Othello (1965)
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80% of critics liked it
(10 reviews) -
67% of users liked it
(446 ratings)
As directed by Otto Schenk, this most unusual version of Giuseppe Verdi's 1887 opera Othello (adapted from Shakespeare's tragedy of the same name) isn't actually a stage-bound theatrical production. It was shot for German television in 1965 on elaborate sets, but was also done with… More As directed by Otto Schenk, this most unusual version of Giuseppe Verdi's 1887 opera Othello (adapted from Shakespeare's tragedy of the same name) isn't actually a stage-bound theatrical production. It was shot for German television in 1965 on elaborate sets, but was also done with "roving" cameras, which liberates the material from a sense of staginess and gives it an unprecedented level of intimacy. It stars Wolfgang Windgassen as Othello, Sena Jurinac as Desdemona and Norman Mittelmann as Iago. The Südfunk-Sinfonie-Orchester, the Chor der Wiener Staatsoper and the Wiener Sängerknaben lend added musical support, with Argeo Quadri conducting and Norbert Balatsch serving as chorus master. Gerhard Hruby designed the sets, and Leni Bauer Ecsi did the costumes. ~ Nathan Southern, Rovi
- Directed By
- Stuart Burge, John Dexter
- Written By
- William Shakespeare
- Genres
- Drama, Romance, Musical & Performing Arts, Classics
Unrated,
- In Theaters
- Dec 15, 1965 Wide
Critic Reviews
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Phil Hall, Film Threat
Even with its imperfections and politically incorrect presentation, this film is a memorable achievement.
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Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
It's a bloated corpse of a movie, running a numbing 166 minutes with only Olivier's lifeblood to sustain it.
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Peter Canavese, Groucho Reviews
Whether taken as a cultural relic or the definitive screen treatment, Othello demands to be seen for Olivier's bravura, high-wire performance.
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Cole Smithey, ColeSmithey.com
A great cinematic touchstone.
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Nick Davis, Nick's Flick Picks
It's a stagy and uneven enactment of the play, but what players on this stage!
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
No Featured Audience Ratings Found…
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Cast
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Wolfgang Windgassen
as Othello
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Sena Jurinac
as Desdemona
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Norman Mittelmann
as Jago
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Margarita Lilova
as Emilia
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William Blankenship
as Cassio
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Adolf Dallapozza
as Rodrigo
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Walter Kreppel
as Lodovico
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Willy Ferenz
as Montano
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Leo Heppe
as Herold
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Laurence Olivier
as Othello
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Frank Finlay
as Iago
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Maggie Smith
as Desdemona
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Joyce Redman
as Emilia
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Derek Jacobi
as Cassio
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Robert Lang
as Roderigo
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Anthony Nicholls
as Brabantio
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Harry Lomax
as Duke of Venice
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Sheila Reid
as Bianca
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Michael Turner
as Gratiano
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Kenneth MacKintosh
as Lodovico
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Edward Hardwicke
as Montano
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Roy Holder
as Clown
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David Hargreaves
as Senate Officer
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Malcolm Terris
as Senate Officer
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Terence Knapp
as Company
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Keith Marsh
as Senator
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Tom Kempinski
as Sailor
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William Hobbs
as Cypriot Officer
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Trevor Martin
as Cypriot Officer
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Andrew Bradford
as Company
- Peter Cellier
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Michael Gambon
as Company
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John McEnery
as Company
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Bruce Purchase
as Company
- Malcolm Reynolds
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Christopher Timothy
as Cypriot Officer
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Robert Russell
as Company
- Petronella Barker
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Janie Booth
as Company
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Dan Meaden
as Company
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Reginald Green
as Company
- John Dexter
