Othello Blu-ray Review

Criterion’s Blu-ray release of Orson Welles' Othello boasts immaculate 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 transfers of both the 1952 European version and the 1955 American/British version. Both versions were meticulously restored using 4K resolution scans, with the 1952 version sourced from a 35mm fine-grain master positive and the 1955 version from the 35mm original camera negative. The restoration process addressed thousands of instances of dirt, debris, scratches, and other imperfections, resulting in remarkably clean and stable visuals. The monaural soundtrack also underwent thorough remastering.

Video presentation for the 1952 version shows substantial improvements over previous 2K restorations. Density enhancements are immediately noticeable, especially in close-ups, where the restored 4K resolution lends a 'tighter' image quality. Grayscale balance is superb, offering impressive depth and nuanced gradations between blacks and whites. Minor fluctuations from the original elements do persist, but overall shadow definition and image stability have markedly improved. The grain is finer and better managed, presenting a beautifully film-like texture without artificial sharpening artifacts.

The 1955 version, while similarly benefiting from detailed restoration, exhibits some more pronounced density fluctuations, especially at the beginning. Yet, despite these sporadic inconsistencies, significant portions of the film match the high-quality presentation of the 1952 version. The innovative visuals maintain their artistic impact owing to excellent clarity and contrast levels, with vibrant whites and dense blacks providing striking visual dynamics. Overall, Criterion’s Blu-ray release delivers an outstanding video experience that maximizes the cinematic beauty of Welles' masterpiece.

The Blu-ray release of "Othello" features Lossless English LPCM 1.0 tracks for both the 1952 and 1955 versions, supplemented by optional English SDH subtitles. Despite efforts to enhance the audio quality, the 1952 version still exhibits inherent limitations such as native unevenness, thinness, and flat spots. These flaws impact the clarity of dialogue and monologues, necessitating the use of subtitles for an optimal viewing experience. However, it is noted that this release provides a superior listening experience compared to previous French editions.

Conversely, the 1955 version offers a slightly more balanced and easier-to-follow soundtrack, though it remains hampered by production constraints that limit its dynamic intensity and fluidity. The remastering, sourced from composite fine-grain prints, replicates the original audio faithfully and enhances it with good fidelity and tonal depth, particularly in music and sound effects. Wide dynamic scales manage the period-appropriate score adeptly, maintaining clarity without distortion. Age-related imperfections such as hisses, pops, and crackles have been meticulously removed, ensuring that sonic elements like crashing waves and thrusting swords are crisp and distinct. Criterion's dedication to audio quality means that despite Welles' apparent disregard for sound, "Othello" has never sounded better.

Criterion's Blu-ray release of "Othello" includes an exceptional array of extras that offer profound insights into the film’s creation and legacy. The archival audio commentary by Peter Bogdanovich and Myron Meisel is both informative and engaging, discussing topics such as Welles' unique filming techniques, sound synchronization issues, and his larger-than-life approach to Shakespeare. The second disc houses diverse supplemental features, including Orson Welles' final project "Filming Othello," which candidly explores the production’s challenges and themes. Also highlighted is "Return to Glennascaul," a short film involving Welles, and the Canadian documentary "Souvenirs d'Othello," offering intimate reflections from actress Suzanne Cloutier.

Extras included in this disc:

Audio Commentary: Archival commentary with Peter Bogdanovich and Myron Meisel.

Filming Othello: Welles’ final project examining "Othello."

Return to Glennascaul: Hilton Edwards' short film featuring Welles.

Souvenirs d'Othello: Documentary with Suzanne Cloutier's reflections.

Joseph McBride: Featurette deconstructing "Othello."

Francois Thomas: Analysis of the different edits of "Othello."

Leaflet: Illustrated leaflet with an essay by Geoffrey O'Brien.

Orson Welles' 1952 adaptation of William Shakespeare's "Othello" is nothing short of a mesmerizing cinematic experience. Welles' masterful direction invokes a visual feast, abundant with inventive and striking compositions, stark contrasts of light and shadow, and dynamic camera movements that imbue the film with a unique noir-esque atmosphere. Shot over an extended period and spanning locations from Morocco to Italy, the film’s production endured numerous challenges, including fluctuating budgets and changing cast members, which at times contribute to an uneven aesthetic. Despite these imperfections – or perhaps because of them – "Othello" stands as a testament to Welles' indomitable creativity and resilience.

The film features Micheál MacLiammóir's Iago as a particularly compelling character, his manipulations casting a long shadow over Welles' brooding Othello and Suzanne Cloutier's pure Desdemona. Welles’ decision to present the narrative starting with a climactic funeral procession and then retracing the steps leading to the tragic end enlivens the classic drama. Though he audaciously trims Shakespeare’s extensive text to fit a taut ninety-minute runtime, the core themes of jealousy, deceit, and downfall remain fiercely intact. The adaptation’s fidelity to the visual over the textual underscores Welles’ prowess as a filmmaker rather than a Shakespearean purist, revealing the story’s emotional depth through powerful imagery.

Moreover, the Criterion Blu-ray release brings forth two versions of the film: the 1952 Cannes-winning original and the 1955 reedited American version, both meticulously restored in 4K resolution. This dual offering allows viewers to appreciate the film's historical and cultural journey through different edits. While the dubbing inconsistencies and occasional sound-syncing issues due to post-production overdubbing may distract some viewers, these anomalies highlight the film’s turbulent creation process. Ultimately, “Othello” not only affirms Orson Welles’ avant-garde approach but also solidifies its place as a pivotal work in cinematic history for its breathtaking visuals and profound narrative drive.

Criterion's Blu-Ray release of Orson Welles' "Othello" is a definitive collection that honors one of Shakespeare's most notable tragedies through the lens of a cinematic visionary. The set includes meticulous 4K restorations of both the 1952 and 1955 versions of the film. The painstaking detail invested in these restorations results in impressive visual quality, with the natural limitations of the source material remaining. The inventive imagery captured by Welles transforms the Bard's work into a feast for the eyes. Although the audio quality has some issues, this does not overshadow the overall experience of Welles' masterful storytelling.

The set excels in supplemental features as well. Accompanying the main feature are several new and archival extras, collectively providing over four hours of additional content. Most notable among these is the inclusion of an old audio commentary featuring Peter Bogdanovich and Myron Meisel, originally available on Criterion's Laserdisc release. This wealth of materials offers a thorough deep dive into the production history and artistic considerations behind Welles' adaptation. The supplementary content enhances the viewing experience, making this package highly valuable for both scholars and cinephiles.

Considering the difficult and truly quite unusual production history of Orson Welles' "Othello" as well as how the different versions of the film have aged, it is clear that Criterion did everything they could to offer the very best possible presentations of the 1952 and 1955 versions. Both have been restored in 4K and I like how they look a lot, though obviously because of source limitations, the end results are different. The two-disc set also has an excellent selection of new and archival supplemental features, one of which is the old audio commentary with Peter Bogdanovich and Myron Meisel that many years ago appeared on Criterion's Laserdisc release of Othello. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.