Othello

1955

1 hr. 47 min.

Drama

Romance

List

87%

31 Reviews

Tomatometer

85%

2,500+ Ratings

Audience Score

A bitter soldier (Andrei Popov) plots to bring about his general's (Sergei Bondarchuk) downfall by convincing him that his wife has been unfaithful.

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Critics Consensus

This ragged take on Othello may take liberties with the source material, but Orson Welles' genius never fails to impress.

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William L

Orson Welles brings his own unique acting intensity to a classic role. Not as influential as some of his better publicized work, but still well worth the watch. Liammóir as Iago is a particularly solid casting choice. (4/5)

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/09/20

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Audience Member

Between 2.5 and 3. Kenneth Branagh was cleverer when he assigned a good actor (no matter it was himself) to Iago, the really interesting character in the play. MacLiammoir is not bad, but not enough to maintain an interest. It seems Welles could have done brighter changing roles.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/25/23

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matthew d

The best film version of Othello! Orson Welles' Othello (1951) is a compelling tragic drama about a doomed romance. William Shakespeare's play is about topical as ever about Iago's racist hatred and suspicions of Othello only due to his black skin color. The themes of racism, paranoia, and suspicion are poignant and relevant still. Welles demonstrates his mastery of the craft of filmmaking once again for his Othello. Long panning shots of characters walking around the gorgeous Italian setting set to Italian music. His slow panning shots perfectly framed for the underhanded machinations of Iago's contemplation. The pained close ups Othello and the hurt ones of Desdemona are beautiful to look at always. The careful use of lighting to make Welles look darker and characters bathed in shadow are striking to me still. Othello remains a great story, while Welles turns it into a compelling and nerve wracking film. Orson Welles' acting is, of course, the main attraction here in Othello. His role as the protagonist Othello is interesting as Welles speaks with his booming voice and emotional dialogue. His tender lines are as sweet as his accusatory lines are damning. Welles knows this character like the back of his hand. Even though Orson Welles was not black, he plays Othello with a sincerity and empathy for his plight as a black man scorned by his society. It's an impressive performance regardless. Suzanne Cloutier is lovely as the innocent Desdemona. She plays her ill fated newly wed with a sweet earnest personality that is very convincing. I liked her as Desdemona quite a bit. She is certainly sympathetic as you feel terrible for her situation. Cloutier gave it her all. Lastly, I must mention Iago's actor. Michael MacLiammoir is phenomenal as the evil villain Iago. Iago is perhaps Shakespeare's most heinous antagonist as he hates Othello for the color of his skin and what he merely assumes about Othello. He is so cruel and cunning and MacLiammoir displays that contempt for Othello perfectly. He is a fantastic conspirator. Overall, Othello has never been as tragic and upsetting. The black and white aesthetic works wonders for this tale of a love broken by one man's hatred and another's jealousy. I think Welles directed Othello with a gentle hand for this story of intrigue and assumed infidelity.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Audience Member

Although Welles' Othello puts forth a very serviceable reading of the Bard's tragedy of jealousy, the real magic here lies in the circumstances of its production and the way that Welles welded together diverse elements (with string and bits of sealing wax) to create an alternate reality that never really existed except in the minds of the viewer. Shot variously in Morocco, Venice, and other parts of Italy, it would be impossible to create a map that links the various locations together. Yet, miraculously, the film feels whole, in glorious black and white with Welles' eye for the wondrous shot in fine form. Of course, it is the editing that keeps the disparate parts together, with shots and counter-shots apparently filmed years apart in different locations, and sometimes the cutting is fast and furious (but never less than astounding). The acting can be variable (Suzanne Cloutier seems a weak Desdemona - and, apparently, she was dubbed for the 1955 version, re-edited by Welles for the US release) but somehow Welles (as Othello) and Michael MacLiammoir (as Iago) pressed on, even when other members of the cast were absent (and shot with doubles from behind). If all this sounds like it might distract one from Shakespeare's words, well, yes and no - the tragedy is still terrible (with Iago cruelly convincing pitiful Othello that innocent Desdemona has cheated on him), even with Welles' condensing, but the amazing spectacle of the production itself creates the most awe.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/04/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Great direction by Orson Welles, and goes to show not only how much he understands the difficult source material but also how creative he can be in taking liberties with it. He adds another realm of sense with the visuals and solid lead performances.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/13/23

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Audience Member

10 out of 10: Even with a low budget, this adaptation of Othello is still captivating with direction, sets, and acting.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/29/23

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Sergei Yutkevich

Director

Sergei Bondarchuk

Othello

Irina Skobtseva

Desdemona

Andrei Popov

Iago

Vladimir Soshalsky

Cassio

Evgeniy Vesnik

Roderigo

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David Robinson

Sight & Sound

Its narrative goes by such fits and starts that it is often hard to follow the story.

Mar 30, 2020

Full Review

Peter Keough

Boston Globe

Seldom has a director encountered so many frustrations and obstacles, and turned those obstructions into inspirations, integrating them into his vision.

Rated: 4/4

Jun 26, 2014

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Aaron Cutler

Film Comment Magazine

Othello joins a gallery of ... Welles protagonists such as ... Kane and Macbeth, whose desire to believe themselves masters of their domains lead ... to solitary tragic fates.

May 12, 2014

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Herman G. Weinberg

Film Culture

A flashy, heavily emotional (as it should be), frequently bizarre, but always visually and dramatically exciting rendition of Shakespeare's tragedy.

Jun 7, 2022

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Donald Phelps

Film Culture

The director's sheer delight in doing this, his warm exuberance at rediscovering himself in William Shakespeare, is to me, infectious, and --as long as Shakespeare chooses to co-operate -- makes for a real creative achievement.

Mar 29, 2022

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Qualifies as a film noir.

Rated: 3.5/4

Sep 22, 2021

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Synopsis

A bitter soldier (Andrei Popov) plots to bring about his general's (Sergei Bondarchuk) downfall by convincing him that his wife has been unfaithful.

Director: Sergei Yutkevich
Screenwriter: Sergei Yutkevich
Production Co: Mosfilm
Genre: Drama, Romance
Original Language: Russian
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 14, 2018