Placido Domingo is the Moor whose suspicion of his wife, Desdemona (Katia Ricciarelli), is sparked by the hateful Iago (Justino Diaz), in this Verdi opera based on Shakespeare's tragedy. Domingo brilliantly suffuses his performance with tangible rage and anguish, while Ricciarelli's ethereal presence and voice makes the damage caused by his jealousy all the more heart-rending. Shot on actual locations in the Mediterranean, with great lighting, costumes, and close-ups that capture the full expressive range of these stars; this is a great film, and great opera, courtesy of director Franco Zeffirelli.

Verdi's opera is here given the full cinematic treatment by acclaimed director Franco Zeffirelli (ROMEO & JULIET, LA TRAVIATA). Placido Domingo expertly combines rage and vulnerability as the lovesick Moor unable to stem his jealousy once the evil Iago (Justino Diaz) plants the seeds of doubt. Katia Ricciarelli makes a beautiful and sublime Desdemona; it's almost unbearable to see her radiant joy snuffed by Othello's rage. Their love scene/duet in the first half is an achingly beautiful highlight, as is Ricaiarelli's transcendent "Ave Maria" near the end. Diaz is also excellent, producing a proud and unapologetic portrait of evil via his fierce vocalizing as Iago. Throughout the film, the singing and acting of these stars reverberates with almost unbelievable power. Zeffirelli's use of real locations, close-ups, elaborate tracking shots, gorgeous costumes, and expressive natural lighting adds poetry and psychological depth to the characters and the story, making this not just a great opera, but a great film.

OTELLO was filmed on location in Italy and Crete.

DVD Features:

Region 1
Keep Case
Single Side - Dual Layer
Anamorphic Widescreen - 1.85
Letterbox - 1.66
Audio:
Stereo Surround - Italian
Additional Release Material:
Trailers: Original Theatrical Trailer

Placido Domingo: Opera Star/Tenor
Justino Diaz: Opera Performer
Katia Ricciarelli: Opera Performer
Petra Malakova: 
Urbano Barberini: Actor/"Demons"

Franco Zeffirelli: Italian Director/Screenwriter

"...Zeffirelli puts enough sweeping action and finely shaded psychology along with splendidly rendered music into his work to satisfy ardent Shakespeare fans and sensitive opera buffs alike..."