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 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 attempt by the Turkish army near Cyprus. Pledged to marry the lovely Desdemona (Irene Jacob), Othello ignores the advice of his intended's father, who tells him that she may have a deceptive nature. Othello's aide Iago (Kenneth Branagh), jealous over the elevation of his rival, Cassio (Nathaniel Parker, the director's real-life brother) to lieutenant, begins scheming to make Othello believe that Desdemona and Cassio are carrying on an affair. On the slimmest of evidence, Iago manages to manipulate Othello's suspicious, distrustful nature. Played previously in black face on film by actors Orson Welles and Laurence Olivier, Parker's production of Othello (1995) was the first major cinematic production to cast an African-American in the title role. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 45 min.
Directed By: Oliver Parker
Genres: Drama, Romance

In Theaters: Dec 22, 1995 Wide
On DVD: Jan 18, 2000
Studio: 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.
James Berardinelli, ReelViews
For sheer impact, this Othello can stand side-by-side with the versions brought to the screen by Orson Welles (as restored in 1992) and Lawrence Olivier.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Laurence Fishburne is an actor of no little talent, but he lacks Othello's martial bearing and heroic stature.
, Film4
Branagh, as Iago, is so obviously the best thing in this largely uninteresting interpretation that you feel sorry for him when he inevitably bites the big one.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
A decent but not great version that makes Shakespeare's reliable play accessible, but the acting is uneven: Branagh is witty as Iago, Fishburne looks but doesn't sound right, and Jacob is pale as Desdemona.
Anna Smith, Time Out
A highly engaging attempt at Shakespeare's most domestic tragedy.
Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com
An entertaining, respectful adaptation that plays like an erotic thriller with Elizabethan language.
Widgett Walls, Needcoffee.com
Fishburne gives an amazingly chilling turn; when his Othello receives the Bad News about his lady love, Fishburne positively radiates homicide.
Fred Topel, About.com
Fine Shakespeare adaptation
Fred Topel, About.com
Fine Shakespeare adaptation
Susan Tavernetti, Palo Alto Weekly
Every character is balanced by another similar or contrasting one, yet Parker does little to help the viewer make these associations.
Dragan Antulov, rec.arts.movies.reviews
Recommended only to those who haven't yet seen enough Shakespeare on film.

Read all 16 critic reviews

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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
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 bit of a disappointment. The language is so hard to comprehend(unless you are familiar with Shakespear's vocabulary), the cast is kinda distracting(thanks to Jacob since she still sounds French) and Kenneth Branagh as the evil snitch Iago, he mostly does his Woody Allen homage by talking to us in front of the camera. Laurence Fishburn as Othello is kind of on the quiet side since I felt this film wasn't about him but about his jealous friend lago who wants Othello's power.
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
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 are the unanimous film extracts.The "Cypriot" fortress and the flashy costumes are Venus' sapphires,i won't deny it,just next time remember to create some kind of innovation.
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
"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 me see now- To get his place and to plume up my will in double knavery. How? Hm! How? I have it. It is engendered. Hell and night must bring this monstrous birth to the world's light." Excellent cast with among others, Laurence Fishburne(Othello), Irène Jacob(Desdemona), Michael Maloney(Roderigo), Nathaniel Parker (Cassio) and especially Kenneth Branagh as Iago who blows them all away with a knockout performance. Great score by Charlie Mole. A fantastic Shakespeare film directed by Oliver Parker.
*Kimberly *

An excellent rendition of one the most compelling tragedies of all time.