'Othello', regardless of any criticisms of considered implausibility (such as for some how easily Iago is believed by Othello and how long it takes for Emilia to come forward) and political incorrectness, is nonetheless one of my most fondly regarded Shakespeare plays. Not just the masterful language, with some of Shakespeare's most famous lines that have true intensity and poetic meaning, but also the dramatic conflict, both darkly intense and poignant, and one of his most interesting characters in the evil incarnate Iago (Othello too is one of his more interesting titular characters).
Anybody who has not seen or heard Verdi's opera 'Otello', one of his last but also one of his greatest, should definitely consider doing so. Actually like it even more than the play itself, with the dramatic conflict almost searing, especially in the relationship between Othello and Iago, and Iago is even more evil particularly in a big scene where he denounces God and everything. Enough of that, as that is not under review but more an interesting side-note (or at least an attempt at one). This production is a worthwhile one and anybody wanting to see as many Shakespeare productions available as possible should give it a go. As should those wanting to see every production of 'Othello' and the whole BBC Television Shakespeare series, featuring productions of all of his plays, some productions are better than others but they are all worth at least a one-time watch and the series overall is fascinating.
Personally do think that this 'Othello' is in the lower half of the series. Not because it is bad, far from it, don't consider any of the productions unwatchable. But it is more of a mix than other productions of the BBC Television Shakespeare series of things that were done very well and others that could have been done better, and was expecting more to it.
It's most of the cast that make this 'Othello' worth watching. Notably Bob Hoskins, whose Iago is a wonderfully uneasy mix of wickedly humorous and chillingly malevolent, even if the giggling did annoy a bit. Actually do think as well that his deceit is easy to buy with him appearing in public as someone who is good company, has a sense of humour and is seemingly truthful and then when alone and his intentions and plans are made clear (which the production makes crystal clear without being overt) one sees how much of a snake he really is. Rosemary Leach also stands out as a loyal but also at times shrewd Emilia. Penelope Wilton's Desdemona is poignant and noble, actually found myself not caring too awfully about her being too old. David Yelland and Anthony Pedley are strong as Cassio and Rodrigo.
Jonathan Miller directs tastefully and carefully, with a nice job done bringing out the character traits and the character relationships. Othello and Iago's is crucial to work and mostly it's dynamite, though Hoskins deserves much of the credit for this. He does do well at times in building upon the play's strengths, there are intense moments and the latter stages of the last act are movingly handled. Desdemona and Emilia's is also very well done, as is Iago's dominance over Rodrigo. Shakespeare's prose flows beautifully and equally as much in the delivery. The interiors are quite nice if simple, and the same goes for the camera work.
However, did find Anthony Hopkins' Othello inconsistent. At times he is very good, particularly good was his final speech which was very powerful. He also works very well in his scenes with Hoskins, until he becomes convinced of the unfaithfulness and that's when the hamminess becomes more apparent. The more passionate, raging scenes didn't convince as much, found him too histrionic and verging on insanity. That's why his later moments with Desdemona don't work, where everything else going on and how it was done feeling subdued in comparison. Miller does do well in enough aspects of the staging, but there were times where it felt like he was too careful and safe, the penultimate act for example when the tension should increasingly build could have done with more of that tension and more of it building. Some scenes lack oomph and, while it is laudable that the play was treated with respect, Miller could have afforded to take more risks and do things new.
The BBC Television Shakespeare series' budgets were not high and one does see in more productions than others obvious limitations. 'Othello' to me is one of the more particularly under-budgeted productions. There is a drab look, the lighting is sometimes too dark, other productions in the series did better at showing authenticity and the costumes and make-up are at best uninspired. Othello's looked both bizarre and ugly.
On the whole, to be seen mainly for 'Othello' and Shakespeare completests, and there are a good deal of impressive things, but uneven. 6/10
