OTHELLO 2014 DVD Release?

[Jack Falstaff]

A lot of you mention the cannes version, which I am dying to see. Any idea where I could grab a copy? In one of the comments I read something about the national library in Paris, but I'm guessing what they have is 35 mm reels (?)...

[Jeff Wilson]

Potentially exciting news, but I remain highly skeptical anything truly useful (i.e. other cuts of the film, or FILMING OTHELLO) are going to be included. Hopefully ARKADIN is coming before long as well, given the centenary.

[Le Chiffre]

Jeff, do you remember a 30-minute French documentary we had a link to here some years ago? I can't remember the title, but it seemed to take place largely near the ocean and contained a few snippets of Othello footage that were not in any version of the movie. I'd like to see it again if it's still online, but I can't find any mention of it on the message board. Of course, I'm not even sure what search bait might pull it up now, it's been so long.

Jack,
If Criterion doesn't include the '52 Cannes version as part of their package I may try and upload some of it. I don't want to step on their toes if they are planning to use it, though.

[Jeff Wilson]

Jeff, do you remember a 30-minute French documentary we had a link to here some years ago? I can't remember the title, but it seemed to take place largely near the ocean and contained a few snippets of Othello footage that were not in any version of the movie. I'd like to see it again if it's still online, but I can't find any mention of it on the message board. Of course, I'm not even sure what search bait might pull it up now, it's been so long.

Jack,
If Criterion doesn't include the '52 Cannes version as part of their package I may try and upload some of it. I don't want to step on their toes if they are planning to use it, though.

Sorry, Mike, it doesn't ring any bells. It could have been mentioned in a post that got lost at some point as well, regarding searching.

[Wellesnet]

From the Criterion message board's thread on Othello (http://www.criterionforum.org/forum/vie ... 1&start=25):

The different versions of Welles's Othello:

Martin:
1. 1952 Cannes version - not released on video
2. 1953 European theatrical release (could be the same as version 1) - not released on video but shown by BBC, May 1982
3. 1955 US (and UK) version - released on laserdisc by Criterion Collection
4. 1992 Restoration not approved by Beatrice Welles-Smith - unreleased
5. 1992 Restoration approved by Beatrice Welles-Smith (theatrical version) - released theatrically
6. 1992 Restoration approved by Beatrice Welles-Smith (video version with additional scene) - released on dvd by Second Sight, Image Entertainment etc.

Still according to Michael Anderegg: Orson Welles - Shakespeare and Popular Culture, New York, 1999.

*
Cagliostro:
Perhaps more of a curio than anything else, but there is also the Italian language version which Welles was obligated to produce for the Italian market as part of a financing deal that included some government funding.

According to Alberto Anile's Orson Welles in Italy, it was in fact this dubbed version that was shown at the world premiere of the film in Rome on November 29, 1951, and which was in general release in Italy before the presentation at Cannes in May of 1952. This version was also very nearly shown at the Venice Film Festival in August of 1951, according to Anile, after Welles realized he would be unable to finish work on the English version in time. Ultimately he withdrew from the festival altogether.

As with all things Welles there's always the possibility that there may be some variations in the editing. Or it may be essentially the version shown at Cannes but with a different soundtrack. François Thomas and Jean-Pierre Berthomé seem to suggest in Orson Welles at Work that it is a unique edit, even if only a provisory one as far as Welles was concerned.

Assuming it still exists, would definitely be a welcome bonus in a deluxe Criterion edition (one that also included Filming Othello and the 1952 version with the spoken credits, of course) . . . .

[Jack Falstaff]

Do we have any news regarding the 2015 Criterion release?

[Jack Falstaff]

LeChiffre,

Would you consider uploading the Cannes version to youtube just for wellesnet members?

[Wellesnet]

Here is the Venice section of the French-language version of "Othello". It is not that good of visual quality, but will give an idea of how the film was altered for it's American release:
https://vimeo.com/123415250

[alan smithee]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7APPdIxEXg

Here is the european version with original actors' voices.
Poor quality recording, but very rare.

[Jack Falstaff]

That's great! Thanks

[Wellesnet]

Thanks much, Alan.

[RayKelly]

Do we have any news regarding the 2015 Criterion release?

I spoke with one of the producers this week. I passed on a wish list of extras: The 1952 version of Othello, as well as the 1955 version, Return to Glennascaul and Filming Othello. I believe at least one Welles author has contacted Criterion offering expertise. They are not ready to announce extras or a firm release date.

[Dark Horse 77]

Do we have any news regarding the 2015 Criterion release?

I spoke with one of the producers this week. I passed on a wish list of extras: The 1952 version of Othello, as well as the 1955 version, Return to Glennascaul and Filming Othello. I believe at least one Welles author has contacted Criterion offering expertise. They are not ready to announce extras or a firm release date.

Great job letting them know how great the Criterion release could be. Fantastic list of possible extras.

[tonyw]

A new release of OTHELLO should have these extras that were on the LD version since they are indispensable. I'm running the film tomorrow night opening with the restoration, then a DVD of the LD and perhaps the recently unearthed French subititleversion. My mind seems to be reeling with these versions since I'd swear there are a few extra scenes of the Moor in Venice before his stunning canted angle mid-shot appearance before Hilton Edwards.