Main Cast: Laurence Olivier, Frank Finlay, Maggie Smith, Joyce Redman, Derek Jacobi
Release Year: 1965
Country: US/UK
Run Time: 166 minutes
Plot
The 1965 Othello is literally a photographed stage play: a filmed record of the National Theatre Production of 1964, as staged by John Dexter and starring Laurence Olivier. As the easily led, fatally jealous Moor of Venice, Olivier wears thick black-faced makeup and speaks in an uncharacteristically deep, bellow-like voice. Some considered his portrayal of Othello to be an unflattering stereotype; others regard Olivier's interpretation as one of the finest Shakespearean performances ever captured on film. Less flamboyant, but no less effective, are Frank Finlay as Iago, Maggie Smith as Desdemona, Derek Jacobi as Cassio, and Joyce Redman as Emilia. Oscar nominations went to Olivier, Finlay, Smith, and Redman. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Review
This thrilling version of Othello really shouldn't work as a movie, because, in one sense, it isn't even a movie at all. Motion picture purists rail against the kind of adaptation in which one essentially takes a stage play and transfers it to film without rethinking it in cinematic terms, and usually with good reason. This transfer goes even further, not even bothering to change from stage settings to more realistic camera-friendly ones. This is usually a recipe for disaster, but this Othello triumphs because the material is so good (which goes without saying) and, more importantly, because the cast is so perfect that all thoughts of rethinking the production for the camera go out the window. Laurence Olivier's work is towering, magisterial, the kind of performance that leaves the viewer stunned and drained. Yes, it takes a while to get used to Olivier in black makeup, and many may argue that it's inappropriate for a white man to be taking on this role -- but it's hard to keep up that argument when one actually views Olivier working his incredible magic. Fortunately, Frank Finlay as Iago is very nearly his equal, a figure of poisonous menace who knows how to cloak his true nature beneath a believable veneer of concern; without Finlay in the role, this Othello would feel lopsided and off-balance. There's also sterling work from a young and lovely Maggie Smith, a devoted Joyce Redman, and a naïve Derek Jacobi. The performances, so finely attuned to this marvelous text, make this an Othello to treasure. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide
Robert Lang - Roderigo; Anthony Nicholls - Brabantio; Harry Lomax - Duke of Venice; Sheila Reid - Bianca; Michael Turner - Gratiano; Kenneth Mackintosh - Lodovico; Edward Hardwicke - Montano; Roy Holder - Clown; David Hargreaves - Senate Officer; Malcolm Terris - Senate Officer; Terence Knapp - Company; Keith Marsh - Senator; Tom Kempinski - Sailor; William Hobbs - Cypriot Officer; Trevor Martin - Cypriot Officer; Andrew Bradford - Company; Peter Cellier; Michael Gambon - Company; John McEnery - Company; Bruce Purchase - Company; Malcolm Reynolds; Christopher Timothy - Cypriot Officer; Robert Russell - Company; Petronella Barker; Janie Booth - Company; Dan Meaden - Company; Reginald Green - Company
Credit
William Kellner - Art Director, Jocelyn Herbert - Costume Designer, Stuart Burge - Director, Richard Marden - Editor, Richard Hampton - Composer (Music Score), George Partleton - Makeup, Geoffrey Unsworth - Cinematographer, Lord John Brabourne - Producer, Anthony Havelock-Allan - Producer, Margaret Unsworth - Screenwriter, William Shakespeare - Play Author
