Dec 20, 2009

William Shakespeare | The Tragedy of Othello: The Moor of Venice (1952)

Three years following his version of Macbeth, Orson Welles tackled one of Shakespeare's greatest tragedies. This interpretation is classic Welles, with long dark shadows, deep voice-overs, interesting camera angles that offer a view into the characters' minds. This Othello is basically insecure and definitely an outsider in the world of Venice, but becomes even more so when he and Desdemona (Suzanne Cloutier) arrive in Cyprus. In contrast to Welles' blackface make-up, Cloutier's brightly lit white face is ablaze with smouldering innocence. The audience, while it may feel deep sympathy for Othello, feels equal rancour toward Michael McLiammeir's Iago, who bends and twists the truth with enviable skill. As with of Macbeth, however, Welles' propensity for using darkness to represent oppression and doubt is itself oppressive. Even before they set sail, the audience is aware that this couple will find more trouble than they can handle just from the way they are photographed. Although the story is a tragedy, Shakespeare built scenes into the play that are intended to relieve some of the pressure. By not allowing these scenes, Welles creates a world from which no one, not even the audience, can escape. Nonetheless, as part of the Wellesian canon, the film is worth a look. - J.R. Costa

Cast: Othello: Orson Welles; Iago: Michael McLiammeir; Roderigo; Robert Coote; Desdemona: Suzanne Cloutier; Brabantio: Hilton Edwards; Lodovico: Nicholas Bruce; Cassio: Michael Lawrence; Emilia: Fay Compton; Bianca: Doris Dowling; uncredited: Page Boy: Abdullah Ben Mohamet; Senator: Joseph Cotton; Montano: Jean Davis; Page: Joan Fontaine.

Director: Orson Welles (uncredited); Writers: William Shakespeare, Jean Sacha (uncredited, Orson Welles (uncredited); Producers: Walter Bedone (uncredited), Patrice Dali (uncredited), Julier Derode, Rocco Facchini (uncredited), Giorgio Papi (uncredited), Orson Welles (uncredited); Production Company: Mercury Productions.

Black and white. Runtime: 90 mins.