Othello (1990)

Intro

A play by William Shakespeare, adapted for television, and first broadcast on 23 June 1990, 8pm (BBC2).

Running time: 3 hours and 25 minutes (including interval)

Photos

Overview

Outwardly, Iago is an honourable, trustworthy soldier, yet he is adept at concealing his true feelings. Jealous of his companion Othello's superiority, and embittered by the wild suggestion that the higher-ranking soldier may have seduced his wife, Emilia, he is privately eager to exact his revenge. Ruthlessly exploiting others in his schemes, Iago determines to bring about Othello's downfall, with far-reaching, tragic consequences.

Broadcast as part of the Theatre Night series, this programme was adapted for television from the Royal Shakespeare Company's stage production of Othello (1989) and features the same cast.

Cast

Michael Grandage ... Roderigo

Ian McKellen ... Iago

Clive Swift ... Brabantino

Willard White ... Othello

Sean Baker ... Cassio

Brian Lawson ... First Senator

David Hounslow ... Servant to the Senate

John Burgess ... Duke of Venice

Imogen Stubbs ... Desdemona

Philip Sully ... Montano

David Hounslow ... First Cyprus Soldier

Brian Lawson ... Second Cyprus Soldier

Zoe Wanamaker ... Emilia

David Hounslow ... First Othello Soldier

Brian Lawson ... Second Othello Soldier

Marsha Hunt ... Bianca

John Burgess ... Lodovico

Clive Swift ... Gratiano

Crew

Director: Trevor Nunn
Producer: David Myerscough-Jones

Notes

Zoë described her preparation for the role of Emilia during an interview for AS-Guru (a programme aimed at AS-Level English Literature students). As she explained, she envisaged Emilia as 'an abused woman' and so read a great deal about relationships that had gone terribly wrong. 'I think that she [Emilia] deludes herself - or hopes - that the relationship [she has with Iago] will someday get better, and someday she'll come through it, but I think not', Zoe concluded.

As was the case with the stage production, the televised Othello included an interval. The 15-minute break, while unusual for a TV programme, gave viewers the opporunity to collect their thoughts during this intense drama.

Another stage production featuring Zoe and adapted for television is Piaf (1982).

Press coverage

Five years after Othello was originally broadcast, it was shown again as part of the National Film Theatre's season celebrating Shakespeare on TV and film. David Benedict, writing about the season for the Independent, recognised that Zoe had 'turned the forgotten role of Emilia into a spellbinding portrait of divided loyalties'.

Othello's subsequent release on DVD was warmly greeted by Philip Fisher at the British Theatre Guide.

Merchandise

Othello Region 1 DVD

Othello Region 2 DVD

Othello by William Shakespeare