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First screened in August 2001 / Most recently screened in July 2025

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Director: Tim Blake Nelson. Cast: Mekhi Phifer, Josh Hartnett, Julia Stiles, Andrew Keegan, Elden Henson, Rain Phoenix, Martin Sheen, John Heard, Anthony "A.J." Johnson, Rachel Shumate, Christopher Jones. Screenplay: Brad Kaaya (based on the play Othello by William Shakespeare).

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Photo © 2001 Lionsgate/Dimension Films

In Brief: Less stylistically spry than other Shakespeare updates but it more than compensates with tension, intelligence, and commitment.

VOR: ③  Richer direction or a bit more room for exploration might have lifted this further, but it's a high mark in its genre. The best screen Othello?

Grade: B+

(grade in August 2001: A–)

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