While there are also the Welles and Olivier films, which are fine adaptations and films in their own right, and also the Fishburne film, I shall always put this performance of one of Shakespeare's finest in their class. The sets are somewhat basic but acceptable also, and while the costumes have an American Civil War look to them considering the references to Europe they are appropriate. The stage direction manages to be moving and intense, while the dialogue is as ever brilliant and delivered grippingly. The acting is wonderful, especially Ian McKellen as Iago. His warm face is perfect for when Iago plays the roles of the false friend and confidante to Othello, yet McKellen is perfectly sinister and oily in his manipulation of him. His intensity of lines is as ever, as it was with the 1979 Macbeth, brilliant. Willard White is a dignified presence and very passionate in his increasing jealousy and rage, while Imogen Stubbs's Desdemona is three-dimensionally delicate and poignant. This Othello also has one of the better supporting casts of any Othello production, after seeing many that have been solidly performed but rather undistinguished otherwise. Sean Baker is very good as Cassio, and you possibly won't see a better Emilia than Zoe Wannamaker anywhere. Overall, the sound quality could have been sharper perhaps but that isn't enough to hinder the rest of this otherwise superb Othello. 10/10 Bethany Cox
Review of Othello
