Othello (1995)

Othello: Directed by Oliver Parker. With Laurence Fishburne, Irène Jacob, Kenneth Branagh, Nathaniel Parker. 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.

“I am a very big fan of Shakespeare – being an actor it almost comes with the territory, but i am not a fan of Shakespeare being cut – It should be performed as it was written. But this version by Oliver Parker seems to pull it off.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eBeing a touch put off by the fact that he had cast Laurence Fishburne as the moor, I watched it for the mere fact that Brannagh was playing Iago. Brannagh is the man who knows when it comes to the Bard, and being a slightly different part to play for him (and he wasnu0026#39;t directing it) it seemed very interesting. And he pulled off the character wonderfully.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eHe managed to play Iago with just enough flourish without making everything obvious. If I didnu0026#39;t already know the story I may have though he was telling the truth half of the time.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eFishburne himself actually gives in a good if somewhat restrained performance and Irene Jacob as Desdemona is convincing, but it is the boy from Belfast, Brannagh, who steals the show.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThere are many excellent minor performances in the movie also, Michael Maloney as Rodrigo and Anna Patrick as Emilia to name but two.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eParkeru0026#39;s direction of the piece is also very good, especially visually, the love scenes with the black/white skin are a bit obvious, but still a nice touch.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe bottom line for me, would be if you enjoy Shakespeare and Othello isnu0026#39;t on at your local Theatre – rent the video, or go to the cinema to see this version – you wonu0026#39;t be disappointed. If you donu0026#39;t enjoy Shakespeare – watch it and be converted.”