Othello (1951)

The Moorish General Othello is manipulated into thinking that his new wife Desdemona has been carrying on an affair with his Lieutenant Michael Cassio when in reality, it is all part of the scheme of a bitter Ensign named Iago.

Director:

Orson Welles

Writer:

William Shakespeare (play)

Stars:

Orson Welles, Micheál MacLiammóir, Robert Coote

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Micheál MacLiammóir	...	Iago
Robert Coote	...	Roderigo
Orson Welles	...	Othello
Suzanne Cloutier	...	Desdemona
Hilton Edwards	...	Brabantio
Nicholas Bruce	...	Lodovico
Michael Laurence	...	Cassio
Fay Compton	...	Emilia
Doris Dowling	...	Bianca

Storyline

Desdemona, daughter of a Venetian aristocrat, elopes with Moorish military hero Othello, to the great resentment of Othello's envious underling Iago. Alas, Iago knows Othello's weakness, and with chilling malice works on him with but too good effect.

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Plot Keywords:

italy | opening scene is same with ending scene | moor the person | father daughter conflict | father daughter relationship | 

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Taglines:

Powerful drama of uncontrolled human emotion!

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Genres:

Drama | History | Romance

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Official Sites:

Official site from Carlotta Films US

Country:

Morocco Italy

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 September 1955 (USA)

Also Known As:

Othello

Filming Locations:

Mogador, Morocco

Company Credits

Production Co:

Scalera Film

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min 93 min (TCM print)

Sound Mix:

Dolby (re-release) Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The lengthy shoot is chronicled in-depth in Micheál MacLiammóir's book "Put Money in Thy Purse".

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Quotes

[first lines]
Narrator: There was once in Venice a moor, Othello, who for his merits is the affairs of war was held in great esteem. It happened that he fell in love with a young and noble lady called Desdemona, who drawn by his virtue became equally enamoured of Othello...

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Alternate Versions

This film by Orson Welles, was 'restored' by a group in Chicago in 1991/2. The film was transferred to, and enhanced in video, (D1 format) retaining it as black and white. The audio was completely rebuilt, including the score, in Stereo Surround. All dialogue, however was original. This was a problem as some of the dialogue was distorted and unintelligible. John Fogelson, editor, was a major supervisor of the project. Ed Golya, Lorita DeLacerna, and Steve Wilke, were digital editors. And Ed Golya remixed the soundtrack. The process took 9 months. It was purchased for distribution by Castle Hill, and taken to New York where it went through another transformation before release. Unintelligible dialogue was replaced with 'sound-alikes'. This decision was made for the entertainment value of the film. The original mono music was then reintroduced into the final product. Basically, the film was retransferred, and the rebuilt sound effects tracks were added. This was done at Sound One, in NYC.. The credits were adjusted to place Lee Dickter (sp?) as Re-recording Mixer, and Ed Golya as Sound Effects Editor.

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Connections

Version of BBC Sunday-Night Theatre: Othello/II (1950)

User Reviews

Welles brings it !

The power of Welles performance should make anyone not already an admirer stand up and take notice. The dark, brooding nature of Welles character sets the tone throughout this film. Each of the prominent characters seems to feed off this intensity, making each the better for it. The spartan sets and excellent use of lighting add to this powerful delivery making the words feel true and soul wrenching. I think this production could have been played out on a bare stage and still be regarded as a fine work, the dialogue and delivery is of such fine caliber. "The Moor of Venice" is a fine example of Orson Welles vast talents as a performer and director and should not be missed.