Otello (1986)
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Justino Díaz, Katia Ricciarelli, Petra Malakova, Plácido Domingo, Urbano BarberiniDVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled); French (Subtitled); Italian (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround
Format: Classical, Color, DVD, Letterboxed, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.66:1
Running Time: 118 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2003-03-04
Audience Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: MGM (Video & DVD)
Movie Reviews of Otello (1986)
Movie Review: Great Period....And It's A Movie After All.......
Summary: 5 Stars
Here's the bottom line: Zefferelli made the lengthy Verdi opera into a 2 hour mainstream movie. It will always be more a movie than a traditional opera. A stage version can run up to 3 hours and in the case of Wagner's Gotterdammerung 6 hrs. A movie is limited in time. Zefferelli' intentions are noble. He wishes to get audiences turned on to opera, through the seductive medium of visual cinematography and powerful Oscar-worthy drama. The omissions in this film do not minimize the plot and the spirit of the work is never sacrificed. Even Shakespeare himself would be proud of this version. Think of it as a highlights of Verdi's opera, too. Do we really need Desdemona's pretty little "Willow Song" ? Its omission does not take away from the power of the drama. And so what if there is new additional dance music. It's appropriate for the feast scenes. And the Overture during the closing credits is nothing to fear. From the opening scene of the sea storm, to the doubts of seeds planted by interludes between Cassio and Desdemona, to the lower levels of the castle where Iago plots and rages against God, to the sumptuous feasts, to the grim finale, this is the best Otello ever made.
Placido Domingo was the successor of Mario Del Monaco who in the 50's made the role his own. Domingo may not have the glass-shattering, roofshaking power of a Del Monaco or Pavoratti, but he doesn't need it. His integrity as a performer and his rich, flexible voice makes him the best Otello to ever grace the stage. He performed the role numerous times, and there are plenty of recording albums. He has nailed the role of Otello more than any other tenor before or after him. He is a majestic Moor, a roaring lion of jealousy and fierce passions, while being a romantic, tragic hero straight out of Shakespeare. Lawrence Olivier once said he performed Othello better than he did "And he can sing too!" he was heard to remark. For me, the best Otello would have to be a black tenor, not in big supply in the opera world. To portray the Moor, most white/European tenors have had to wear heavy body make up to look black.
Katia Ricciarelli and Justino Diaz sing the roles of Desdemona and Iago. Urbano Barberini sings Cassio. The relationship between Desdemona and Cassio is designed to look sexual, so as to make us believe that perhaps there is some truth to Iago's story. Cassio does have feelings for Desdemona, having even lost interest in a current girlfriend, even having sexual dreams about Desdemona. But while Desdemona and Cassio never engaged in sex, Iago used the fact that the feelings were probably in there, even if repressed, to provoke the jealousy of Otello and to ruin him for good. Ricciarelli as the tragic Desdemona is radiant, with a dramatic, high, lyric and sweet but powerful voice. She plays the wronged heroine so well that we feel her desperation, her frustrations, her sufferings so keenly, emitting from voice to physical gestures to our own hearts. Justino Diaz may be the weakest in the cast, but not in his vocal abilities. As a bass/baritone he is pure gold. But he is not acting as great as Domingo and Ricciarelli. But he has his moments, especially in his blasphemous "Credo" scene, in which he mocks God and praises the evil in man in front of the Cross. His Oath Duet with Domingo is also thrilling. His laughter, so demonic and grandiose, further enhances his villain character development. But I do wish Samuel Ramey, who is more of an actor than Diaz (purely a singer) had been cast in the role in this movie. Certainly Ramey was at his height in the 80's. But we can't have perfection. Watch this movie...the classic tale, an opera about passions, jealousy and murder.
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