The black and white photography is quite fitting with the theme of Shakespeare's play of a black man in a white society. The art direction and the use of shadows is absolutely stunning. The scene where Emilia reveals all that is shot with a huge giant gate as a backdrop is most memorable.
However, some Shakespeare loyalists may be annoyed that the film does not try to follow the play exactly. As well, it takes a while for most people to adjust to the fact that Othello, that is Orson Welles, is not really black, but just very, very darkly tanned. Outrageous(Some will say)! Couldn't they find a good black actor back then? Did they try?
Overall, I would be quick to recommend this film over the (awful) 1995 version starring Laurence Fishburne (Even though Fishburne looks 10X better than Welles as Othello).
However, some Shakespeare loyalists may be annoyed that the film does not try to follow the play exactly. As well, it takes a while for most people to adjust to the fact that Othello, that is Orson Welles, is not really black, but just very, very darkly tanned. Outrageous(Some will say)! Couldn't they find a good black actor back then? Did they try?
Overall, I would be quick to recommend this film over the (awful) 1995 version starring Laurence Fishburne (Even though Fishburne looks 10X better than Welles as Othello).