British Universities Film & Video Council

moving image and sound, knowledge and access

Otello

Alternative title
Othello
Synopsis
Fiction film version of Othello, filmed mostly on location in Venice, with Ferruccio Garavaglia as Othello.
Country
Italy
Medium
Film
Technical information
Colour / Silent
Year of release
1909
Duration
12 mins; 1105 feet

Credits

Director
Gerolamo Lo Savio
Cast
Ferruccio GaravagliaOthello
Vittoria LepantoDesdemona
Cesare DondiniIago
Alberto NepotiMichael Cassio
A. PezzagliaDuke of Venice

Additional Details

Production type
Fiction Films
Plays
Othello; Titus Andronicus
Subjects
Drama
Keywords
Shakespeare, William (1564-1616)

Notes

Notes
The Library of Congress copy is 1037ft, has Russian intertitles, and was acquired from the AFI Gosfilmofond Collection.
General
The film was mostly shot on location in Venice. Some believe this to be the first film where an actual locale was used for a Shakespeare play.
History
The film was released in the United States April 20 1910 and distributed by Pathe.
Reviews
Bioscope (November 11 1909). The reviewer writes ‘If this is not exactly an ideally Shakespearean performance, it is at least vigorous. In any case, it seems to be rather a hopeless business to attempt a wordless Shakespearean performance...'.

Production Company

Name

Film d’Arte Italiana

Archive

Name

Library of Congress, Motion Picture, Broadcasting & Recorded Sound Division

Web
http://catalog.loc.gov/ External site opens in new window
Phone
(20) 707-8572
Fax
(20) 707-237’1
Address
Motion Picture & Television Reading Room
James Madison Building, LM 336
101 Independence Avenue, SE
Washington, D.C.
20540-4690
United States

Distributor

Name

Pathé Frères

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