Search - Othello on DVD

MPAA Rating: R Content Advisory: Violence, Adult Situations Movie Release: 1995 DVD Release: 01/18/2000 Format: DVD - Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV,Pan and Scan Audio Tracks: English, French Subtitles: English, French SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 2 hrs 3 mins Studio: Warner Home Video Members Wishing: 25 Genres: Drama, Period Film, Tragedy

Actor Oliver Parker made his directorial debut with this adaptation of the tragic play by William Shakespeare that abridges the original text by half and ups the quotient of sex and violence. Laurence Fishburne stars as the Moorish general Othello, who returns a hero after crushing an invasion attempt by the Turkish army near Cyprus. Pledged to marry the lovely Desdemona (Irène Jacob), Othello ignores the advice of his intended's father, who tells him that she may have a deceptive nature. Othello's aide Iago (Kenneth Branagh), jealous over the elevation of his rival, Cassio (Nathaniel Parker, the director's real-life brother) to lieutenant, begins scheming to make Othello believe that Desdemona and Cassio are carrying on an affair. On the slimmest of evidence, Iago manages to manipulate Othello's suspicious, distrustful nature. Played previously in black face on film by actors Orson Welles and Laurence Olivier, Parker's production of Othello (1995) was the first major cinematic production to cast an African-American in the title role. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide

Laurence Fishburne - Othello
Irène Jacob - Desdemona
Kenneth Branagh - Iago
Nathaniel Parker - Cassio
Michael Maloney - Roderigo

Shakespeare's tragic tale of jealousy and revenge arrives on DVD in fine form in this sumptuous release from Warner Home Video. Viewable in 1.85:1 widescreen in an anamorphic transfer (enhanced for 16 x 9 TVs) or standard 1.33:1 full-screen, audio is presented in closed-captioned English Dolby Digital Surround and French Dolby Digital Surround with optional English and French subtitles. Extra features include interactive menus and a theatrical trailer. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide