Othello (1990) [DVD]

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Customer reviews

review by: date: 2009-06-11 rating:
Stellar cast but flawed staging
Recording of the RSC stage production. Willard White is superb as Othello, and Imogen Stubbs has Desedemona to perfection. I have big problems though with this staging and Ian McKellen's performance as Iago. The staging has it as a quasi-military setup in 19th century US-style uniforms. I can see where they're coming from, but the big problem with having a formal military setting (especially a quasi-modern one) is that the social relationships no longer make sense and jar horribly. If Iago is officer class and the C-in-C's deputy why is his wife maiding Desdemona? And why is Desdemona (the C-in-C's wife) hobnobbing with "other ranks"? And the 19th century US style uniforms don't work for me either; there's no way a black officer would command white troopd; the US army was segregated until after WW2. Perhaps that's the idea, but it doesn't work. And there's Sir Ian - a great actor, no question; but here he makes Iago too nasty, too sinister. Iago has to be believable as someone Othello can trust as a man, not just as a subordinate. br / br /But it's worth seeing if only to make you think - which is what theatre is all about

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review by: date: 2009-06-04 rating:
A brilliant reallisation of Othello
br /I wasn't sure which of the many versions on offer I should buy and pondered long and hard (we wanted it to help our daughter with her GCSE)before I decided on this version - and I don't think I could have chosen better. The cast is superb but Ian Mckellern is outstanding as Iago, his asides to the camera are wonderfully conspiratorial. It has a 'stagey' feel which I loved. Equally the transference of the play to the 19th Century worked really well. I can recommend this version unreservedly - it is the full play (Three and a half hours almost)and even has an 'interval'! Bravo to all involved in this production.

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review by: date: 2008-10-28 rating:
Great content, shame about the picture quality
DVD turned up within 24 hours - well done Amazon and Royal Mail. br / br /As with other reviews here, the quality of the acting can't be faulted. So I'll review with from a different perspective... br / br /It is entirely filmed on a set, there are outdoor scenes in the play but they are all filmed in doors, so it feels a little dark and claustrophobic. br / br /Unfortunatley, the picture quality is more like watching a video tape, not what DVD can offer. I know the material is from 1990, but it's not the dark ages. The picture is washed out somewhat, there is fringing on the images and it is a bit grainy at times. Metrodome could have spent some time post-processing the print to bring out more colour and contrast at least. br / br /I'll be interested to compare this DVD with my SVHS recording I made of it at the time - I could probably capture a better quality print!!! br / br /All the negativity out of the way, you'll soon forget these issues once you are engrossed in the content. br /

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review by: date: 2007-11-22 rating:
The best "Othello" out there
It's one of those accepted blips: any production of "Othello" doesn't rely on the performance of the eponymous hero, but of his Nemesis, Iago. br /And what an Iago Ian McKellen makes! Absolutely astounding. You have to see it. br /Willard White is serviceable as Othello, Zoe Wanamaker is her usual superb self as Emilia and Imogen Stubbs is surprisingly unpunchable in a role that really could only be played properly by a 23 year old Jeanne Moreau. br /Great production that (voguishly, but brilliantly) takes the play down to its domestic roots and plays as a chamber piece. br /There are always going to be limitations to film versions of theatre, but by accepting that this is what this "Othello" is, Trevor Nunn has come up with a production to treasure. br /If you want a real treat, buy his "Macbeth" (also with McKellen, matched by a towering Judi Dench) at the same time. If anything, it's even better.


review by: date: 2004-03-15 rating:
Excellent
Excellent cast and performance. The characters are brought to life and the complex relationships between them are well developed. Ian McKellan does an electrifying Iago. Imogen Stubbs brings depth to a very difficult character - Desdimona can be too shallow, but Stubbs gives the character life and vitality to make her real.pThe down side is that it looks like a taping of the theater performance. The power that good camera work and sets can bring is lost here. But this is easily made up by the cast.

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