Othello

Othello (1995)

  • 68% of critics liked it
    (38 reviews)

  • 65% of users liked it
    (8,262 ratings)

Actor Oliver Parker made his directorial debut with this adaptation of the tragic play by William Shakespeare that abridges the original text by half and ups the quotient of sex and violence. Laurence Fishburne stars as the Moorish general Othello, who returns a hero after crushing an invasion… More

Play Trailer

R, 1 hr. 45 min.
Directed By
Oliver Parker
Genres
Drama, Romance
In Theaters
Dec 22, 1995 Wide
On DVD
Jan 18, 2000
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

  • Janet Maslin, New York Times

    Mr. Branagh's superb performance...guarantees this film an immediacy that any audience will understand.

  • , Hollywood Reporter

    Davies has done an admirable job of condensing the sprawling action.

  • Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times

    Parker has shown how involving and moving Shakespeare can still be on the screen.

  • Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

    ... Will not give its viewers much of an idea of the Shakespeare play, and may inadvertently give them other ideas, about interracial love, that were not much on Shakespeare's mind.

  • Desson Thomson, Washington Post

    Parker, whose screenplay strips down the original play, merely produces a lackluster essence.

Read all 16 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

  • danny d


    this was a great film. not quite the entire original story, but a great film with good acting. the themes in this sory are powerful and the degredation of the likeable othello is dissapointing but interesting to watch.

  • Brian R


    The evil Iago(Kenneth Branagh) pretends to be friend of Othello(Laurence Fishburn) in order to manipulate him to serve his own end, comes up with a devious plan to suspect that Othello's wife Desdemona(Irene Jacob) of infidelity. Oliver Parker's directorial debut is a… More

  • Robert F


    Recommended only to those who haven't yet seen enough Shakespeare on film.

  • Dimitris S


    As if we didn't have Othello transactions in the past,Branagh (Parker is a cover-up) lifts the emotional barrier in such high levels,the utmost banality is that Othello's character...is slowly revolting to become the hero!The supporting cast with Nathaniel Parker and Jacob… More

  • Magnus B


    "I hate the Moor... And it is thought abroad that 'twixt my sheets, he's done my office. I know not if it be true but I, for mere suspicion in that kind will do as if for surety. He holds me well, the better shall my purpose work on him. Cassio's a proper man. Let… More

Read all 6 featured audience ratings

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