Blog Entry 21: Scene Response

It is quite interesting to me how each interpretation of Othello clearly alters the entire mood of the same scene. I will attempt to include the various multiple comparisons that I found along with the contrasting elements that I observed in all three clips.

Othello 1952 began outside by the seashore, but since it was a black & white production I related it to a dull, grey setting. Once Othello and Iago move inside it becomes dank and even darker. The walls are made of hard stone and the room has a hollow echoing sound. Othello is a clearly disturbed, unsure, and stoic man who is dressed in battle armor. Iago is a cunning, predatory, evil-looking man who is not attractive by any measure. Iago is dressed in a dark-looking cape, indicating to the viewer that he is possibly up to sinister deeds. The music in the background provides and enhances the creepy, disturbing atmosphere. The dialogue seems rigid between the characters, as if they are not sure of one another. There is no flashback used. There is substantial use of shadow and darkness. The single item on the wall inside is a mirror, which Othello examines as he begins to realize his mounting rage. Occasional close-ups are used as well in this scene. The dialogue is practically word for word with Shakespeare’s play.

In the 1981 version of this same clip, the scene is starkly altered from the first. It takes place in a well-lit, airy room with a desk, white walls, and a nice tapestry hanging in the background. Othello is a quick-witted and whimsical tease who regularly taunts the more submissive, serious, and polished Iago. Othello is dressed well, but is slightly more casual looking than Iago. There is no background music. The dialogue delivered by Othello is cool in manner while Iago appears clearly nervous and uptight. I noticed that quite a bit of the actual dialogue is skipped over or altered in order to provide a more fluent understanding for the viewer. There is no flashback used in this clip. There is substantial use of close-up, however. There is little, if any, use of shadow. It was a little more understandable to me than the first.

The 1995 version of this scene is a refreshing change from the other two, in my opinion. Othello is painted as a cool, sure, seemingly well-controlled individual. He is clearly of black decent, which lends more validity to the racial implication to which Shakespeare alludes in the play. Iago and Othello are equally outfitted in casual leather attire. Othello wears a vest while Iago wears a less casual overcoat. The scene begins out in a courtyard where the encounter between the two is of a light tone and familiar nature. The conversation soon moves to a darker-looking weapons room where Othello, being somewhat of a personally collected while threatening individual, begins to assemble a weapon. The room itself is intimidating, equipped with hundreds of weapons of all kinds. Iago is more of a physical “touchy” friend to Othello. He is definitely a more familiar, trusting, and honest-looking man than the Iagos used in the previous clips. He has no trouble speaking his mind. The music in the background changes with the altered content of the dialogue. The dialogue is delivered with fluency by both characters as the gestures made while speaking prove helpful in obtaining a clearer understanding of the words. Many of the original words of the play are skipped over. They are perhaps not necessary in order to get the point across. The cinematographer offers a great number of close-ups in this clip. The use of flashback is substantial as well. There is a clearly disturbing atmosphere toward the end as Othello permits his mind to wander and imagines disturbing scenes regarding Desdemona which begin to fuel his anger.

It is quite interesting to me how three movie clips depict this scene using such contrasting methods. The alternative moods and understanding of the dialogue for the viewer is starkly different, yet the overall scene and dialogue are similar. I found it compelling as well that the first two clips use an actor to play the role of Othello who is not obviously of a different race. However, the last clip uses an actor who more accurately fits the role of a Moor, as perhaps intended by Shakespeare.