Monday Morning Maybe

Add your email and we'll match picks to the services you stream at home.

Poster for Othello

Othello

Seen it?

1951 | 93 min | Drama

Sunday Safe Bet

Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet

It earned strong reviews (87% on Rotten Tomatoes). A safe bet when you want something reliable.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for anyone who loves a strong drama. If you loved Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? or Hamlet, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood
Thoughtful and character-driven.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 33 min.
What might put you off
  • Made in 1951: an older pace and style.
  • Audiences were cooler on it than critics.

Manipulated by his jealous ensign Iago, the Moorish general Othello is driven to believe that his new wife Desdemona is unfaithful, setting in motion a chain of deception, jealousy, and violence that leads to tragedy.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsStrong

    87% on Rotten Tomatoes

  • AudiencesSolid

    7.4 out of 10

  • AwardsSolid

    Won 1 Cannes award: Palme d'Or.

  • Reach & staying powerSolid

    Streaming release that reached a small audience so far; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactSolid

    About 46K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

More like this

Want more like this, picked just for you? Get my picks

Cast & crew

Directed by Orson Welles

  • Orson WellesOthello
  • Micheál Mac LiammóirIago
  • Robert CooteRoderigo
  • Suzanne CloutierDesdemona
  • Hilton EdwardsBrabantio
  • Nicholas BruceLodovico
  • Michael LaurenceMichael Cassio
  • Fay ComptonEmilia
  • Doris DowlingBianca
  • Joan FontainePage