BBC Shakespeare Collection: Othello

In 1978, the BBC set itself the task of filming all of William Shakespeare's plays for television. The resulting productions, renowned for their loyalty to the text, utilised the best theatrical and television directors and brought acclaimed performances from leading contemporary actors.

When the young Desdemona defies her father to marry Othello, the Moor of Venice seems to have everything – love, friendship, status and respect. But within Othello's great love for his bride lies the seeds of its own destruction. And, from his own ranks, comes the slighted Iago – a manipulative figure who is prepared to nurture the Moor's misgivings for this own interests ...

Jonathan Miller's magnificent production utilises the indubitable talents of Anthony Hopkins and Bob Hoskins in the lead roles of Shakespeare's theatrical masterpiece. Indeed Hopkins admitted, 'Othello is the part I've always most wanted to play.' Together they weave an increasingly tense web of manipulation, deception and jealousy on a tragic path to self-understanding.