husband. Othello is ordered to defend Cyprus, of which he is Governor, against the Turks. Iago assures Roderigo, who is secretly in love with Desdemona, that she will not love Othello for long. Iago brings Desdemona to Cyprus to celebrate Othello's victory against the Turks and incites Cassio and Montano into a drunken brawl. Montano is seriously hurt and Iago beckons Othello, blaming Cassio, who is dismissed from duties. Iago then advises Cassio to seek Desdemona's assistance in regaining Othello's favor. Iago arranges Othello to find his wife in earnest conversation with Cassio, and subtly arouses the Moor's jealousy with creating a slanderous piece of evidence by placing Desdemona's handkerchief in the possession of Cassio. Written by alfiehitchie
