Tim Blake Nelson's O and Oliver Parker's Othello

The Shakespeare classic play Othello has been remade many times throughout the years whether it be through the big screen or on stage. Two of the larger known recreations of the play were made by Tim Blake Nelson ("O") and Oliver Parker (Othello). Both of these directors attempted to appeal to an audience made up of different people. Parker attempted to appeal to Shakespeare lovers; Nelson went the route of appealing to the youth (much like the 1996 adaption of Romeo and Juliet). One of the constant ideas in either case is that the interpretation follows many of the original themes and ideas such as racism, misogyny, and jealousy. Both films take different approaches to recreate the play and in doing so have significant similarities and differences.

Oliver Parker takes Shakespeare's play and recreates it for the big screen, but stays true to the original plot to appeal mostly to those who appreciate Shakespeare's work. Although there had been scenes removed and scenes added in that were not in the actual play, Parker attempted to make the adaption of Othello more like a movie while still retaining critical details. For example, Parker used the vow between Iago and Othello in a more dramatic light by drawing attention to the fact that the two are growing closer with staging. According to Roger Ebert in a personal review. The play was not done due justice by Parker in part because Iago “in enlisting Roderigo to his conspiracy, [he] sets a tone and uses body language that reads as homosexual; he seems to be in a play of his own” (Ebert).

Meanwhile Nelson's version of Othello appeals to the youth by incorporating an aspect that would resonate with his target audience: high school. The entire setting is moved into a modernized...

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...afted (modernized or not), and the actors bring life to the characters that words may fail to normally, the movie is a successful adaptation. In this way, both “Othello” and "O" achieve these qualities despite their own personal shortcomings. Both have their own styles and there is a lot to give Parker and Nelson credit for, as Shakespeare's work is difficult to actually recreate or reimagine without dismantling it beyond recognition.

Works Cited

Bourne, Amanda. "The Movie or the Book Portfolio." Film Critique – Tim Blake Nelson’s "O". Marymount University, 21 Feb. 2013. Web. 14 Jan. 2014.

Ebert, Roger. "Othello." Ebert Digital LLC, 29 Dec. 1995. Web. 14 Jan. 2014.

Fassbender, Michael. "Oliver Parkers Othello." Humanities 360. HELIUM, INC, 21 Feb. 2011. Web. 14 Jan. 2014.

Yahoo Contributor. "Comparative Study Between Othello and O (Tim Blake Nelson's