![\"Othello](\"http:\/\/www.uww.edu\/images\/library\/blog\/othello.jpg\")
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Othello <\/strong> While this isn\u2019t a new production (1981), it is a new addition to our collection, and the BBC\u2019s series of all of Shakespeare\u2019s plays is worthy of note, especially since in it we have some of his lesser-known and lesser-filmed plays<\/a>. I personally had neither watched nor read this one of the Bard\u2019s tragedies, and my only prior knowledge was that Othello is Shakespeare\u2019s only minority protagonist, and that the antagonist Iago is sometimes considered Shakespeare\u2019s most evil villain. Curious\u2026.<\/p>\n Anthony Hopkins (one of many actors to play the hero in blackface) is a compelling lead. While we don\u2019t hear much dialogue from him in the first few acts, by the third act you have enough insight into his character to pity his tortured thoughts while also shaking your fist at his jealousy-inspired cruelty and impetuousness toward the beautiful Desdemona \u2013 played by the young Penelope Wilton, who might be more familiar to audiences today from a major role in Downton Abbey. Iago\u2019s hatred for his once-beloved army commander is maniacal and nonsensical enough to earn him the \u201cdarkest villain\u201d title in my book.<\/p>\n True to Shakespearean tragedy, the only characters I really liked by the end get killed along with some others, but I won\u2019t spoil the ending for you. At over 3 hours, this film may not be one to sit down and devour in one sitting, and the close captions definitely were needed for me to follow the dialogue in some quieter scenes. But I enjoyed the story and the acting and am sure the other films \u2013 see the link above \u2013 in the series are just as good.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Othello (BBC & Time-Life Films) by William Shakespeare Call number: OTH New Arrivals, 2nd floor While this isn\u2019t a new production (1981), it is a new addition to our collection, and the BBC\u2019s series of all of Shakespeare\u2019s plays is … Continue reading
\n(BBC & Time-Life Films)
\nby William Shakespeare
\nCall number: OTH<\/a>
\nNew Arrivals<\/strong>, 2nd floor<\/p>\n