Othello |  | Director: Oliver Parker
Actors: Laurence Fishburne, Kenneth Branagh, Irène Jacob, Nathaniel Parker, Michael Maloney
Studio: Turner Home Entertainment
Category: DVD
List Price: $19.98
Buy Used: $10.55
as of 3/21/2010 22:46 EDT details
You Save: $9.43 (47%)
New (27) Used (14) from $10.55
Seller: galaxyentertainment
Rating:  69 reviews
Sales Rank: 4372
Format: Anamorphic, Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, Full Screen, Widescreen, NTSC
Languages: English (Original Language), French (Original Language), English (Subtitled), French (Subtitled)
Rating: R (Restricted)
Region: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Number Of Discs: 1
Running Time: 123 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 7.4 x 5 x 0.6
MPN: C2530
ISBN: 0780629361
UPC: 053939253023
EAN: 9780780629363
ASIN: B00003OST5
Theatrical Release Date: December 15, 1995
Release Date: January 18, 2000
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
| |
| Features:
| • | Writer/Director Oliver Parker (An Ideal Husband) adapts Shakespeare's towering tragedy of passion and jealousy with shattering performances by Kenneth Branagh (Iago), Irene Jacob (Desdemona) and Laurence Fishburne as the title-role warrior who ruled armies but not his own heart.Running Time: 125 min. Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: DRAMA Rating: R Age: 053939253023 UPC: 053 |
|
| Similar Items:
| |
| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
Oliver Parker, a stage and film actor (Hellraiser), made his directorial debut with this scaled-back version of Shakespeare's play about the paranoid Moor, Othello (Laurence Fishburne), and his manipulative friend, Iago (Kenneth Branagh). Parker gets the story so lean he starts running a little short on the author's subtext, and if it's possible to overemphasize the banality of Iago's scheming and Othello's malleability, he does so. The director throws out what is universal in the story and makes it all seem merely ordinary, human, and unfortunate, which is the opposite of what watching Shakespeare should be. In the end, it's hard to care what these characters have done to one another. Branagh's Iago is a little flat and unfocused, while Fishburne is excellent as a quieter Othello than we're accustomed to. With Irène Jacob (Red) as Desdemona. --Tom Keogh
Product Description
Movie DVD
|
| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 69
 The best version I've evern seen February 13, 2010
A. White (South Florida)
When I first read that Laurence Fishburn starred in this version of Othello, I was slightly disappointed. I know Fishburn from his early films which included "Boys in the Hood" and "School Days" However, from the moment he appeared on the screen, Fishburn took ownership of the title role. He played with such convincing passion and jealousy that I was mesmerized by his portrayal of "the Moor." I know I will watch this film over and over. The sets, the costumes were very authentic, and added tremendously to the film's attempt to capture the time period of the play. The implications of Iago's homosexuality was a bit comical and could have been presented with more subtlety than satirically. I would have preferred the implication of inherent jealousy. Iago is a great character and very complex. Overall, the production was first rate.
Branaugh's Othello Rocks June 26, 2009
Laura B. Hayden (Windsor Locks CT USA)
Without losing the Elizabethean venacular, this version of Othello rocks. The actors have the Shakespearean language roll off their tongues as smoothly as if they were reciting "Old KIng Cole." Perfect for a high school classroom if you can get away with the R-rated fantasy scenes.
 English teacher gives this DVD a "D" May 22, 2009
H2Steacher (South Gate, CA USA)
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
I had heard such good things about this production, but upon viewing the DVD I am left wondering why.
Yes, the sets and costumes look great, but if you are planning on showing this movie to your students after reading the play, be warned. It is pretty explicit. There is full frontal nudity and very suggestive sex scenes. I would not feel at all comfortable viewing this with a classroom of teenagers.
Besides the overt sexuality, I found fault with Branagh's rendition of Iago (which many reviewers here seemed to praise). There were too many asides for my liking. It was like watching an episode of "Moonlighting" (If any of you remember that TV show from the 80s) where the character is constantly speaking into the camera. Rather than letting the Audience gain insight into Iago's thoughts (which is what I believe Shakespeare intended in the soliloquies), Branagh's performance became grandstanding IMO ("Look at me. Aren't I clever.").
I know that good productions of "Othello" are rare. I was told that this version was the best one. Sad to say: if this is the best one, just stick to the book. Don't include this DVD for classroom enrichment.
Great Service April 27, 2009
Roberta C. Peterson (Spokane, WA)
Excellent film. My order was exactly what I asked for and it was delivered very fast. Thank you so much for your wonderful service.
othello review by bp walker April 11, 2009
Barbara P. Walker (greensboro, nc)
Excellent performances made available to me. A better brochure or written introduction would have been helpful.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 69
|
|
|
