Othello

1995, Drama, 2h 4m

41 Reviews 5,000+ Ratings

What to know

critics consensus

Perhaps less than the sum of its parts, Othello is still highly entertaining, and features excellent performances from Laurence Fishburne and Kenneth Branagh. Read critic reviews

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Othello Photos

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Movie Info

Heroic general Othello (Laurence Fishburne), the only African in the Venetian army, is carrying on a courtship with white noblewoman Desdemona (Irène Jacob). Their hasty marriage causes some political upheaval, but the military leader is quickly dispatched to halt an invasion on Cyprus. Once there, Othello's lieutenant, Iago (Kenneth Branagh), who believes Othello has wronged him, conceives a plan to get revenge by convincing the new husband that his wife is unfaithful.
  • Rating:
    R
  • Genre:
    Drama
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    Oliver Parker
  • Producer:
    David Barron, Luc Roeg
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     original
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Box Office (Gross USA):
    $2.2M
  • Runtime:
  • Distributor:
    Sony Pictures Entertainment, Castle Rock, Columbia Pictures
  • Sound Mix:
    Surround

Cast & Crew

Laurence Fishburne
Othello
Irène Jacob
Desdemona
Kenneth Branagh
Iago
Nathaniel Parker
Cassio
Michael Maloney
Roderigo
Anna Patrick
Emilia
Nicholas Farrell
Montano
Indra Ové
Bianca
Michael Sheen
Lodovico
André Oumansky
Gratiano
Philip Locke
1st Senator
John Savident
2nd Senator
Gabriele Ferzetti
Duke of Venice
Pierre Vaneck
Brabantio
Oliver Parker
Director
David Barron
Producer
Jonathan Olsberg
Executive Producer
Luc Roeg
Producer
Charlie Mole
Original Music
David Johnson
Cinematographer
Tony Lawson
Film Editing
Debbie McWilliams
Casting
Tim Harvey
Production Design
Simon Moseley
First Assistant Director
Richard Styles
Second Assistant Director
Luca Lachin
Second Assistant Director
Show all Cast & Crew

Critic Reviews for Othello

All Critics (41) | Top Critics (12) | Fresh (28) | Rotten (13)
Full Review… Anna Smith Time Out Full Review… Janet Maslin New York Times Full Review… Kevin Thomas Los Angeles Times Full Review… Susan Stark Detroit News Full Review… Mike Clark USA Today Full Review… James Berardinelli ReelViews Full Review… Sheila Reid Women in the Life Full Review… Mal Vincent The Virginian-Pilot Full Review… Quentin Curtis Independent on Sunday Full Review… Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Full Review… Cole Smithey ColeSmithey.com Full Review… John A. Nesbit Old School Reviews
View All Critic Reviews (41)

Audience Reviews for Othello

  • Feb 06, 2012
    Fishburne's Othello has more more money associated with it than Welles' work but it is nonetheless as effective thanks to Laurence himself and a darkly effective Iago played to the hilt by Kenneth Branagh.
    John B Super Reviewer
  • Oct 27, 2010
    The evil Iago(Kenneth Branagh) pretends to be friend of Othello(Laurence Fishburn) in order to manipulate him to serve his own end, comes up with a devious plan to suspect that Othello's wife Desdemona(Irene Jacob) of infidelity. Oliver Parker's directorial debut is a bit of a disappointment. The language is so hard to comprehend(unless you are familiar with Shakespear's vocabulary), the cast is kinda distracting(thanks to Jacob since she still sounds French) and Kenneth Branagh as the evil snitch Iago, he mostly does his Woody Allen homage by talking to us in front of the camera. Laurence Fishburn as Othello is kind of on the quiet side since I felt this film wasn't about him but about his jealous friend Lago who wants Othello's power.
    Brian R Super Reviewer
  • Mar 08, 2010
    Recommended only to those who haven't yet seen enough Shakespeare on film.
    Robert F Super Reviewer
  • Nov 11, 2008
    As if we didn't have Othello transactions in the past,Branagh (Parker is a cover-up) lifts the emotional barrier in such high levels,the utmost banality is that Othello's character...is slowly revolting to become the hero!The supporting cast with Nathaniel Parker and Jacob are the unanimous film extracts.The "Cypriot" fortress and the flashy costumes are Venus' sapphires,i won't deny it,just next time remember to create some kind of innovation.
    Dimitris S Super Reviewer
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