I don't know an actor anywhere who made soliloquies work so well--he takes us right into his confidence, so we're un-indicted co-conspirators in the tragedy, and his shift from roly-poly clown to essence of Satanic force is something to see. If only his Othello (Anthony Hopkins at his most over-indulgent) had matched him!
Hopkins Othello was incredible. Where's the over indulgence? He's calm and reserved throughout the first two acts. Slowly edging into insecuriy and an emotional wreck in line with Iagos manipulations. Hopkins delivered a monumental performance.
The way the lines were given was brilliant, all the emotional ques seem just right, but that collar keeps bringing me out of the moment. I look at it, and all I can think is, "Wow, that looks uncomfortable."
CHRISTIAN ROWBOTHAM basically, Iago is hatching a plan for revenge since Othello promoted Cassio instead of him. He is going to manipulate Othello into thinking that Cassio is sleeping with his wife, Desdemona.
Thus do I ever make my fool my purse. For I mine own gained knowledge should profane If I would time expend with such a snipe But for my sport and profit. I hate the Moor, And it is thought abroad that ’twixt my sheets ’Has done my office. I know not if ’t be true, But I, for mere suspicion in that kind, Will do as if for surety. He holds me well. The better shall my purpose work on him. Cassio’s a proper man. Let me see now: To get his place and to plume up my will In double knavery-How? how?-Let’s see. After some time, to abuse Othello’s ear That he is too familiar with his wife. He hath a person and a smooth dispose To be suspected, framed to make women false. The Moor is of a free and open nature That thinks men honest that but seem to be so, And will as tenderly be led by th’ nose As asses are. I have ’t. It is engendered. Hell and night Must bring this monstrous birth to the world’s light.
I don’t think the fact that both shows were BBC Television productions from the 1980’s helps either. And technically speaking, he has a cunning plan that would make Baldrick blush. And he almost got away with it too, _if it weren’t for that meddling wife…_
They’re both great. Hoskins plays Iago in a more theatrical way ironically enough, where as Branagh goes for a much more natural approach. Both are tied for me as the best renditions of Iago, they have strengths and weaknesses, although I admit I slightly prefer Branagh overall.
I prefer Branagh. Too much of that chuckling from Hoskins; he even does it at the end of Act V Scene 1, after delivering "This is the night that either makes me or foredoes me quite". Totally inappropriate there.
Bob Hoskins is like a bomb about to go off. he seems he could snap and rip someones throat out at any second... which is why Bob is so eminently watchable. It's all in the eyes and the gritted teeth. Also, imagine Brannagh trying to pull of Hopkins' Harold Shand character from The Long Good Friday.
