Oliver Parker directed the 1995 version of William Shakespeare's Othello starring Laurence Fishburne in the titular role. This version also boasts the acting talent of Kenneth Branagh as the antagonist. Enraged that he has been passed over for a promotion, Iago develops an elaborate plan to strike revenge against the man who passed him over, Othello. Presenting the danger of isolation as a master manipulator takes advantage of another man, Othello plays out a cautionary tale of power and struggle.Iago (Kenneth Branagh) is furious that his loyalty and civility has been overshadowed by another, and he instantly begins devising an elaborate plot to seek revenge against Othello and bring about his downfall. Becoming obsessed with his master plot, Iago develops a narcissistic addiction to bringing about Othello's downfall.The highlight of this film is the acting of Kenneth Branagh's Iago. He plays the role in a deliberate calculating method, just as the character begs to be played. Laurence Fishburne's turn in the titular role was excellent as well. the action is centered around Fishburne, but he is a secondary character to that of the manipulator Iago. Fishburne plays this distinction well and the film prospers from his lead role.Days ago after my initial viewing of this film, I thought it was wonderful; after taking some time to process it, however, I think it was pretty forgettable. Initially, I thought the wall-breaking of Branagh was a fun way to engage the audience, but otherwise, I wasn't much engaged. As good as Branagh's Iago was, it was played differently than I imagined from the Shakespeare original. He was much closer to the Desdemona (Irène Jacob) character than I ever thought he was in the play. This may be the most faithful adaptation of Othello, but the characterization was different than I ever expected.

I just watched the full length version of the play, televised by BBC in 1981 with Anthony Hopkins in the title role of Othello and Bob Hoskins playing Iago. It made me realize just how much the Fishburne/Branagh version from 1995 suffers by being cut to ribbons to fit in a much shorter time slot. The director finds time for sex scenes but leaves out scenes that are vital to fully understanding the background and the relationships and what is going on.The film is good, but should have been longer. Laurence Fishburne is good in the title role but not incredible, and again, he is missing some of his best lines due to editing. Irene Jacob is a bit weak as Desdemona and I do think it may have to do with English not being her native tongue. Kenneth Branagh as Iago virtually steals every scene he is in. He is just delicious. Fortunately he is in most of the scenes. He is evil even when he is about to make love to his wife, perhaps not in a way that she would like at all, from what I could tell.See it but then see one of the versions that does not have so much text cut out.

I think this is a excellent adaptation. The scenery's wonderful (Cala Violina is a magnificent place and that's why the film was familiar to me because I go there often on holiday and the rock Othello's sat on is the one on which I used to catch crabs when I was younger... ^^), the actors, especially Branagh, are superb and I even was surprised by Laurence Fishburne's performance... Well everything's good, I think (although I don't like Othello saying 'Amen' like 'Hey men' instead of 'aaah men', and the place where Desdemona is in Venice is not the rights place, but those are details...) So, it's a very good film you Shakespearians should know. Welles' Othello possibly remains the best one because of its script. The ending's better because it's quicker but the text got much changed from the play. Also, the music of Othello (1995 version) composed by Charlie Mole is very beautiful I think.

I studied Othello for my English Lit A-Level last year, and found it simply one of the most wonderful plays I've ever read - painfully compelling, in that the story is so terrible and tragic that it hurts to read it, yet you just cannot put it down. The language is some of Shakespeare's most complex, yet when understood, also some of the most eloquent and beautiful ever written.The film had a lot to live up to.(This may contain plot spoilers.)In my opinion, Fishburne was an excellent Othello - brooding, jealous, suspicious, in anguish - everything I expected. He spoke the lines well and had great presence. Irene Jacob as Desdemona wasn't such a powerful character, but then was never intended to be - even in the play she was depicted as weak, although she does have her stronger characteristics, she is inherently not one of the most important or complex characters.No, for me it was, as always, Branagh, who stole the show. A wonderfully chilling performance, which left me convinced that Iago was possibly the most evil villain I have come across in any of Shakespeare's works. He shows no remorse, no emotion, but simply calculation and cruelty. He plots evil for evil's sake, and Branagh portrayed this very well. If you watch it, it's in his eyes, the way he looks at the others and at the camera - it ranges from impassivity to pure, unadulterated evil. Iago is not simply a "baddie" - he is a "demi-devil", fuelled by nothing more than the desire to harm others. Iago seems to have no real motive, although several are given (jealousy of Othello and Desdemona, racism, hatred of Othello, anger of being passed over for promotion etc etc), but I believe that he is not intended to have a motive - he is evil simply because that is his way, and he needs no motive.Some people have criticised the film for not showing enough of Desdemona and Othello together, or that it seems odd that Iago has so much hatred for Othello and that his plan culminates so quickly. This is from the Shakespeare, where the concept of "double time" is used. There are two time frames, it seems, in the play, which is hard to put across in a film, but which I think worked well enough that I wasn't bothered by it. It all happens in a few days, in one time frame, but we get the impression that it takes far longer than this. This is difficult to get your head around, but it does make some kind of sense. :) Anyway, they couldn't have added bits in without adding to Shakespeare's lines, and I'd rather they didn't do that. :)Overall, a very good film adaptation of a wonderfully moving and disturbing play. I highly recommend it.