Othello (1952, 1955)

8 October 2019

Othello (1952, 1955) is Orson Welles' take on the Shakespearean classic of the same name: Criterion provides both the original film from '52, and the latter '55 version for american audiences. The differences between versions are minor cutting and the dubbed voice replacement of Desdemona. Welles' doesn't play Othello in blackface, but there is some "bronzing" (as the New Yorker puts it). I'll only speak of the initial version - I think the original is more in the style of Welles' other films.

Welles usually presents the cast as a form of theater troupe [and does in the '52 version, in '55 it's edited out], which is something I appreciate in his films (usually it's identified as part of the Mercury Theater). Micheál MacLiammóir leads the story as Iago, and other strong performances are from Welles and Suzanne Cloutier as Desdemona. It's not the greatest Shakespeare story in my opinion, and some of the acting is as a result a little too over-the-top for my taste. But I respect the acting and filming of this film: it remains striking and engaging even over half a century later. If you're a Shakespeare or Orson Welles fan it's definitely worth the watch. For others it may be a little on the pretentious side, as is a thing with Welles' films. But still a good watch, and holds up relatively well. 8/10